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Post Office currency puchase
Off on holiday next week so popped into my local post Office to buy some Euros. €200 was £192. Thought about this today and checked the rate 1.04. Went to the Post Office online and put in €200 Euros price was £178. £14 cheaper.
Popped back to post office and chatted to the lady and she explained yes that's correct and rate today is 1.04 v 1.12, if you come in off the street you are seen as a 'convenience' buyer (last minute) and therefore given the lower rate. So I could have ordered the Euros online, waited a few hours/1 day, gone to the same Post Office and collected my Euros and saved £14.00.
Nowhere in the shop does it show the exchange rate (of any currency) nor what the equivalent online rate is.
Post Office yet again pulling a fast one on customers.
Lesson learnt, buy online a few days before and save money.
Comments
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When my husband asked our local postmaster about buying currency he advised him to do it online as he would get a better deal.
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That's not Post Office-specific, you'll get better rates from any bureau de change if ordering online in advance rather than paying walk-up spot rates on the day.
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Not really that different to Tesco having Clubcard rates, M&S Sparks rates, John Lewis having Partnership Card rates, Sainsburys Nectar rates etc etc.
Haven't looked at exactly what the "loyalty" rate is worth, but every little helps….
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You are obviously not a regular traveller otherwise you would not be surprised with this as it's quite normal.
To make you feel better just go and check the rates at the airport when you get there, you will feel so much better off.
Enjoy your holiday and forget about it.
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"Nowhere in the shop does it show the exchange rate (of any currency) nor what the equivalent online rate is."
Our local Post Office shops have a sign up showing "live" selling and buying rates for popular currencies purchased in store.
They don't advertise online rates as they are more favourable and would obviously dissuade walk in customers.
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