money

[annpann]

Hi, I have read all the topics on money exchanging, I have opened an account with the nationwide to get money without being charged. I have exchanged some sterling to Lire (when the rate wasnt too bad) to cover us for the first few days, but am now not so sure I have done the right thing.

Do you guys take sterling to exchange in the supermarket, you know your whole holiday money say £900 cash, exchange it as and when required, as you say the supermarkets are the best rates (I did discover this many many years ago when we went to Spain, the coffee bar we used gave us far more than anywhere else, weird but true).

So far we havent put anymore than the basic requirement into the nationwide. We dont go till May 12th, but with the way the pound is against every known currency, you need to count the pennies.

This forum is a wonderful site, thanks for all the information in advance. Ann

[redrhino12]

Hi Ann,
Some would say put all your money in the nationwide and use the card in the resort,this way you wont lose your money or have it stolen.
I like to take sterling which I keep in a safe then change this as and when required.

Gene

[swc24]

Hi Ann

we normally use the atm if you use the HSBC you can get sterling out and as you are with the nationwide it wont cost you anything you can then change it in the mini supermarkets at a better exchange rate
Hope this helps

Steve

[Simon2011]

Hi Ann
We take enough Lira to last us for the first day or so. We take some sterling for the markets as £'s seem to give you slightly more bargaining power. The rest of our holiday money is put in the Nationwide and drawn out as lira as and when we need it. There are plenty of ATM's around. You get a good exchange rate with the Nationwide and we find it to be far higher than shops offer. When we were there in February, exchange shops were offering 2.25lira to the £. When we returned home were getting 2.4 on our Nationwide statement. The only problem is that the exchange rate fluctuates so you are never quite sure what you are going to get. We always save all withdrawl receipts, work out what we have withdrawn by using the local exchange rates and then get surprised how much is left in the account when we return home.

[swc24]

Hello Simon

welcome to the forum

Steve

[Simon2011]

Thanks Steve...I'm one of those that read every day but didn't contribute. Bearing in mind i've been going to Icmeler and Marmaris since 1995, thought it was time i took part.

[Sue]

we taken enough Lira to last for the first day and take the rest in English and change it when we need it usually at the change place opposite Harrys. I used to take English to the market for years but I have found the last couple of years it is easier to barter with lira

[Simon2011]

We have had lots of bad experiences with change shops (the one across from Harrys included). You hand over your £'s after having worked out in your head how much you should receive in return. Only for the money to be 20lira or more short. After much huffing and puffing the missing money appears. It has happened too many times to be a genuine mistake and unless it's an emergency, we would never use a change shop again.

[dimrie]

We never use the change shops,we use the bank or supermarkets.

Diane

[NATAJACK]

We've not used the change shops, and after the post from Simon2011, we wont be using them either .

We got half of our spening money changed to lira before we went and changed the rest in the Amilia bar and the supermarket.

Debbie

[Sue]

Simon do you mean the change shop which is on the web cam in between the jewellers on the left hand side?

I have been using this one for 10 years and have always got the correct money. I have also changed by money at the Geordie Bar their rate was very good

[Lynn m]

I've used that change shop and never had a problem. its the same people who own that and the jewellers.

[Sue]

Yeah thats the one Lynn there are kiosks one at each side of the Jewellers. Besides the Geordie Bar we havent changed any money anywhere else as they are very trustworthy

[Simon2011]

Hi Sue
Yes that's the one between the chemist and the jewellers. Think they "misplaced" 20 lira. Must admit though, we have also been using this one for years and it did just happen the once at a time when it seemed every one we went into were short changing us. Another one that we used where we were money short was on the top road, a few doors down from Pyramid restaurant. The woman got quite aggressive when we pointed out the missing money. Worst though was in Marmaris where it seemed no one would give you the full amount. This was what forced us into opening a Nationwide account. On another note, i like the jewellers next door to the change shop. Some very good quality stuff in there.

[Sue]

i was thinking about getting a nationwide card but i would be to frightened in case i lost my card.

i always check in that change shop that i have been given the right money as iff you are pre occupied mistakes can be made

[hans120]

we just take liar,we try to time it right when the rates are looking at there best,and touch wood every year so far we have normaly got it spot on some say it might b risky taking 13-1400 quids worth of liar but never had a problem so far cant be assed to keep changing it

[Fanny]

Hi and welcome Ann

plenty of good advice on here already for you so I won't bore you with mine ha ha
the only advice I'll give you is this...........
there's pros and cons to all the advice, so why not just go with the one you'll find to be least hassle/worry
that way you can enjoy your holiday
the golden rule is check what you get - and if all else fails, you can always pay for your meals/drinks in £s if you really have to!