Buying euros
Mar 18th, 2008, 04:55 AM
#2
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Search this forum for the hundreds of other threads on currency. Most of us recommend just using a card & getting cash from ATMs as you go. It must be at least 15 years since I took currency or travellers' cheques with me.
Mar 18th, 2008, 05:45 AM
#3
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We purchase them from Bank of America as fortunately they have their main branch located where we live. Personally we prefer bringing some euro to have on hand so we don't need to spend time at the ATM. Like I said it's just a personal choice for us to do this.
Mar 18th, 2008, 05:55 AM
#4
depends totally on how € many your are talking about.
Just maybe €50-€100 to tide you over - you can get them from your bank or another major bank in your hometown. Or even easier usually - just buy them at your departure airport.
If you mean a lot of cash - forget about it - use your ATM card in Europe. That will get you, by far, the best exchange rates.
Just maybe €50-€100 to tide you over - you can get them from your bank or another major bank in your hometown. Or even easier usually - just buy them at your departure airport.
If you mean a lot of cash - forget about it - use your ATM card in Europe. That will get you, by far, the best exchange rates.
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:31 AM
#5
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Hi J,
You will pay a large premium to buy E in the US.
The cheapest way is to get them at ATMs in Europe.
Many folks get $150 worth of E at the departure airport. This will cost about $7 more than if you wait until you get to Europe.
How many E do you need?
You will pay a large premium to buy E in the US.
The cheapest way is to get them at ATMs in Europe.
Many folks get $150 worth of E at the departure airport. This will cost about $7 more than if you wait until you get to Europe.
How many E do you need?
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:42 AM
#6
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Thanks again, everyone. It sounds like it's preferable to get them at an ATM in Spain. But I'd like to have several hundred in hand, for cabs, etc, when we get there. Has anyone bought them on eBay? $163 for 100 euros. But -- are their risks?
Mar 18th, 2008, 06:50 AM
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ebay may not be a bad option - especially for just $1 or free shipping. Is $163 the final winning bid price, or simply the current high bid with time left? Many bidders play the last minute (or second) bidding game, so don't be surprised if that $163 turns into $170 or more when all is final.
Mar 18th, 2008, 07:01 AM
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The posters that tell you to wait and get it there out of the atm's are right,it's much cheaper and you won't need any euro's until you're there anyhow and we didn't find any long lines at the atm's a person or so sometimes. The atm's in the airport are safe and work well.
We did have an interesting experience in the city though, I went to an atm in front of a money exchange place and neither of my debit cards would work, I had a debit master card and a debit visa, I went to the cashier to inquire as to what was wrong and she said don't know but can sell you some for a ridiculous fee plus a much higher exchange rate, that was the last time I tried any atm at any of those places. Find a bank and use their atm easy and works like a charm.
We did have an interesting experience in the city though, I went to an atm in front of a money exchange place and neither of my debit cards would work, I had a debit master card and a debit visa, I went to the cashier to inquire as to what was wrong and she said don't know but can sell you some for a ridiculous fee plus a much higher exchange rate, that was the last time I tried any atm at any of those places. Find a bank and use their atm easy and works like a charm.
Mar 18th, 2008, 08:01 AM
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"But I'd like to have several hundred in hand, for cabs, etc, when we get there." - several hundred ??? Anyway, there are invariably ATMs at your arrival airport - just get them there. If by any bizarre chance (it's never happened to me) they are all out of order, get the taxi driver to stop at one en route. Like you would at home ?
Mar 18th, 2008, 08:36 AM
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What if I need 700+E to pay for the rent+deposit upon arrival at the apartment? Will any ATM in Paris allow me to withdraw that much money? Is it better to buy euro from the local banks here or at the US airport? I've seen foreign exchange stores in the malls. Is it cheaper to buy from them?
Mar 18th, 2008, 08:40 AM
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<i>You will pay a large premium to buy E in the US</i>
Not always and , like so much in life, it depends.
If you belong to a large bank and have easy access to their central branches in large east coast cites (e.g. NY, DC, Boston, etc.), your bank may have Euros on hand for you at no cost and at the going exchange rate. This was case for Suntrust Bank in DC for me. It depends on where you are, what bank (and branch), what level of customer you are, etc.
jherbert, Where are you?
Not always and , like so much in life, it depends.
If you belong to a large bank and have easy access to their central branches in large east coast cites (e.g. NY, DC, Boston, etc.), your bank may have Euros on hand for you at no cost and at the going exchange rate. This was case for Suntrust Bank in DC for me. It depends on where you are, what bank (and branch), what level of customer you are, etc.
jherbert, Where are you?
Mar 18th, 2008, 09:55 AM
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Are you maybe thinking that buying euros in the US before your trip would save money over an ATM withdrawal on arrival, when the dollar might be--shudder--lower? There are cooler heads than mine on this board who can weigh in on this, but I would think in part it would depend on how far off your trip is.
Mar 18th, 2008, 10:59 AM
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The Euro is a European currency. Any time you convert USA dollars to Euros you must pay the cost of that conversion. The more steps/intermediaries in the process the higher your cost. Money values change hourly! You do not need them in the USA. Wait until you get to your European destination. You can deal with USA dollars. Either buy Euros at the destination airport or access your checking account with an ATM. Read a newspaper...see what today's rate is. Caution do not deal with street touts.
Mar 18th, 2008, 12:22 PM
#18
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Hi,
Thanks again, everyone. I just ordered 160 E from Citibank, which cost $268. I didn't think about an ATM at the airport in Barcelona, but after an overnight flight I could probably screw up that transaction. The bank said they charge 2% for an ATM transaction. Will see...
Jim H
Thanks again, everyone. I just ordered 160 E from Citibank, which cost $268. I didn't think about an ATM at the airport in Barcelona, but after an overnight flight I could probably screw up that transaction. The bank said they charge 2% for an ATM transaction. Will see...
Jim H
Mar 18th, 2008, 12:34 PM
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Franopile03, if youre still on, I have a question for you. How much did bank of america charge you to change your money over? I'm using them for my upcoming trip.I want to see if the bank in San Fransisco can do it for me before I leave.
Thanks
Thanks
