Large amount of cash euros

chattychappy

It's a tough question to answer.

Some years ago, I needed a large amount of USD. I went around the private Bureaux de Change in London and got a good deal off several of them - pretty much the interbank rate. The reason being that the bulk of their transactions are the other way - ie USD to GBP for tourists so they always had a surplus of USD which they had to bank and pay fees on.

If the OP lives near a touristy area, then perhaps he could phone a few and see if they will do a deal.

Alternatively explain to the dealer the difficulty of getting large amounts of Euro cash and ask if THEY have any ideas. Perhaps they might even take GBP at an agreed rate rather than lose the deal.

Here is an anecdote about cash and Germans.

I wanted to buy a Rimowa suitcase. Rimowa effectively fix prices, but there is a famous dealer in Munich where they offer a discount for cash. Unfortunately they didn't have the model I wanted. On departure, I saw the one I wanted at the luggage shop in the airport. Something like 750 Euros. When I asked about it, they shop assistants told me it was very expensive and that I should buy from the dealer in city where it was cheaper if I paid cash. I suggested to them that perhaps they could discount for cash. Not allowed they joked. Only if I was airline staff could they do a discount. Well I'm not. So then they brought out this form and filled it in. They asked me to sign to say I was airline staff. I was uncomfortable with this, so they spoke to each other in German and one of them signed "my box" and they signed to say they had seen my lufthansa badge. They rang up the amount on the till and I got my card out. As I was typing in the PIN, one of them said "wait" and they had another discussion. They decided it would be "safer" if I paid in cash, so I paid cash. Then they carefully wrote out and stamped a cash receipt from a pad and stamped a warranty card. Both had my name on. They said they wanted to do everything properly and joked that they were Germans so had to follow the rules.... And they asked me not to tell anyone!

bd10

Personally, I would pay the dealer not in cash. Never mind what the seller wants. Yes, Germany is lots more cash-based than other countries, but that is what you see at the supermarket check-out. Larger items and esp. above 1k would not be paid in cash unless one party has an ulterior motive (tax evasion, money laundering, etc.). If I were to enter into a transaction with the counterpart insisting on cash only, I'd pull out.
All that aside, there are exchange controls in place as mentioned above.

agrinnall

Cash controls - New proposal

If you plan to enter or leave the EU with € 10 000 or more in cash, you must declare it to customs.
In this section, you will read more about the rules about travelling with large amounts of cash.
2016 proposal

On 21 December 2016, the European Commission proposed new rules on cash controls.
After discussions between the Council, Parliament and the Commission, the Council and Parliament provisionally agreed on the proposed text on May 23 of 2018.
On October 2 of 2018, the Council formally adopted the proposed text.


https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/cash-controls_en

System

Can we not just save a lot of hassle here.
Find another camper van. One that doesn't expect cash payment.

chattychappy

agrinnall wrote: »

Cash controls - New proposal

If you plan to enter or leave the EU with € 10 000 or more in cash, you must declare it to customs.
In this section, you will read more about the rules about travelling with large amounts of cash.
2016 proposal

On 21 December 2016, the European Commission proposed new rules on cash controls.
After discussions between the Council, Parliament and the Commission, the Council and Parliament provisionally agreed on the proposed text on May 23 of 2018.
On October 2 of 2018, the Council formally adopted the proposed text.


https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/cash-controls_en

For the time being, at least, the UK remains in the EU so this wouldn't affect the OP.

Incidentally, if travelling in/out of the EU you are still allowed to carry large amounts of cash. You just need to declare it and, if required be able to answer questions concerning it's origin.

Cisco001

Can you do by bank transfer?

there is a risk of getting mugged if someone knew you carry 21k euro...