Changing Euros back at Post Office

alric

Looking online I couldnt see anywhere local to change my euros to stirling.
No banks here so tried the post office. Fortunately theyd change it.
Unfortunately their rate = 1.34
Whereas the current rate is 1.17
So just a warning, unless youre desperate try elsewhere

Sandtree

You can always use the MSE website tool to check your options too Travel Money: The best foreign exchange rates - Money Saving Expert 

1.175 is the best on offer today but you have to cover postage costs and so may not be better if you only have a small amount.

J_B

Where are you based?
I believe that 'big cities' have (or used to have) currency shops.

alric

nr peterborough

i see now that their rates are about 1.34 buy 1.12
15% is a lot!
i didnt see anywhere i could get a decent exchange rat without waiting a few days for post.
Id like to be able to  pay it into my bank and not get charged for exchange
Im sure i never paid anywhere near that rate when i lived in asia.

eDicky

The Post Office gives some of the worst rates available but people still queue up to use them, so why wouldn't they...

You're right, in Asia exchange rates for cash are much better value.

All I can say is that in future avoid exchanging cash, especially in UK, use fee-free 'travel' cards for payment and ATM cash, see the MSE info articles.

Sandtree

eDicky said:

All I can say is that in future avoid exchanging cash, especially in UK, use fee-free 'travel' cards for payment and ATM cash, see the MSE info articles.

In principle fully agree, and got my Starling account exactly for this, but would add three points of warning:

1) Do your research before leaving on this, in one trip to latin america the ATMs were asking for a national identity number which clearly I dont have being a tourist and so ATMs just couldnt be used.

2) Some ATMs will offer to do an exchange for you, with the likes of Starling this is something that should be rejected as they are unfavourable

3) Whilst fee free travel cards won't charge you that doesnt mean the ATM wont... where we are at the moment the fees are typically fixed amount but range from 50p to £3 per withdrawl depending on the bank and machine location so this can still add up if you are careless on your choice of machine and go for the "little and often" approach.

jimbo6977

You want a good cash exchange rate "near Peterborough". Eurochange offer €1.3=£1.