Question about banks and buying online in $/€

khodos · 17 May 2012 at 14:19

Hi all,

What are the cheaper banks you know to buy stuff in other currency than the £? All of the banks I know apply a % and a fixed charge...

Thx!

Bennie-Mac · 17 May 2012 at 14:24

Post office, they dont charge you iirc.

khodos · 17 May 2012 at 14:29

But... how can you pay an ebay item using the post office? Do they offer some kind of banking?

Bennie-Mac · 17 May 2012 at 14:32

Oh sorry i misread, i thought you were looking for the best way to change money for going on holiday or something.

I dont think any of my banks have ever charged me for buying items priced in dollars etc, i thought the exchange rate was just applied to convert it into pounds and they took that amount from your account?

khodos · 17 May 2012 at 14:33

Moses said:
I can do that, with my Santander Zero credit card, the same kind of debit card, and my Halifax Clarity credit card. I'd recommend either of those credit card options, as they were simple for me to get/didn't require anything notable. Those three cards will beat anything else, essentially.

I also can do that with my barclays, natwest or halifax easycash card, but... what about the comissions/charges?

cheechm · 17 May 2012 at 14:33

Moses said:
I can do that, with my Santander Zero credit card, the same kind of debit card, and my Halifax Clarity credit card. I'd recommend either of those credit card options, as they were simple for me to get/didn't require anything notable. Those three cards will beat anything else, essentially.

This. Halifax Clarity Card is wonderful.

No commission or charges (except on money withdrawals abroad, even then, its negligible).

Plus spend over £300 and they give you £5 back.

arknor · 17 May 2012 at 14:50

usepaypal it will charge your debit card in £ and afaik doesnt take a silly fee or commision

khodos · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:59

upping the post again... Any options with debit cards? Santander zero is no longer offered

Paypal fees are huge, and I don't like credit cards...

Zefan · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:06

If you don't like credit cards, ask yourself why. There's no reason not to use one really, unless you know you're an idiot and will run up enormous bills.

Last time I looked at payments overseas like this, credit cards and pre-paid cards were the only way.

:edit: go to moneysavingexpert.

[TW]Fox · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:14

arknor said:
usepaypal it will charge your debit card in £ and afaik doesnt take a silly fee or commision

No fee, no commission...

... just a comedy crap exchange rate. Today they are offering 1.22 euros to the pound, lol

dowie · 31 Jul 2012 at 21:44

Bennie-Mac said:
Oh sorry i misread, i thought you were looking for the best way to change money for going on holiday or something.

even then... the post office still charge you only its not in the form of an explicit fee rather its in the spread

I dont think any of my banks have ever charged me for buying items priced in dollars etc, i thought the exchange rate was just applied to convert it into pounds and they took that amount from your account?

they generally do - tis added to the spread... their terms and conditions will specify how much they add to the rate applied by VISA/Mastercard