currency in Italy
. Is it different where you live?
Apr 14th, 2007, 01:25 PM
#22
mercy: My guess is the $5 fee at your credit union is in addition to a fairly bad exchange rate. How much did you pay per € ?
If you paid close to the interbank rate, that is a very good deal . . . . .
If you paid close to the interbank rate, that is a very good deal . . . . .
Apr 14th, 2007, 02:30 PM
#23
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The idea to see if the landlord will accept travelers checks in euros is a good one -- but only if you don't mind paying between 4 and 7 % to buy them in the US, unless someone knows a better source than I do.
I see numerous references to only paying a small fee to get euro or euro TC's in advance, but until you tell us the exchange rate you paid, the fee means nothing. The rate of exchange is often anywhere up to 10% over the bank rate (the rate you'd be getting at a European ATM.
I see numerous references to only paying a small fee to get euro or euro TC's in advance, but until you tell us the exchange rate you paid, the fee means nothing. The rate of exchange is often anywhere up to 10% over the bank rate (the rate you'd be getting at a European ATM.
Apr 14th, 2007, 04:54 PM
#24
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ATM-ing it is always way cheaper for me, but then I'm a lowly student and don't go through much money at a time 
.
The problem is knowing when you'll be able to find an ATM. some of those machines hate my card, others are no problem. Some I don't like to use because of a crowd of scraggly-looking bums seems ready to mob me the second cash gets into my hand.
My dad likes to exchange cash at the American Express office before leaving the states, and even if that is a teensy bit more expensive, peace of mind is worth at least some of that.
. The problem is knowing when you'll be able to find an ATM. some of those machines hate my card, others are no problem. Some I don't like to use because of a crowd of scraggly-looking bums seems ready to mob me the second cash gets into my hand.
My dad likes to exchange cash at the American Express office before leaving the states, and even if that is a teensy bit more expensive, peace of mind is worth at least some of that.
Apr 14th, 2007, 05:23 PM
#26
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"Some I don't like to use because of a crowd of scraggly-looking bums seems ready to mob me the second cash gets into my hand."
Insane-is this experience specific to Rome and Italy, or Europe in general? Did this group of "bums" in fact mob you once you had cash in hand? Funny, I have used ATMs countless times in all manner of locations in Europe, but particularly Italy, all over Napoli this past September, and I've never experienced a "crowd of scraggly looking bums" as you so succinctly put it, anywhere. Could this be a slight exaggeration? It sounds a bit insane to me, insane.
Insane-is this experience specific to Rome and Italy, or Europe in general? Did this group of "bums" in fact mob you once you had cash in hand? Funny, I have used ATMs countless times in all manner of locations in Europe, but particularly Italy, all over Napoli this past September, and I've never experienced a "crowd of scraggly looking bums" as you so succinctly put it, anywhere. Could this be a slight exaggeration? It sounds a bit insane to me, insane.
Apr 22nd, 2007, 08:19 PM
#27
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TO: Janisi RE: Euros from my Credit Union.
Sorry--somehow, I missed your question about the exchange rate I got. These messages go by so fast. Anyway, the rate was $1.38 and the bank rate at the time was about $1.35. Not great--but having them in hand when I arrived was worth any extra. Especially since we were going on to Palermo, and I needed to have euros to pay for the airport shuttle.
I did use my credit card to pay for items at the Vatican. It was charged in Euros and came out to $1.36 euro, plus the $2.53 exchange fee.
I did not feel any of the charges were out of line--convenience counts for something. I brought 100 euros home, which my husband bought from me @ $1.38 and we will use them on our trip to Croatia this fall. ciao!!mhm
Sorry--somehow, I missed your question about the exchange rate I got. These messages go by so fast. Anyway, the rate was $1.38 and the bank rate at the time was about $1.35. Not great--but having them in hand when I arrived was worth any extra. Especially since we were going on to Palermo, and I needed to have euros to pay for the airport shuttle.
I did use my credit card to pay for items at the Vatican. It was charged in Euros and came out to $1.36 euro, plus the $2.53 exchange fee.
I did not feel any of the charges were out of line--convenience counts for something. I brought 100 euros home, which my husband bought from me @ $1.38 and we will use them on our trip to Croatia this fall. ciao!!mhm
Apr 23rd, 2007, 04:34 AM
#28
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So, what happened to the OP?
>I still could not find a machine that would dispense more than 250.00 or 300.00 at one time.<
Reinsert card. Repeat until machine runs out of money or you reach your limit.
>I still could not find a machine that would dispense more than 250.00 or 300.00 at one time.<
Reinsert card. Repeat until machine runs out of money or you reach your limit.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 04:42 AM
#29
mercy: That was actually quite a good rate for getting €. Sounds like another good benefit from credit unions. (why doesn't everyone use them?? )
My own CU doesn't charge for using out-of-system ATMs. But it doesn't offer foreign currency. (neither does my regional bank BTW)
My own CU doesn't charge for using out-of-system ATMs. But it doesn't offer foreign currency. (neither does my regional bank BTW)
Apr 23rd, 2007, 04:56 AM
#30
OH - to clarify I didn't mean "why doesn't everyone use CUs <u>to get currency</u>" (except maybe for special circumstances)
Was just wondering why more people don't join CUs - in general the benefits are better than from banks.
Was just wondering why more people don't join CUs - in general the benefits are better than from banks.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 05:41 AM
#31
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The only credit union I'm aware of in our town is for school employees only. Not available to the public.
And it also doesn't deal in foreign currency, not do their ATM cards work in foreign ATMs.
And it also doesn't deal in foreign currency, not do their ATM cards work in foreign ATMs.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 06:37 AM
#32
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Patrick,
Re CU membership you might be surprised how many CU's have opened up their prospective membership.
Where I live the rules used to be "works for company ABC", now it's anyone who lives, works, worships in (or who has ever visited) the county.
Re CU membership you might be surprised how many CU's have opened up their prospective membership.
Where I live the rules used to be "works for company ABC", now it's anyone who lives, works, worships in (or who has ever visited) the county.
Apr 23rd, 2007, 07:42 AM
#33
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It is true that most, if not all, CUs have expanded their membership rules and are open to almost anyone. As far as "dealing in foreign currency"--I think that any CU can order foreign currency from "somewhere"--I would suspect a larger banking institution. It took 4-5 days to get mine. I don't have a CU ATM card, so cannot comment on its use, however. Ciao. mhm
Apr 23rd, 2007, 08:33 AM
#34
I Know the rules are different in different states - don't know how prevelant CUs are in Florida.
But here in CA there are MANY that were originally for state/local gov't employees, Fed ee's, military, telephone company ee's, teachers, farmers, and many other "classes". But years ago the memberships opened to all relatives of above, and then to anyone in the geopraphic area, and finally to everyone. We have more chartered CUs than banks . . . . though the memberships are still small compared to bank customers . . . .
But here in CA there are MANY that were originally for state/local gov't employees, Fed ee's, military, telephone company ee's, teachers, farmers, and many other "classes". But years ago the memberships opened to all relatives of above, and then to anyone in the geopraphic area, and finally to everyone. We have more chartered CUs than banks . . . . though the memberships are still small compared to bank customers . . . .
Apr 23rd, 2007, 09:19 AM
#35
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I guess I'm a little confused. I called the only credit union here just about a month ago and they stated that it is only open to school employees and their families -- so I really don't care what happens elsewhere or how common they are in other cities or states. And since they don't deal in foreign currency, why would I have them order some from a bank, when I could do that myself. Surely they wouldn't "eat" the charge the bank made?
I'm not trying to be difficult here, but just saying that a credit union is clearly NOT the way for me to go.
I'm not trying to be difficult here, but just saying that a credit union is clearly NOT the way for me to go.
