Bad experience at Sainsburys Travel Money

barnehurst

I bought 300 euros online at Sainsburys Travel Money.

I then took a 1 hour bus journey to pick up the euros at nearest store

Staff refused to give me my travel money, despite me showing my passport and payment card. Went home empty handed

Apparently Sainsbury (unlike any other bureau de change) insist on hanging onto the customer's money for a period of time, before exchange. Although they do not tell you this.

I was travelling the next day, so had to use an expensive airport exchange (which of course was instant exchange) and returned to useless Euros.

Managers at Sainbury were completely unsympathetic

So its a warning to anyone thinking of using Sainsbury's Travel Money

Nasqueron

barnehurst said:

I bought 300 euros online at Sainsburys Travel Money.

I then took a 1 hour bus journey to pick up the euros at nearest store

Staff refused to give me my travel money, despite me showing my passport and payment card. Went home empty handed

Apparently Sainsbury (unlike any other bureau de change) insist on hanging onto the customer's money for a period of time, before exchange. Although they do not tell you this.

I was travelling the next day, so had to use an expensive airport exchange (which of course was instant exchange) and returned to useless Euros.

Managers at Sainbury were completely unsympathetic

So its a warning to anyone thinking of using Sainsbury's Travel Money

What time did you order and then collect?

Their site states that you can order Euros for same day collection Mon-Fri provided you do it 4 hours before the bureau closing time (as they need 4 hour notice) - information per their website

eskbanker

barnehurst said:

Apparently Sainsbury (unlike any other bureau de change) insist on hanging onto the customer's money for a period of time, before exchange. Although they do not tell you this.

I don't think it's unusual, at least some other BdCs do the same for online orders - I know Tesco do, and make it clear when ordering.

elsien

From their website:

If you choose to place an order for collection, you can order up to 14 days in advance from today. You can order Euros and US Dollars for same day collection, 4 hours after order confirmation if within bureau opening hours. The earliest collection date available will be selectable after you have entered your currency and collection location on the order screen.

So was it four hours after ordering or did you get on the bus and go there straight away? 

Stubod

..please don't confuse the op with the facts....it's not dramatic enough....