To think the post office travel money at the desk is a rip off

[ainsisoisje]

Just exchanged currency in branch at local post office. I checked the rates afterwards as thought it was on the low side but I trust the post office and thought it’d be fairish. I’ve worked out I’m now 45 quid out of pocket because I went in person rather than ordering online and collecting from the same bloody branch. That seems astronomical to me. I’d probably have got a better rate at the airport! AIBU to be Putting aside the obvious that I should have triple checked rates before??

You get the worst rates at the airport. Surely everyone knows now that you need to book online for the best rates?

Buying something for a stupidly high price because you haven't checked the price elsewhere isn't a rip off, it's just stupidity.

If they told you one rate, but exchanged at a worse rate, that would be a rip off. But they didn't do that.

I think the problem with the post office is that they advertise preferential rates, and come up on comparison websites with that rate, but it's only in the small print that you have to pre-order to get this rate. As OP says, the post office is a venerated British institution and it's not what you'd expect from them - but there it is. I think the supermarket travel money set-up is the same - not sure.

I’ll be honest 40 quid difference for approx 700 euros with the same company seems mad.

Yeah that's why you need to shop around and usually order online

Post office is particularly crap. But then they’re crap for most services.

Best to use a no fee credit or debit card like Monzo or Starling.

I now use a Monzo card instead after feeling similar last year. Makes me feel better too than carrying that amount of cash.

The lady at my local post office basically refused to sell me euros over the counter in July. Told me to order online and collect, and I'm glad she did!

Oh thanks @lovelyupnorth hadn’t heard of that. Will look into that for next time

@SouthernComforts what a gem! That restores my faith somewhat.

My credit card charges nothing to take money out of ATM abroad, pay it off on return

Money saving expert website shows you rates for currency that you can collect or pre order

I order online and collect at the airport; you can get good rates that way. I simply pay cash, rounded up to the nearest euro or whatever currency I want.

In addition to what a pp said, the assistant in a local Thomas Cook used to tell people to nip over the road to get out cash to buy their currency rather than pay £10 admin fee for paying by card. There are staff with integrity in money exchange.