Sainsbury's online travel money *warning*

M11k

Hi,

I don't normally resort to slating companies off on here but feel I need to offer a warning.

I ordered some cash to be delivered to home which was easy and arrived prompt, a good rate as well. BUT. . .

It came with 6x 100 euro notes! As well as 6x 50 euro notes!

I don't think many bars will be accepting 50's and 100's with much of a smile!

I called to be told basically tough.

I complained to receive an email back basically tough, they're legal. They refuse to change them for smaller notes, clearly they can, but don't want their local Bureau de Change stuck with them.

I asked in a bank, they'll change them at their buy back rate. Other bureau de changes refuse, I was told directly they'd be stuck with them, no-one wants them.

So unless anyone has any idea on here I'm stuck with them. Just thought I should offer a warning, because Sainsbury's don't, and no they won't let you choose your notes.

Mike

PeacefulWaters

I bet they built in a very average exchange rate too.

Transact when abroad next time.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/travel-credit-cards

Carrot007

Never had a problem with 50 euro notes anywhere I've been. Though all bar's accept cards, get with it! Just our backward country that declares a legel note unusable because apprently people who's job it is to determine if notes are legal, can't.

M11k

Thanks it's more the 100 euro notes I was concerned with!! And it was a good rate (staff discount my wife works there), by chance same rate as Halifax card at the time, I do use the Halifax card but always need some cash.

Would love to split the hundreds before I go!

Cheers

eDicky

I would be annoyed to be given more than two or three euro notes smaller than a 50. Large notes are less bulky to carry and easier to conceal, 100EUR notes not a problem to change. If you want twenties just take them from a ATM with your Clarity card, unlikely to be as good a rate at Sainsbury even with discount.

M11k

Thanks maybe I shouldn't be as concerned, as said I'm used to the UK moaning at anything bigger than a 20!

The rate I got was 1.1482, seemed about the best for cash to cash, no delivery charge.

bagand96

Would love to split the hundreds before I go!

But surely it's going to be easier to break the notes in a country that uses Euros as their currency, rather than a country that uses Pound Sterling as its currency....

photome

M11k wrote: »

Thanks maybe I shouldn't be as concerned, as said I'm used to the UK moaning at anything bigger than a 20!

The rate I got was 1.1482, seemed about the best for cash to cash, no delivery charge.

1.151 todays mastercard rate

For someone who uses a card abroad, why change 600 euros?

did you request particular notes

PeacefulWaters

M11k wrote: »

Thanks maybe I shouldn't be as concerned, as said I'm used to the UK moaning at anything bigger than a 20!

The rate I got was 1.1482, seemed about the best for cash to cash, no delivery charge.

To be fair, that's a very good rate and avoids any ATM / DCC / uncompetitive card fees.

M11k

photome wrote: »

1.151 todays mastercard rate

For someone who uses a card abroad, why change 600 euros?

did you request particular notes

There's four adults going, and one is going away twice, so it isn't that much cash.

The rates have gone up slightly yes from when I ordered them.

It maybe easier to change them abroad, just didn't want the hassle on holiday. Done say they'll accept them no issues, others have told me they've seen shops with signs up but accepting them.

peachyprice

Can't say I've ever had problems with €100 or €50 notes or even $100 or $50 notes, seems not everywhere in the world is as anal about accepting big notes as we are.

If you're really that bothered take them to a bank/bureau de change once you're there and ask them to exchange them for €20's.

And really, if there are 4 of you going you're not going to get much change out of €100 if you pay for food and drinks.