San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: spikeyb on May 30, 2012, 11:31:03 PM

Title: exchange rate
Post by: spikeyb on May 30, 2012, 11:31:03 PM
Can anyone tell me what the current exchange rate is in san stefanos
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: YANNIS26 on May 31, 2012, 12:27:28 PM
Can anyone tell me what the current exchange rate is in san stefanos
I do not know the present exchange rate in San Stefanos but I can give you the following information.
The rate in San Stefanos is on average 2 points above the best rate you can get in the U.K.
For example 1.20 in UK = 1.22 in San Stefanos.
The thing to remember is in San Stefanos you usually pay 2% commission which makes both options pretty much the same.
The UK rate I have quoted is where you obtain it without paying commission.One way of doing this is using the Post Office Online and using a post office credit card that does not charge commission on foriegn currency exchange.
Do not be fooled by claims in the UK high street saying it is commission free as they reduce the rates to counteract this.
Please note that exchanges in San Stefanos are for cash transactions.I am not sure if the Greek financial problems will effect them.
You can check out the best UK rates on moneysupermarket.com.
I hope this helps.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on May 31, 2012, 04:32:54 PM
€1.2112 today in the post office
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: IrisG on May 31, 2012, 04:39:11 PM
Thomas Cook phoned yesterday to say they were offering 1.24.
Too late, now, though, we've already got ours.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on May 31, 2012, 04:49:01 PM
Martins Money tips say ice give the best rates, 2 points higher than all the rest today.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on May 31, 2012, 06:39:06 PM
Ice are usually best. They are also VERY nice to deal with.

I bought £500 last week at 1.2200 - a few hours later it went up to 1.2275  - damnation! Currently 1.2194

Anything over 1.22 is great compared to last year!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on May 31, 2012, 07:33:11 PM
I have £1200 waiting to change to Euros, they seem to have stalled a touch!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on May 31, 2012, 09:25:56 PM
If it goes up to about 1.2250 again I'll get some more - but in general I'll wait until June 16/17 when nerves will be most affecting the Euro.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on June 01, 2012, 01:55:29 AM
With you there Jim, I think it may go up for a day at least.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on June 01, 2012, 02:26:13 AM
It's mad. Ice is now 1.2230

That's a big difference from this morning. If you want to catch this at the peak you'd need to be checking hourly almost.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on June 02, 2012, 10:38:36 PM
Well I am going to miss the chance this week.

Off on Monday for a week at Camber Sands with the Grand-children, so We are going to be busy!

Then  - - - - 3 weeks and a bit later - - - - Corfu!!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: brianbarnes on June 03, 2012, 08:14:36 PM
we got 1.21 at the post office yesterday £100 = 120 Euros :)
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Tredegar Boy on June 04, 2012, 12:05:24 AM
Ice are good but I found TravelFX much better.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on June 04, 2012, 03:53:09 AM
it seems to be holding around there - so maybe a wobble in mid june!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Gillywoo on June 06, 2012, 11:44:59 PM
The pound is on the slide this week, Thomas Cook has dropped 2 cents to 1.18 so I changed mine with the Post Office and got exactly 1.20.

O.K. it might go up but I couldnt afford the risk of it dropping further.

1.20 is still good compared to the last few years but if the Euro crises does ease then the rate could nose dive quickly.

Andy
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Tredegar Boy on June 07, 2012, 12:13:19 AM
As I type TravelFX are offering 1.2181, their lowest rate for sometime. They were at 1.23 last week which is excellent.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on June 07, 2012, 01:01:59 AM
I don't see any signs of Merlin waving his magic wand over the Eurozone any time soon! Headless chickens seems to be an understatement. Still, all will be well tomorrow when Cameron goes to Berlin and tells Merkel how to sort it out, which will probably be the first time we've seen Mrs Merkel laugh out loud for a long time. She may mutter "seine Meinung völlig ändern," which is the German for U-turn.

Rate went up a bit today - currently Ice is 1.2141 and TravelFX 1.2181

Apparently - according to probably unreliable web sources - Greek Euro notes have almost vanished. The serial number on these will start with a Y (upsilon). This has fuelled speculation that the Bank of Greece is keeping all Greek notes ready for over-printing, or that they've run out of ink! If you check your notes they are most likely to start with X, which is Germany. Then, of course, De La Rue (UK company which prints vast amounts of currencies) has refused to comment on reports that it's already printing Drachmas.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Richard/Jackie/Nathan on June 07, 2012, 12:00:21 PM
I am changing £200 for Euros today and taking the rest in sterling to exchange over there, not bothering with travellers cheques as only for a week.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: rilo57 on June 07, 2012, 12:05:52 PM
We tend to find we get a better rate useing the hole in the wall..
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Gavlah1973 on June 07, 2012, 12:10:20 PM
Yes but the problem will be Rilo, that there may be no money coming out of the hole in the wall if it all goes belly up!!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: rilo57 on June 07, 2012, 01:18:33 PM
 yep, thats well true.wasent thinking.im living in Belgium, so euro no problem its when im in the uk i use the cash machines.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Lesley on June 07, 2012, 09:14:54 PM
Sorry Gavlah we have to stop this scaremongering the  money comes out the wall..........please please do not believe what you read in the media, we have food, water,petrol,electicrity and money here.....and we welcome our visitors with open arms as always......... and if 2morrow we trade in chocolate buttons that will come out of the wall too.............
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Sellsy on June 07, 2012, 09:39:52 PM
1.20 starting to be harder to find now, managed to get this on the high street at a travel agents. Post office down to 1.185 if memory serves, many travel agents around this mark also. Quite happy with 1.20, of course the pound will now rally again and I will be clicking away on the calculator to work out my losses! May need to invest in aviation fuel to offset! Anyhow my few quid will soon be in the tills of San Stef, so whatever the rate, jobs a gud un. 
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 07, 2012, 09:41:57 PM
Sorry Gavlah we have to stop this scaremongering the  money comes out the wall..........please please do not believe what you read in the media, we have food, water,petrol,electicrity and money here.....and we welcome our visitors with open arms as always......... and if 2morrow we trade in chocolate buttons that will come out of the wall too.............
I agree with you Lesley.Some of the things I have read on the forum lately regarding the Greek Economy would put a lot of people off coming to San Stefanos.This from people who class the local people as friends..The old saying rings true.With friends like that who needs enemies.
I do not want this posting to be the first salvo of world war three.I have had enough wars on here to last a lifetime.All I ask is people to think more about the possible consequences before posting anything that could harm the village touisim industry.If you have a genuine fact by all means print it.Posting rumours and half truths are in my opinion best avoided .
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on June 07, 2012, 10:15:47 PM
Which particular rumours and half-truths would those be?
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Gavlah1973 on June 07, 2012, 11:16:04 PM
I've no doubt at all that there's money in the hole in the wall.......at the moment!!! But I sure as hell wouldnt want all my money stuck on a piece of plastic if it all goes belly up!! The hole in wall in San Stef let me down 3 times the other year and it was the same in Skala, Cepahalonia 4 years ago.....no different to going to a machine in the UK and them being out of order or having no money but there's no way I'm not taking hard cash this year!!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 07, 2012, 11:22:24 PM
Which particular rumours and half-truths would those be?
These would be the theories written in the press which cannot be proved or disproved, Which are then posted on this forum.Members then become concerned that their holiday is in danger and panic sets in.All I am asking is that we all act responsibly and stick to the proven facts.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: romanza man on June 08, 2012, 12:37:17 PM
 8)Come on guys, San Stef is ready and waiting for us all, so why worry about things we cannot control. Lets just get over there and enjoy ourselves and help out by spending whatever currency is being used. I for one will not let any stories be thet true or false spoil my holiday. ;D
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: dibully on June 08, 2012, 01:13:55 PM
Well said romanza can't wait 5 weeks to day we will be in the air and on our way Euros in hand 8)
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 08, 2012, 02:42:11 PM
8)Come on guys, San Stef is ready and waiting for us all, so why worry about things we cannot control. Lets just get over there and enjoy ourselves and help out by spending whatever currency is being used. I for one will not let any stories be thet true or false spoil my holiday. ;D
Hi Romanza Man
Well said.
Que sera sera.
I will be in San Stefanos on the 15th spending my Euros and renewing old friendships.
As for my postings earlier in this thread I felt the things I said needed saying.This is my last posting on the subject.People will agree or disagree with my viewpoint, but I would expect no other on an open forum.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Lesley on June 08, 2012, 06:48:22 PM
Well said Romanza man.........
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on June 08, 2012, 07:26:40 PM
Quote
These would be the theories written in the press which cannot be proved or disproved

Which would they be?

As I suspect that this is largely directed at me, I, like Yiannis, will say nothing more. I do think the mosquito thread should be removed. Who wants to go to a mosquito-ridden place like Ag Stef?
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Gavlah1973 on June 08, 2012, 10:08:55 PM
Lol Jimbo!!!
And as i said earlier.....i too will be spending Euros....just not putting them all on a pre paid visa!!

As an aside....i did speak to a customer of mine today who had just got back from Stoupa....he said that all is well......prices there were on a par with last year. The only problem he (and others) had related to fuel and hire cars! He paid for his car to come with a full tank of fuel....it didn't. Hire company told him to go to petrol stn in next village and they'd reimburse him. He asked the guy from hire company to fill it up......got a negative response as hire company bloke claimed to have no money
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Sellsy on June 08, 2012, 10:39:50 PM
For what its worth I think the balance is just about right on here at the mo. We cant hide our heads in the sands re some possible difficulties ahead in the village. I think forewarned = forearmed, or whatever the saying is! If ever there was a group of people who could sensibly adapt and prepare for unusual financial / service situations its here. I for one support the news and wider issues provided on here. I can then, much like Gav, make informed decisions, about the best way to prepare and protect my holiday. In essence raising the possibility of some financial discord in the future is giving people insight and potential options to protect their trip to san stef, this surely is  not discouraging travel but promoting it?
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Jimbo on June 08, 2012, 11:16:23 PM
Thanks, Sellsy. One last comment:

It doesn't matter whether you're going to Spain, Greece, Italy or France - the Eurozone is in a crisis. That's not "speculation."

Takes some notes. That's the best possible advice, isn't it?
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: YANNIS26 on June 08, 2012, 11:34:44 PM
Thanks, Sellsy. One last comment:

It doesn't matter whether you're going to Spain, Greece, Italy or France - the Eurozone is in a crisis. That's not "speculation."

Takes some notes. That's the best possible advice, isn't it?
Hi Jimbo
I usually use my Post office credit card in San Stefanos but in this instance I agree with you.Taking Euros is a sound option in the present uncertain climate.
Yammas
Yiannis
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Gillywoo on June 08, 2012, 11:50:14 PM
Agree with jimbo, I am taking cash this year and plenty of it!

The hole in the wall at thomas bay was always dodgy so why risk it, the whole of Europe is in crises not just Greece but I don't give a sh*t, all I want is warm sunny days and great taverna nights and I know in San Steph I wil not be disappointed.

As the song goes 'enjoy yourself it's later than you think'

Andy
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Rob.tc on June 09, 2012, 12:06:06 AM
I agree that we should not bury our heads in the sand and should keep up to date with what is going on.

I'm also taking cash and will make sure that we have a really good time, we have only 1 holiday a year and try to make the best of it whatever happens.

We cannot ignore what is happening in the eurozone and must make adequate provision for any eventuality.
I feel safer being with Thomsons and no matter how much we dispise them they are obliged to get us home whatever happens and wherever we are.

My wifes uncle has lived on Evia for the past 6 or 7 years and has said that things are carrying on as normal with little or no change from previous years and that most of the unrest has been confined to small areas in Athens.
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: spikeyb on June 09, 2012, 12:34:20 AM
Crikey  i only asked if anyone knew the current rate in san stefanos LOL
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: dibully on June 09, 2012, 01:03:48 AM
Just hope for the sake of the lovely friendly people that welcome us into the village that after the elections they can find some solution for stability we all love to visit but they live with all the cuts and all that entails every day
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: loftyscot on June 09, 2012, 01:06:05 AM
Not sure if anyone has noticed this but Scottish banknotes are worth €1.28 at the moment. The Athens of the North has sold two lochs of Glenfiddich to offset the mounting trade deficit with the original Athens.  PM me if you want me to know more  :-\
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Gavlah1973 on June 09, 2012, 01:14:36 AM
Also try to get as low denomination notes as poss. We booked ours online through FairFX and you can ring them up with your reference number once you've booked and specify what notes you'd prefer.
That way if anything does happen and the Euro currency is still accepted, but devalued, then you minimise the risk of buying a 15E round of drinks, paying with a 50E note and only be given change with a value of 40% (14E instead of 35E) for example.

Sellsy sums it up perfectly.....you probably have a 99% chance of going to any of the Greek isles this summer and suffering no probs at all. I also think it's prudent not to have your head in the sand and to plan for any possible eventuality!
I've been all over Trip Advisor this week and believe me....the posts on here are nowhere near as bad as the ones on there....some people are painting a picture of the Greek Isles as a place where Hades meets you at the airport and takes you to the underworld!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: Waspman on June 09, 2012, 01:49:49 AM
Crikey  i only asked if anyone knew the current rate in san stefanos LOL

It's 1.21 before the usual 2% commission, courtesy of SS travel today!!!
Title: Re: exchange rate
Post by: tonyco1 on June 09, 2012, 04:15:59 AM
Wow! I went away to Camber Sands for a week in WiFi free Holiday Parks - only to find the world had ended while I was away - except it hasn't!!

I will take a wad of  €'s and spend them in Ag. Stef as usual - and what's the betting the world of Corfu will tick over as before - certainly within reason.

Also - I am flying by Easyjet - they also have an obligation to get you home as well if you have paid for the flight and arrive in plenty of time at the airport.
I know this - it happened to me once before in Egypt - - they put us up in an AI hotel overnight and an extra flight arrived the next day to return us to the UK.
(OK - so we went to Luton instead of Gatwick - but they then put on a coach!) - - -and that was Easyjet!!

I intend to try to be on the S S beach as normal - - in spite of the Germans or any of the other Euro-crats - having a good time! See you there soon!!!