To think this is a bit of a foreign currency high street scam?

[Catsize]

Not sure scam is the right word, but this is what happened...
Want to support high street, so instead of ordering Euros online, decided to go to a bank or travel agent. Had in mind Thomas Cook, as have used it before, and I feel a bit sorry for travel agents at the mo. I checked online, and rate was 1.14 and a bit.
Started the reservation process, but thought a bit pointless as I would reserve it and collect it ten mins later, so just went in. Had to walk half a mile with pelvic condition to get money out and then passed lots of places with exchange rates but none as favourable as 1.14.
Went to TC, got £590 worth of currency. Yikes!
After the transaction, as the maths seemed a bit odd, I queried the rate, and was told it was 1.10.
I said it was 1.14 online. 'Yes' said the lady behind the counter. 'It's cheaper if you reserve it online'. Eh?? Queue behind me and time running out on car parking.
Only when walking to the car did I realise that I had paid about 25euros extra to save them the hassle of me reserving online. Eh???
Is it me?
Was tempted to go back, but 25 euros was cheaper than possible parking fine and by now pelvis was really aching.
What do you think? Should I write ti TC? Feel cheated and conned for trying to do them a favour and not ordering online with someone who has a better rate and posts to my house!

[AnythingNotEverything]

Sorry - this isn't a scam, it's just business.

As with all transactions, it's your responsibility to shop around and get the best deal.

It doesn't seem fair, they they're a business I'm afraid, and don't have your best interests at heart.

[jacks365]

I bought a powerline adaptor recently, googled and reserved online because it was cheaper to reserve for store pickup and pay in store than it was to pick up off the shelf and pay in store. Bought a new tumble dryer if I ordered in store delivery would have cost me £30 or wait a month so I went home and ordered online and paid £4 for delivery 2 days later. High street retailers are trying to force people online so they can cut back on staff. You'd be wasting your time to complain.

[OrangeLily]

Sorry but that's fairly standard in lots if shops. It's just cheaper to shop online.

[Catsize]

Thanks for your replies. Think I should clarify that the staff were still needed, as it was a 'reserve and collect' service that had the higher rate. Arguably more work for the staff.
The irony is that I DID shop around, comparing rates etc. both online and in a couple of shops.
jacks, these are indeed crazy times!

[SpockSmashesScissors]

Lots of shops do this, Halfords for one I often find sell at a lower price if you reserve online and collect in store than just go in and buy off the shelf.

I assumed it was to try and compete with internet shops, if you just walk into the shop and buy you may not realise what you are buying is cheaper elsewhere as you would with online shopping.

[ilovepowerhoop]

I'm sure its the same with the post office too - they do better foreign currency rates if you buy online rather than go and buy instore.

[AnythingNotEverything]

I'm sure Martin Lewis said recently that at one point the cheapest and most expensive way to change money was with the same company in the airports - one for ordering online and picking up, and the other for just turning up on the day!

[SarahAndFuck]

Lots of shops do this.

DS wanted some Thomas the Tank Engine Take N Play play set from Toys R Us.

I checked availability online and the price was £17.99. Got to the shop and it was £27.00.

DH just reserved it on his phone while we were standing at the shelves and the confirmation came through about five minutes later, so we paid £17.99 in the end.

And I've got to add, it really wasn't worth it. Take n Play things are getting to be really cheap and badly made now compared to when we first started to buy it.

They said the online price is because the website for the store is a different company and has less overheads. Even if you then reserve it and collect it in-store.

It's made us aware of checking everything online before we buy something.

[ilovesooty]

Of course it's not a scam
And your thinking behind your decision to buy in the store at Thomas Cook seems illogical and emotional to me. Apply logic and common sense, read the small print carefully and you'll get a better deal.
Getting a prepaid card would give you far better rates and added security anyway.

[ilovesooty]

Caxton FX are offering 116.37 today.

[Catsize]

Thanks folks.
sooty, perhaps my reasoning is illogical and emotional, but then I am not the type to try something in a store and then buy it online. People who do this will bemoan the stores closing as they can't try anything any longer. Just like to do my bit where I can. Not sure there was any small print by the way. I take it that you get a different rate again on prepaid cards?
I wrongly thought that there would be no difference between 'reserve and collect' and, erm, 'collect'! The illogical bit for me is that more work for them = cheaper price. I can see the 'internet competition' argument, and some of the above stories are very surprising.
Lesson absorbed. TC can go jump!

[TarkaTheOtter]

It's price discrimination. The "savvy" customers will shop around online so to get their business they need to offer a better deal. Walk ins will tend to be more "naive" about the competitive rates and less likely to know what rates competitors are charging.
They should have been clearer about the rate when you bought in store.