Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

Sixty six quid down on 500 Euros is outrageous!

However if Katex remembers the rate they were giving, but just didn't realise it was so poor, there's not a lot legally to be done.

With or without a receipt, that's the rate they said they were giving.

Different if they'd said, or advertised one rate, and given another.

They just rely on people passing through in a rush.



Never again.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

Nope, I dont think people will make the same mistake twice with things like this.

It puts a downer on a holiday when it happens and also if you are on a tight budget you would have to be more careful with money on holiday rather than splashing out a little.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

They are total rip offs.

You'd get a better rate using a card in a cash machine when you got to your arrival airport.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

Thats what I did last time I were abroad.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

I've done it myself...once.

When I was in a last minute rush, and didn't have time to get currency from my normal supplier.

It was only later that I realised how pish poor a rate I'd gotten at Gatwick airport.

Thankfully I was going to an African country, who put a very low limit on how much of their currency you could take in.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

That's pretty dammed poor, these money grabbing sods.
I always use cash machines for currency, in my job you don't have much choice really!
If it helps for next time, if you have a smart phone, you can download the XE Currency Calculator, it gives you the current rate and converts any amount you input.
It's also free, a must for those of us who travel abroad a lot.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

I know .. has been suggested about the cash machines, but I am reliant on my friends running me into town and would need to draw more than the limit to give them my bed and board, so to speak. Like to get it out of the way. I know you could lose a few pounds by not looking around, but worth the headache, but this is a blooming migraine.. :eek:

Do you know which Exchange Bureau is the one that is at the bottom of the slope after security into the Departure Lounge, on your right ... a long one against the wall ? Travelex or Currency Exchange ? Terminal 1.

I still feel they made a mistake.

They had a deal with Monarch BTW on no commission.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

katex, the commission/no commission is a seperate charge. If you go for 'no commission' you get a slightly poorer rate(thats how they get it back).
They've given you about 0.975 euros to the pound- a rip off but I'm afraid that's typical of the MUCH poorer rate you get at the airport. They did quote you 0.98 so they haven't fiddled you-just ripped you off.
Surprising what a difference it made!

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

Can't accept that the difference would be over £70 !!... less if commission, but still not a huge difference. They would never do any exchanges .. not everybody was as vulnerable as me that day.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

I always take just enough euros to last 24 hrs or so, cos always get a better rate in Spain from all exchange dealers yon,shop around them n get best rate yon is what i do. normally i bring euros back fer next time so never use these shylocks here.;)

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

katex,I couldn't believe it myself, I had to recheck that what looks like a small difference could make such a big difference and my maths is rusty.

But they offered you 0.98, you expected 1.14. That's 0.16 euros less for every pound x£506=£80.96. That's the extra they charged you for 500 euros more than you would pay at the Post Office-they'd have given you 577 euros for £506.
You ARE vunerable at the airport- they know they've got you. Unless you're using company expenses or caught out no-one uses them-I bet you weren't in a queue.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

And another thing, Gordon .. just checked my bank statement (ok .. came to me after a brain rest) .. they charged me £4.50 for transaction; the total being £512.89 !!!!!!!!!!!

It was Currency Express. Trying to find contact number now.

Ok .. know you are all going on about what you do, but this is about me, me, me ... :D:D

This CANNOT be correct. Puff, pant. Exhale. It's never been this large a gap before.:confused:

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

Hun, they do.

They just rely on people being a captive market once you're in the airport.

People do use them.

They're there, it's easy, and people are usually stressed/rushed/wondering if the cash machine will be working where they're going.

I bet my bottom Euro it's all above board.

The rate they charge will be displayed, and would have been on the receipt.

Morally abhorrent, but I'm afraid not illegal.

I am really sorry. Percentage wise it's a massive amount to lose.

If you complain, give 'em hell. You never know.

Good luck. x

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

Did you pay by card?

That's probably the £4.50 transaction charge.

Re: Rate of Exchange.
 

These Bureau de Change at airports are like the motorway services.......they charge over the odds because they know you can't do anything about it..........they rely on the fact that you are in need of a service, which they provide, at an exorbitant cost.

Kate, I think you will have to put it down to being an expensive lesson.........I can't see you getting anywhere with them, as I am sure their terms would have been on the receipt(maybe in print only a microscope could see). Good luck anyway.