Roce48

The answer is still that no one right now using Fodor's Forum has the answer to my question; they only have answers to why I should not use them, and good ways to get great rates.

I appreciate the help, and will be ordering the Euros I need ahead of time to pay for my apartment when I get there since they want cash or Monet Orders etc.

Any other suggestions for great ways to get cash? One time i went to the currency Post Office there , and they would not exhange my 50 dollar bills; only 20 dollar bills. I had to run to they bank.

Thanks again

hetismij

You would struggle to find a Post Office here nowadays. They are all closing.

The best way to get cash has already been stated here numerous times - ATMs.

Many banks don't even have Euros in stock and so won't exchange your $$. You may find a machine in some banks that will do it, but the rates won't be brilliant.

The Dutch use very little cash - we pay for most things with debit cards, and there is even a campaign to get us to pay for even small sums electronically. I rarely have any cash on me.

wellididntknowthat

>The answer is still that no one right now using Fodor's Forum has the answer to my question; they only have answers to why I should not use them, and good ways to get great rates. <

What more do you want than the website of the actual exchange office with its location and currency converter based on current rates? By the way a simple google of Amsterdam Currency Exchange would have given you the answer in seconds.

janisj

OK "<i>So, the answer is that no one yet is actually able to tell me from first hand recent experience what I would get from one of the cash currency exchange places along Damrak. Right?</i>"

and

"<i>The answer is still that no one right now using Fodor's Forum has the answer to my question;</i>"

Even IF someone did exchange currency at that location on that day -- why would you trust his/her info, since s/he is obviously not the sharpest tool in the drawer.

Most of us posting here/trying to help -- wouldn't exchange currency there unless it was a real emergency of some kind. Using an ATM is the best/cheapest/safest way to get cash. If you insist otherwise -- that is your choice. But don't be annoyed that no one can answer your specific question (though wellididntknowthat's link pretty much covers things)

kybourbon

No one can say what the rate would be when you are there since it fluctuates constantly. It's not just people on Fodor's that can't tell you what a rate would be at some random future date, but even the actual exchange place you mentioned can't tell you a future rate.

Gretchen

I guess a "Monet order" (sic) is a really beautiful impressionist view of a bank check. LOL

The inability to take the advice given and given and given is stunning. YOU couldn't exchange dollars the last time. Isn't that a clue that it isn't the best thing to bring.
Your paying for the apartment with pre-purchased Euros is probably best unless you arrange with your bank for large ATM withdrawals. You NEED an ATM card.

Dukey

IMO the REAL problem here is not being able to figure out what seems to be true both in Europe AND in the US:

low or no commission=poor(er) exchange rate
"good" exchange rate=high commission charges

Roce48

Final Note from poster

FYI

For those of you that have insinuated that I am stupid or inexperienced; I do use my debit card to get Euros from my accounts from ATMs while traveling throughout Europe, and am quite knowledgeable about currency exchange ins and outs, commissions, and fees.

For those of you that took the time to help me and suggest ways to save money instead of telling everyone how savy you are, thank you.

Yes, I on occassion will use cash exchange places , but this is not very often.

A few responses seemed very pompus and self-flattering heralding their being too savy to use cash exchange businesses. Give me a break!! We are not talking thousands of dollars. I see many people at these businesses cashing their travelers checks etc, AND DO realize that they are not getting the best for their dollar; but I refrain from insulting them.

Again, my simple question (realizing that rates change daily)was has anyone recently used one and what did they got for their exchange.

For my curiosity, I was simply curious to know what someone received for their dollar.

spaarne

Final note from one of those very pompus and self-flattering respondents:

<i>Again, my simple question (realizing that rates change daily)was has anyone recently used one and what did they got for their exchange.</i>

Why do you repeatedly ask a meaningless question when you already know that any answer will be equally meaningless?

charnees

It's interesting to me that the OP admits he rarely uses the money exchange, and then for only small amounts! So why is he straining at gnats?

But he's not coming back, I guess.

hetismij

If you had followed WIDKT's link you would know without having to keep hammering on about it here.

pauljagman

I think the OP is just trying to argue with any one replying to his post. There is no right or wrong answer to his question.

So in response I hypothetically recd 76.33 euro for my $100 US in Amsterdam on my recent trip. Well.... actually I never got there but what the heck. I can always dream.

Have a great trip if you go.