Post Office currency puchase

gwynfryn

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.

sheramber

When my husband asked our local postmaster about buying currency he advised him to do it online as he would get a better deal.

eskbanker

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.

flaneurs_lobster

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….