Euro-prat

[TheCheerfulTreeRat]

I was surprised it was prepayment - I've never pre-paid over here. The nearest I've had is using a card at the pump!

[zond]

The last time I needed to change US for Canadian bills, I was visiting Niagara Falls with my brother, sister-in-law and sister after my nephew's wedding in Rochester. We used exchange machines in a casino and got a pretty good exchange rate.

[Nunavut Pants]

...Turkish currency (can't remember the name).

Lira. Like the former Italian money.

[notalwaysright]

Just another SC who thinks he knows better than the person who actually works there. How awesome is it that the other customers told him off! I wish that happened more often.

[RealUnimportant]

Regarding spending Euros in London: only a few major tourist attractions would be likely to accept them, as well as a few corner shops deep in the heart of the shopping district but at a very poor exchange rate! I've had tourists asking why they can't use them on public transport.

When I worked at Gatwick in the long term car parks, we were one of very few businesses on the airport that didn't officially take foreign currency of any form, but if someone was really stuck we'd buy it from them then spend it ourselves at one of the more accommodating retailers.

[Dreamstalker]

Most should as long as it's on a network that the bank accept (Cirrus, Star, etc)...all the relevant info might be available online. You might have to call your bank ahead of time and let them know your travel dates so they don't see a sudden transaction from France (if your normal activity is only stateside), freak out and block the card.

[Slave to the Phone]

Why didn't I ask here first? You guys are always so helpful

I never thought to ask a coin dealer about getting one. My Online Boyfriend sent me a link to an article about Mexico's conservation efforts which is where I saw the 50 peso note, so I looked them up online, got a bunch of ebay listings which disappointed me to no end.

...so I asked my OB, who was a real coin collector to buy one for me in exchange for non-specified sexual favors at some indeterminate time in the future. (This was not using him, he loved coins and currency and seemed want/need to share his passion with someone else. I met him over 10 years ago and was his online girlfriend until he died. We both knew that sexual favors weren't going to happen, that was a running joke.)


I really was curious about how someone got local currency nowadays, though, and appreciate the answers. I will admit to having considered ATM machines, but had wondered if out of country bank cards would work in an ATM. Thanks for adding to my pool of information that I will never use!

[Monterey Jack]

I got more in Canadian currency via the bank than it was worth in U.S. dollars the last time I was there.

[It's me]

Last time I was in Canada, I just went to the bank to trade in $40 American at a time for Canuck currency. No muss, no fuss. Hell, sometimes I was able to just buy a candy bar at the local gas station and get back Canadian currency for a $20 bill.

Most places in Canada are more than happy to to take US money, but pretty much always at a really crappy exchange rate. Often as bad as 1:1. And then take the US funds to a currency exchange place and trade each US dollar for $1.30 Canadian.

[morgana]

Went on a cruise of the Aegean a couple of years ago.

About a week before, I went down the street to my bank, took money out of savings, and asked the teller for *this much* in euro and *this much* in Turkish currency (can't remember the name).

Stopped by 48 hours later and picked up my cash. No problems at all.

Planning ahead. What a concept . . .

[Monterey Jack]

Last time I was in Canada, I just went to the bank to trade in $40 American at a time for Canuck currency. No muss, no fuss. Hell, sometimes I was able to just buy a candy bar at the local gas station and get back Canadian currency for a $20 bill.

[nutraxfornerves]

If all you want to do is to score a 50 peso note in decent condition, here are some ideas.

1. Is there a decent-ish Mexican population in your area? If there is a consulate, you could as them if someone has a bill they'd be willing to sell. I'd try calling first, and being very polite and emphasizing that this is not a joke.

Or, find one of those places that does remittances to Mexico. Ask if they have, or know someone who'd like to sell a bill. 50 pesos is about $2-3 now, Offer to pay more, maybe double the rate.. You may have to do a sales job to convince them you aren't some sort of government official looking for dirt.

2. Forget eBay. There are a lot of people who collect currency out there and a lot of places selling currency to them. Start in your own area. Look for coin shops and call to see if they also deal in currency.

The real currency collector wants a pristine bill, preferably signed in person by the President and the Pope. A coin shop might be stuck buying a bill in lesser condition in order to get coins or currency they really want. Ask if they have such a thing or if they'd be on the look out for you. They will probably be happy to unload it on you. You can also call dealers you find online.

If you are interested, you can also as a dealer if they know of other currency with butterflies. You might just decide to start a collection yourself.

[drjonah]

When my friend and his wife went to England last year, the travel agent told them the currency they would need and where to go to exchange if necessary. They just contacted their bank ahead of time to order an exchange, it took a few days but the bank was able to accomodate.

[Kit-Ginevra]

Slave....

Maybe contacting the Bank of Mexico direct?

For any comments,complaints or queries about banknote transactions,withdrawals or any bank note exchange services,contact us on dinero@banxico.org.mx

They may be able to arrange for you to buy some possibly and have them sent to you?

[Kit-Ginevra]

Big stores in London probably will take Euros.Big attractions like Alton Towers might possibly. In towns like Dover or Folkestone,possibly. In your average country shop in the middle of England,nope. Anywhere south of Newcastle and they get funny about Scottish currency,let alone foreign stuff.