[Archived] Getting Your Euros

[ABBEY]

My question got lost in the referendum thread...

What does everyone reckon is the best time to buy euros? before or after the referendum?

[T J Hooker]

surely that would depend on the outcome of the referendum

[Biddy]

and when you are going

[ABBEY]

No @#/? sherlock @tj not biddy

and when you are going

July Aug

[Husky]

Surely if the UK is that serious about the EU they should join their brothers in the single EU currency.

[Biddy]

I'm no expert and cannot offer financial advice at all, but aren't there fears that the pound will weaken closer to the referendum over fears of an exit. Which means it would be better changing money now.

But who knows what will happen, which to be fair, was TJ's point.

[ABBEY]

I know that's the point ..

[Gav]

Get yourself to Fleetwood for a week, sod the Euros.

[T J Hooker]

No @#/? sherlock @tj not biddy

July Aug

Sorry genius, though your the one that started a thread just to ask a question that can only be answered theoretically at best.

[Tom]

Buying currency is a nightmare you never know when is best and I tend to buy at the worse time.

I usually take some cash bought in intervals and then a Halifax clarity card for the rest

[T J Hooker]

I never buy euros in the uk, i just use the cash machine at the destination when i arrive, usually just a little fixed charge for using my card abroad, but only a few quid at most

[only2garners]

About 12 months ago would have been the best time. Now the exchange rate will be tied up with the referendum until June. Conventional theory would say that the pound would strengthen a bit if the UK decides to stay in the EU. It might go the other way if we vote to leave, but I suspect much of that downside is already in the current rate. I think if I was travelling after the referendum I would leave it until after then but who knows - it could go either way.

TJ's advice is OK, but even better is to get a Euro currency card. Load some euros on to it before you go and then just use the card either for cash or purchases, in both cases without any fees.

[T J Hooker]

I think some people just like going through the ritual of getting their currency exchanged before they go abroad.

[ABBEY]

About 12 months ago would have been the best time. Now the exchange rate will be tied up with the referendum until June. Conventional theory would say that the pound would strengthen a bit if the UK decides to stay in the EU. It might go the other way if we vote to leave, but I suspect much of that downside is already in the current rate. I think if I was travelling after the referendum I would leave it until after then but who knows - it could go either way.

TJ's advice is OK, but even better is to get a Euro currency card. Load some euros on to it before you go and then just use the card either for cash or purchases, in both cases without any fees.

Getting a pre paid card .

[ABBEY]

I think some people just like going through the ritual of getting their currency exchanged before they go abroad.

It's not a ritual for me, it's organising and knowing what I have left

[Al]

I usually find that Althams in Accrington or Co-op travel (Thomas Cook) in Blackburn Centre give the best rates, far better than Lloyds where I bank.

[K-Hod]

A good one for an exchange rate that you'd never think of is Cash Generator as well......

[only2garners]

Getting a pre paid card .

In that case. if I were you, I would just load up what you need/can afford after the referendum (but don't blame me if the rate's worse than it is now!).

[ABBEY]

all this chat over kebab and mythos tokens

[only2garners]

I usually find that Althams in Accrington or Co-op travel (Thomas Cook) in Blackburn Centre give the best rates, far better than Lloyds where I bank.

The high street banks are probably the worst places to go, apart from the airport exchange bureaux. To get actual cash I have usually found either the Post Office or Travelex online have the best rates. The Post Office will deliver to your local office in 24 hours (or usually have euros or dollars in stock). With Travelex you can pick the order up at the airport.

[Ste B]

You wont beat a halifax clarity card.

If you want it in advance, order online from Asda or Millers in Ossy and collect it.

[DanLad]

Money saving website exchange rate screen scrape thingy...

http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/

I always check this. Doesn't help when to buy in this instance (although I think uncertainty in financial markets tends to be bad, so as the referendum approaches people will worry and pull money out of sterling), but the screen scrape site will assist in finding the best rate.

The Money saving website is a 'go to' resource, in my opinion.

[Ste B]

The Money saving website is a 'go to' resource, in my opinion.

Its probably one of THE best sites on the net for impartial advice.

[Claytons Left Boot]

I usually find that Althams in Accrington or Co-op travel (Thomas Cook) in Blackburn Centre give the best rates, far better than Lloyds where I bank.

Yep, when we lived in Darwen, I always used to use Althams who generally gave the best rates.

[Claytons Left Boot]

Surely if the UK is that serious about the EU they should join their brothers in the single EU currency.

I quite agree. I have never understood why we haven't adopted the Euro over the years like Germany, France or Spain. We seem to have had one foot in and one foot out so to speak.

Quite ironic that the government will fine market traders for quoting weights in lbs and oz instead of kilos but as a nation we still use miles instead of kilometres and all the signage that goes with it.