San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu
Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: tonyco1 on March 05, 2010, 05:10:13 PM
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We did this Last Year!
Lets keep an eye on the Euro and see if it's going to be good to us this 2010 Holiday!
I was quoted locally,
€1.108 - - what is it going for in your neck of the woods
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Whhhaaaattt.....1.05 hereabouts. Would be interesting to hear what people get from the likes of FairFX and the like.
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I can't understand why we seem to get a slightly higher exchange rate near Heathrow, this shouldn't be!!
- - - - - unless it's because of competition and in other area's of the UK, they can get away with a poor rate!!
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got mine from crown currancy exchange on monday 1.1625 to the £ best rate i have seen wiil not get till may 17th some people worry as you pay then get it later but we have had no trouble we have been getting it here for years
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have just had a look and i did it at the right time gone right down again
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The pound was hit when worries of a hung parliament or Gordon winning again seemed possible.
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i was not going to order till next week then it was on the news about the pound going down so i got on the internet to see and it was from the night before so put my order in and not long after it went down but has gone down even more now
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Looks like Mr Pound is going down on you Zoe - - Not good - but could be fun!! LOL
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tony tut tut smut smut lol !!!
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Mr Pound is going down like the Pompey ...
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Zoe - - as if!! ;D
Well as usual Gordon has his finger in the Pound's performance!
some Prices are about 30-40% up on 2008 for us Brits!
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Thomas Cook in Great Yarmouth yesterday was at 1.09. Might have to go and get some if all the horror stories about the election come out true, if we end up with a hung parliament or even worse, more of Brown and cronies then the £ will sink out of sight.
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got mine from crown currancy exchange on monday 1.1625 to the £ best rate i have seen wiil not get till may 17th some people worry as you pay then get it later but we have had no trouble we have been getting it here for years
Zoe who are crown currency ??
Edit: .. just googled them, I see now, its taking a bit of a gamble with long term exchange rates
I'm sure theres much better rates if you were changing say £1000 ... I'll have a look with forex and the like
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Gordon Brown should be well hung..... And I don't mean like game.....Or in the trouser department !
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have gone with crown currancy exchange for the last 5 yrs and no problems i think it puts people off as you have to send money and wait a few weeks to get the money to get the best rate but we have had no problems
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Don't worry, all our Pensions in the future are as badly off as the Pound is now - Thanks Gordon!!
The rumour mill was saying that the Pound would improve now - no sign of that then!!
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With all the signs of a damn hung parliament, AND the Greek bailout appearing inadequate, after a few days of the euro rate declining I have jumped in and got some from a company I found via www.moneysavingexpert.com called TravelFX.com. they are based in Hertfordshire, do not charge commission, free Royal Mail Special Delivery at no cost if over £500s worth, and I got 1.1350 yesterday which was the best rate I could find anywhere. You order your currency with them, and they then send you an email detailing their bank details. You go to your bank website and then pay the bill as normal and it will probably go by Faster payment, so if ordering weekeday AM you will get your currency the next morning, has to be signed for at your address.
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I am told that it's1.153 at Heathrow, but there is commission unless you have an Airport Pass when it's commission free.
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Astounding that- greater than the exchange rate, never mind tourist rate!!
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That's what it says - 1.151 showing today!
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Exchange rate went up over a cent yesterday to 1.16 something, even so that Heathrow rate is exceptional.
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Well I'm not going to argue with it!! LOL
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Found another and better exchange website today... www.hifx.co.uk and you can pay with a card. Free if over £500 and next day delivery. rate now is over 1.17 euro per £
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Seems the Pound and the Market is recovering with the new Lib-Con pact!
Good news!
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Found another and better exchange website today... www.hifx.co.uk and you can pay with a card. Free if over £500 and next day delivery. rate now is over 1.17 euro per £
Giving the Euros as 1.124 today - thats not very good :-\
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Dont know where you looked but I see 1.1723!!
1 GBP = 1.17233 EUR
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We have it offered at Heathrow as 1.174 today!
I would check around - the deals are different as you shop around.
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Dont know where you looked but I see 1.1723!!
1 GBP = 1.17233 EUR
Hifx travel money - showing 1.1337 at the moment (am I doing summat wrong) :-\
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Just do a few checks online and locally
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the best we got was 1.19, it averaged out to about 1.15 nearer the end of 2 weeks
Helen
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At The Nafsika Hotel (SS) on 18th May 2010 we got 1.16 Euros to the GBP with commission already taken off. So go and see Spiros.
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I posted this last season but thought it might be useful to any newcomers to the forum.
Have you thought of using a credit card for all large purchases.Such as meals ,trips or duty frees.You need a card that charges 0% commission on foreign purchases.The one I use is a mastercard from the post office but other cards are available.
A small number of businesses may charge you 2% to cover their costs but at an exchange rate today of 1.1744 it is well worth it.
If you use for example Barclaycard and many others they charge you 2.75% for the privelege of using your card abroad.This is on top of the 2% the local business may charge you.
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Nationwide is another 0% commission credit card, but only in Europe, whereas Post Office credit card is worldwide
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Luckily Corfu is in Europe and I have a Nationwide card!! It all helps!
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Anyone know what the best rate going in SS at the moment?
Crown Currency offering 1-18 Euros to the £ (with a 10 - 20 day) delivery
I don't think thats worth the risk/wait, as the rate appears to be creeping up at the minute
with even the P.O. offering 1-1665 ?
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Travel FX has 1.17 as does HiFX, and these are available immediately.
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What's the general view for getting Euros in SS?:
(1) Take loads of Euros and hope not to lose them
(2) Take Euros and GBPs ditto
(3) Take Euro Travellers Cheques
(4) Take GBP Travellers Cheques
(5) Get cash from hole in the wall
(6) Get cash from San Stef Travel using debit card (is this possible?)
TIA
Jim
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Does anyone know what exchange rate you can get in SS itself at the moment?
With the PO even, offering 1-1726 today I am glad I didn't opt for one of these
20 - 30 day currency deals, as it was less than that 20+ days ago .. seems to be rising a 'little'
I think I will just take sterling out with me and look for the best rates out there, just need to
know what I can expect at the minute 'on the ground' so to speak !
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I've got a desktop widget on my second monitor that shows currency rates. The Euro has been fluctuating between 1.20 and is currently at 1.212. If it goes higher I'd be tempted to buy. I think the pound will be unstable when the budget comes out!
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TravelFX selling euros for 1.19 today.
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What's the general view for getting Euros in SS?:
(1) Take loads of Euros and hope not to lose them
(2) Take Euros and GBPs ditto
(3) Take Euro Travellers Cheques
(4) Take GBP Travellers Cheques
(5) Get cash from hole in the wall
(6) Get cash from San Stef Travel using debit card (is this possible?)
TIA
Jim
1) and a safety deposit box... Free in Kappa travel opposite Spiros bikes !
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What's the general view for getting Euros in SS?:
(1) Take loads of Euros and hope not to lose them
(2) Take Euros and GBPs ditto
(3) Take Euro Travellers Cheques
(4) Take GBP Travellers Cheques
(5) Get cash from hole in the wall
(6) Get cash from San Stef Travel using debit card (is this possible?)
TIA
Jim
Hi Jim
I tend to take plenty of GBPS as I believe in the vast majority of cases you get a better rate in the village than you would in the UK.
When paying for meals or large items I use my Post Office credit card which charges 0% commission on oversees purchases.This makes the exchange rate at approx. uk bank rate which today is 1.21Euros/ GBP
Yammas
Yannis.
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I called into the post office today and they told me the rate was 1.13 i have read on here that it,s higher in other parts of the country
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Pay by Nationwide/Post Office/Saga or Santander Credit card which have no European loading charges, you will always get the best deal.
Beware that some tavernas may decline credit cards as they get a better deal (you will not) when paid in cash, cash is King and of course is not traceable
See Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) website and he will say the same.
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I must agree with the Wasp!! Cash is King!! Credit card is back-up for us only!!
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Cash here everytime. As regards the Post Office you would get a better deal on line for any of the major companies.
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I think you've missed the point Tony. You will always get a better deal if you pay by Nationwide, Post Office or Zero Santander Credit cards as, unlike nearly all other credit cards (Lloyds, HSBC etc) they have no European loading charges. One point to mention is that some tavernas and supermarkets will charge you 2% extra to use any credit card, but I think this is rare.
In May when I went to SS the best Euro exchange rate was 113 Euros to one GB Pound, but using my Nationwide credit card it was 2 to 3 Euros more. Hence you will be better off using one of these cards rather than cash, that's if all tavernas will accept them now, see my earlier posting to see why many do not like accepting cards of any nature.
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I think you've missed the point Tony. You will always get a better deal if you pay by Nationwide, Post Office or Zero Santander Credit cards as, unlike nearly all other credit cards (Lloyds, HSBC etc) they have no European loading charges. One point to mention is that some tavernas and supermarkets will charge you 2% extra to use any credit card, but I think this is rare.
In May when I went to SS the best Euro exchange rate was 113 Euros to one GB Pound, but using my Nationwide credit card it was 2 to 3 Euros more. Hence you will be better off using one of these cards rather than cash, that's if all tavernas will accept them now, see my earlier posting to see why many do not like accepting cards of any nature.
Hi Waspman
I believe we have a misunderstanding here. Tony I believe is talking about the poor rate given for changing money over the PO counter not the Post Office credit card.
Yammas
Yannis
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Hi Yiannis, I don't think you're right. Tony made no mention of the Post Office (either credit card or PO counter). He did indicate that cash is king and a credit card is used for back up only, whereas I believe it's better to use the correct credit card and you get a better exchange rate for doing so.
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Hi Yiannis, I don't think you're right. Tony made no mention of the Post Office (either credit card or PO counter). He did indicate that cash is king and a credit card is used for back up only, whereas I believe it's better to use the correct credit card and you get a better exchange rate for doing so.
Hi Waspman
My apologies,I wrongly put recent postings regarding the poor exchange rate at the P.O counter down to Tony.I think age must be catching up with me .In fact the posters were Sunshine & Jules so I guess my eyesight as well as my mind is on its way out.
Sorry for the confusion.
Yammas
Yannis
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No problem Yiannis, see you on 25th June, we'll have a few early morning cups of coffee together with Leo
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SS travel exchange rate was 1.18 on Thursday
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Thanks Gordon - thats exactly the info I wanted to know .. I'll change my money over there in that case
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Will the budget next week make the Euro less here
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I strongly suspect that the pound will weaken after the announcement of the deficit tomorrow. After that it depends on what the currency gamblers think of the Terrible Twins' formula to put half the country out of work!
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Just been checking onlineand I have found today
Post Office €1.1665
Thomson €1.1779
Co-op €1.1782
Thomas Cook €1.183
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TravelFx gives 1.1850 today.
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To Gordonc
Was the exchange rate in SS before or after the 2% commission that they always charge?
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Hi Yiannis, I don't think you're right. Tony made no mention of the Post Office (either credit card or PO counter). He did indicate that cash is king and a credit card is used for back up only, whereas I believe it's better to use the correct credit card and you get a better exchange rate for doing so.
Hi Waspman - sorry, was not too clear.
I have a credit card and debit card with HSBC - their new Advance account scheme, I pay £12 a month and get for that charge, Annual travel Insurance, Card Guard, Car breakdown/recovery (not homecall though but for any car you are in a 1/4 mile or more from your home), a few other discount things and NO CHARGES for using the cards abroad for cash, unless you don't pay it back of course!!
We always take a wad of currency and only use Cards if we run low!
No method is perfect and you can lose cash or be robbed I suppose - then - cards don't always work - it's a chance you take!!
We find if you take cash, Pounds, or Euro's - it's just so easy to do things.
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Hi Tony
You're right. a mixture of all (zero commission credit cards, GB pounds, Euros and of course Travellers Cheques) are best to take with you, although in general, debit cards will cost you far more.
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Exchange rate at SS was before commission.
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Exchange rate at SS was before commission.
Ahhh Gordon - you missed a vital statistic there :o, might have to change up ££ in the UK after all
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Ice is offering Euros at 1.19 today. San Stef travel charge 2% commission on conversion of sterling cash/Traveller's Cheques.
Looks to me like taking either Euro Travellers cheques or Euro cash is now sensible - I can't see the Pound/Euro getting significantly better over the next few weeks.
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Ahhh Gordon - you missed a vital statistic there :o, might have to change up ££ in the UK after all
Hi Mikee to continue the debate on cash v 0%Commission credit card.
On 10/06/10 the day in question.
SS Travel exchange rate. 118-2% = 1.1564
PO Mastercard rate = 1.2105*
Yammas
Yannis
*This is the daily average rate.The actual rate depends on the time of the transaction.
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Its tempting Yannis - I have to say, but with 2 credit cards already I don't want another one !
I'll just lose the odd couple of cents here and there on the exchange, after all I hear YOU will be buying
most of the rounds in any case :D :D ;D
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I'm a bit dissapointed the cash machine is out of order. I normally take a mixture of Euros (around a third) and then Travellers cheques but nearly always need to visit the cash machime towards the end of the holidays
What does everyone usually budget per day per couple??
We used to work on around £50 per day between us. This was in the good old days though when the exchange rate was around 1.40!! That would usually get us a light lunch each, couple of beers each during the day, 2 course meal with wine on an evening and then probably another 3/4 drinks each later in the evening.
We noticed when we were in Spain last year that I was probably spending circa £75 per day on living expenses.
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Last time we went to SS we took mostly euro's but knew we would have to draw out another £500 whilst over there. The Thomas Bay cash machine never had any money in it so we walked over to Arillis[I believe this cash machine is no longer there]. The machine would not give us any money, our son rang us from UK to tell us TSB fraud squad had rang and we called them to ask what the problem was has I had already rang them prior to our visit to tell them that we would be drawing money out in Corfu[that was a waste of time]. They said somebody had tried to draw money from our account in Corfu to which I replied yes it was me.After numerous questions they said it would be ok now to draw the money so back over to Arillis and was relieved when we received our money. I suppose it is a good thing to know that they are on the ball but since I had told them about my visit to Corfu it did seem that I might as well have not bothered.
This year taking the cash only.
Just found over 50 euro's in one of the travel bags so feels like we will be getting a free night out whilst on holiday. :)
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I had a very similar experience in Macy's in New York whilst trying to buy my Omega watch!! Had to go back to the hotel with my tail between my legs to phone the bank after they stopped my card due to potential fraud!!
Back to Macy's then to try again (successfully this time!!)
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Its tempting Yannis - I have to say, but with 2 credit cards already I don't want another one !
I'll just lose the odd couple of cents here and there on the exchange, after all I hear YOU will be buying
most of the rounds in any case :D :D ;D
Hi Mikee
You must be joking, you have heard all about Don and his aversion to buying a round.Just wait until you meet Don Yan.
See you at the Romanza on the 25th.
Yammas
Yannis
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WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT :o ... I think I will cancel me holiday if thats the case
Ok then .. see you on the 25th, some God awful early morning flight in from Luton :(
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I have decided to take some extra wedge this year, so I can be different to Don and Yannis!! LOL
I don't mind buying a round or two!!
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Only take €'s and work on the assumption that we'll spend €100 per day. Probably the same as a night out for 2 here.
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On a serious note - I would agree with the €100 per day, if not spent - take it home!!
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We are aiming for €100 per day maximum for the 2 of us as well
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I am a tight Yorkshireman though so I'll stick to 75 euros and the missus can sit and watch me eat my tea!!
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If you were my hubby you would be wearing your tea lol!!!!!!!!!! ;) :D ;D ::) :P
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Gavlah, just share one plate!! LOL
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Gavlah................. my husband worshipped you............... Past tense?.................... He did until I killed him 8)
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Treat-em-mean - - - keep-em-keen Gav!! LOL
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Watch out for a con by Thomas Cook high street branches.
I brought Euros and Travellers cheques yesterday and was horrified when I got home to see I only only got an exchange rate of 1.123!
T.C. Website was advertising 1.698 so I went back to T.C. and demanding an explanation, they didnt have one and offered to make up the difference which was amounted to nearly 60e!!
They said that branches often pay a 'slightly' different rate to the T.C. rate on the internet, but 5.8 cents is not a small difference.
Anyway, its the post office from now on for me.
Andy
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We work on £100 per day max as well ( two of us) We are self catering so no breakfast included.
Of course if Don buys the drinks we take maore home !!! ::) ::) ::)
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I take it you are always skint when you go home then Sue lol!!!!
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Sue - you take MAORE home? LOL
Jules is so minted she has a private helicopter, Don has a free NHS mobility scooter and spends vouchers on holiday instead of cash!! ;D :D
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Sue - you take MAORE home? LOL
This is an old lincolnshire saying meaning To take one's (Ma) oar (ore) home, because one has to row home. Due to Don not getting his little plastic bag out. LOL
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Ok - we believe you!! LOL (especially about Don!!)
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Sue - you take MAORE home? LOL
This is an old lincolnshire saying meaning To take one's (Ma) oar (ore) home, because one has to row home. Due to Don not getting his little plastic bag out. LOL
As my family live in Lincolnshire (I know things) I can smell that a bull has been past and left a rather reeking calling card!.................... BEHAVE Sue................ LOL
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Don
How could you!! Sue would never do a wind-up on you and myself!!
She is far too honest!! Tut-Tut!!
I suspect she will have Moare to say on the matter
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P.O. only offering 1-12 yeterday, hope I get a better rate in SS :o
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You normally do!!
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Got a few Euros from the PO today .. 1-1517
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Silly Boy -now you have to spend it!! LOL
(Mines a Mythos)
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Found another good rate at www.bestforeignexchange.co.uk...they had 1.21 yesterday.
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bestforeign are definitely that! Currency arrived next morning at 7:45 !
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Can't beat that then!!
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Andy, I also got caught by the Thomas cook con, I won't be using them again.
Pete.
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bestforeign are definitely that! Currency arrived next morning at 7:45 !
Hi Jimbo
I assume you have used Best Currency?
I was thinking of doing so as their rate is most favourable but I am a little reluctant to part with my hard earned as I have not heard of them before. I trust they are legit?
Cheers
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Excellent service. They even sent an email with a two hour delivery window (09:05 to 11:05). Post Office didn't like that exactitude, and delivered money at 07:45...
Notes appear to be genuine - have mutated into Mythos and mousakas without problems!
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Jimbo, did they charge for delivery, I recall seeing a £5 charge somewhere on their site, and if that is so then it negates their excellent euro rate.
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Yes - £5 for up to £2,500 pounds. Buying £1,000 worth made it very competitive.
Rate today in San Stef Travel is 1.19 (minus 2% commission)
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Sounds like u are having a good time Jimbo.
We are not going until August 20th but made the decision to buy some Euro's on Friday whilst the rate is good. Thomsons on the High Street store for £1000 the rate was 1.17 with no comission to pay. If it gets even better I will go and buy some more if not will wait until we get to SS to stock up.
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I'll just pop next door(ish) and look at the SS Travel rate..... back now - it's 1.18 this morning.
Having a great time. The weather was iffy last week, but it's fabulous. 35 degrees or so all week.
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hi,
i reserved my euros online at thomas cook, for store pick up / collection. (there is an option which says buy instore)
this way you get the online rate which is better, rather than the rate they are offering instore. they were offering 1.1975 last week so keep an eye on it.
today their online rate is 1.1743, so £1004.85 gets you 1180 euros.
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Rang Thomsons today to see what the rate was and its gone back down to 1.10 if you buy over £300 then you get 1.13,can,t decide to risk that or to wait untill we arrive in SS. Does anybody know what the rate is there at the moment. Thanks
Angela
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Euro rate varied from 1-18 .. 1-20 (less 2% commission) during the whole 2 weeks
I have to say SS Travel were offering the lowest rates almost every time I looked :(
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Thanks Mikee thats better than here at the moment, think I will wait a while longer and see if it goes up
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SS Travel 1.17 this morning.
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I could have got 1.19 at local exchange shoplast week, I thought it was on the way up so I did not take up the option. It is now down to 1.15. Not a good decision on my part.