Me want dollars. Post office online with delivery? or is there better?

Vanilla · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:35

I'm looking to get some dollars for a trip to Vegas in May.

I noticec that the post office will take online orders and deliver the money.

Has anyone used the PO for this? Any gotchas around the rates?

Thanks

Freefaller · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:38

I prefer ordering it through travelex and collecting it at the terminal. It's one less thing to worry about as far as I'm concerned. However there's nothing wrong with the PO. onlinefx is quite a good site for delivery too.

Toker · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:44

I find usually marks and spencers have the best rates but that might not be the case at the moment

or if I'm short on time flashing my shell badge at travelex and getting the exchange commision free at the airport

Stretch · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:46

Don't use the PO, their exchange rates are normally unfavourable. Last time I went to Vegas I got a small amount of money $200 from tesco and the rest out the ATM whilst in vegas.

RDM · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:49

I tend to use M&S and get it delivered to work.

OpenToSuggestions · 16 Apr 2008 at 10:56

tesco give a better rate than anyone I think

meghatronic · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:12

I used Travelex <sp> once and forgot to bloody pick the money up at the airport didn't I. Stupid ******.

I use M&S now. Best rate bay far round here. (I got $1.9 to £1 when Barclays were offering $1.7 to £1).

Freefaller · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:53

I've just come back from NY - I changed £700 online with Travelex to collect at the airport, I got a rate of 1.9265 according to my receipt. Commission free and they'd exchange it back at the same rate since I changed more than 400. However I spent it all

(the hotel and flight had already been paid for).

To be honest it depends on your ways, if you feel organised enough to go to the travelex counter before you leave go for it, if not go to the PO. I personally rather have the money in my hand rather than wait for a delivery of cash.

RDM · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:56

At the end of the day M&S, the Post Office, Tesco, etc all get their money from Travelex and their rates are pretty similar. So go with what is more convenient. For me, that is M&S and getting it delivered to work.

platypus · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:56

What's wrong with typing "I want dollars"?

Toker · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:58

it's not 1337

nydryl · 16 Apr 2008 at 11:59

The PO rates are often slightly lower than places like M&S and Tesco. It will be marginal, but I always shop around and take the best rate.

MookJong · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:06

M&S 4TW

UnusualSuspect · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:10

A lot of Post Offices (mine included!) stock US Dollars and Euros, so you can just pop in and buy them over the counter. No waiting around.

hp7909 · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:17

IMO would only change a few for travelling with & carry the rest to exchange there for a higher/better rate

jamoor · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:38

go to nationwide and open a bank account, deposit cash into there before you leave and upon arrival in USA withdraw the money using an ATM.

Vanilla · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:40

I'm not worried about waiting for them to be delivered, I have a month before I go and they usually deliver within a couple of days.

Will have a look at M&S and tesco now

ta

Vanilla · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:41

jamoor said:
go to nationwide and open a bank account, deposit cash into there before you leave and upon arrival in USA withdraw the money using an ATM.

The saving in the exhange rate is not worth a fraction of the time and hassle required to open an account there, wait for an ATM card, transfer money in etc

Things change I've changed · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:44

out of interest if you want to sell your dollars who gives you the best rate ?, I remember last time I exchanged about 500 dollars at the post office to GBP and lost a hell of allot of money.

Skiddley · 16 Apr 2008 at 12:53

Just go to the post office the day before you go...