WARNING!!!!

[madmackem]

We have just returned from 2 weeks in Icmeler and as we usually go in August it was great to see the town come alive, but we want to pass on a word of warning. Please be very aware of the Cash Exchange office in the square,( under the Abacus Hotel, next to the Baby Gold Shop ). I changed £200 worth of travellers cheaque here and he charged about £27 commision, now my math isn't that good but I think thats about 12%. When I realised what he had done I complained but was told it was right, I pointed out his advertised exchange rate and he told me this was for cash only, there are no notices in his place to warn you about paying commision and when I pointed this out to him he shrugged. Well once bitten twice shy, we never used him again and adviced as many people as we could to steer clear, and would advice you to do the same. There are lots of places to change money and travelers cheques with no commision, so use them, lets see how long he lasts with no customers.
Anyway back in August slightly older but a lot wiser.

[Sue]

is that the place that is on the corner which has two sidesto the exchange place

[welshdoll3]

Secret to that is not to take traveller cheques, I always take a small amoutn of Turkish lira for the 1st day and the rest in english if i need more i use the cashpoint

[madmackem]

Hi Sue its the exchange next block up from Friends Resturant, just before you get to the Bella Mare Hotel.

[Sue]

i think i know the one you mean, we normally go to the one a couple of doors down from the chemist, they is two run by the name young man, hehas a klept pallatte on his lip do you know the one i mean

[madmackem]

Yes welshdoll3 but i feel safer with travelers cheques.
I think i used that one a couple of years ago sue just this year the one i got ripped off in was closer to the hotel.

[mazz]

I changed my travellers cheques in teh supermaket between the Chill Bar and the Natural Leather handbag shop - got a great rate! Will use them again this year.

I took prefer to be safe than sorry and always take at least half my spends in travellers cheques.

[smc4761]

Do most of the exchange places give the same rate for cash and travellers cheques. Thinking of taking travellers cheques as they seem to be safer than cash

Stewart

[JT]

Stewart as Mazz said take them to the supermarket below our office and next to the Chill bar for better rates than the banks.

Also try the Aslam market and see Mustafa there to change your money and is situated next door to the Old Famous Kitchen/Old Famous Bar

[Hasan Diya]

My wife and I used this one a few years ago to change cash into turkish lira, we were charged for this even though the sign said no charge for changing sterling. When my wife queried this she was told that the charge was right. We warned several other people of this and have never used them again. We always go to the exchange by the chemist and have no problems with them.

[tania]

what is the rate just now in Icmeler? I agree with Admin. we always got a fab rate next to the Old Famous Kitchen. We went there last year after reading about it on here! We should start a post about "best tips" on here and share all our knowledge with each other!

Tania

[madmackem]

good idea tania, the rate was between 2.60 and 2.61 while we were there last week.

[Zeynep1985]

When I first went to Icmeler on a 'ME' paid for holiday (rather than parents funded) I took travellers cheques. We took them to the 3(4) bells to get exchanged and after a day or 2 of takin passports we did not need them any longer. I now take cash with me and still get it changed at 3(4) bells as we normally get a good rate. I like to take english money as you have more bartering power in markets if you offer english money rather than lira. i like to have some lira for first day just to get into the holiday mood. Hence the reason I do not want Turkey to go in to the EU as they shall only deal in Euro's. Plus Turkey just wouldnt be Turkey with the English Health & Safety rules and regs. There would be no more men hanging out of car windows when turkish teams win etc....just would not be the same!!!!

Sorry about the rant...Have had a bad day....

[Sue]

I used to barter with £10's at the market but find it easier to barter with lira as i could never get them to drop there price to say£8 and had no change anyway in english so at least with lira i have more bartering power andd get them as low as £6 or £7

[madmackem]

I think it's more fun to barter in lira to, you can always get stuff a few lira cheeper, its not a lot to us but a lot of money to the turkish people

[maymun]

I agree with Zeynep and Welshdoll...It's so much easier and safer to take a little cash and use the ATMs.
Differing exchange rates and travellers cheques just got on my nerves in the end.
Also , if you have any problems your bank can sort it out in the UK rather than having to try and explain your problem in Turkey.

[maymun]

LOL Also agree about the EU Health and Safety!

What would Turkey be without the husband, wife, 2 kids, 3 bags of shopping, 2 water bottles and a gas canister all on one moped!!!

[tania]

I mainly take sterling travellers cheques, some English notes and some Lira. I would never rely soley on the ATM's. What would happen if your card was retained in the machine and you were stuck without access to your money! It happens quite frequently, the ATM at my works always has cards in it. Also T/Chqs are insured, you cant prove to the insurance company how much "cash" you had on you if it were lost or stolen

Tania

[geordiespurs]

i always change my money at the apartments i sty at i find its normally the same rate if not better than most places and you have some kind of come back if you think you have been given a bads deal