Foreign currency conversion - multiple currencies

[simongr]

Hi all

Bit of a n00b question here - sorry for that.

I have just gone through my ofrex bag and found I have a combination of foreign notes that would add up to a couple of hundred A$. Given my travel has been curtailed for the foreseeable future I am wondering whether it is worth converting to A$ rather than having sat in a bag gathering dust.

My only question is that if I go to a Bureau de Change with 3 currencies - do I get hit with the currency change fees?

Just wondering.

Cheers

S

 

[straitman]

Hi all

Bit of a n00b question here - sorry for that.

I have just gone through my ofrex bag and found I have a combination of foreign notes that would add up to a couple of hundred A$. Given my travel has been curtailed for the foreseeable future I am wondering whether it is worth converting to A$ rather than having sat in a bag gathering dust.

My only question is that if I go to a Bureau de Change with 3 currencies - do I get hit with the currency change fees?

Just wondering.

Cheers

S

simongr,

I tend to leave all my spare currency in an envelope 'until next time' as it's always handy to have a bit of odd currency when you get to a place. The changes in exchange rates hardly make a dent in few hundred dollars here or there.

 

[simongr]

That's what I have been doing - nicely labeled zip locks of various currencies (housed in a BA J amenity kit bag - I am truly a sad sad person) but with an impending reduction in travel and restriction on destinations I am wondering whether having a couple of hundred dollars tied up is a wise investment - that's an awful lot of comics

 

[oz_mark]

I tend to leave all my spare currency in an envelope 'until next time' as it's always handy to have a bit of odd currency when you get to a place. The changes in exchange rates hardly make a dent in few hundred dollars here or there.

I have had one experience when, by 'next time', they had replaced the notes on issue, and I had old outdated stuff....

 

[wandering_fred]

In Perth there are quite a number of Forex "hole-in-wall" type outlets with no commissions being charged. For small amounts that would be my choice. If they are close together, check the exchange rates first, they do tend to vary in Perth.

Now as for collections of small bills stuffed in old wallets / envelopes etc, I have some 1977 Iranian riyals and some 1983 Brazilian bills if anyone wishes to make an offer :shock:.... OTOH I did change my Hungarian bills before I left Europe this April.

Wandering as ever

Fred

 

[JohnK]

What are the 3 type of currencies you have left over? Isn't there anyone you know that would be interested in taking them off your hands for a fair exchange and avoid any currency conversion fees and lower exchange rates?

We have done this many times when coming back from overseas trips. If we have Euros left over and someone we know is going back to Europe then we come to some arrangement and similarly when I have needed Euros or US$ I have asked around if anyone has any they would like to offload. It usually works out to be beneficial to both parties.

 

[NM]

I always try to minimise the cash I take home from another country unless I know I will be back soon. I will sometimes pick up something for the family at the airport or use the cash for the airport transfer or even for part of the hotel bill.

A few times I have had some foreign cash in my wallet when I come across someone planning a first time trip to that country (Hong Kong) and was able to hand him a few hundred dollars and told him to buy himself a coke from me . He was reallyt chuffed to be given some foreign currency for his big trip.

I remember a few years ago, the day after returning from an ATW trip, I took my son to school. His class was going on an excursion that day and his teacher was desperate for a male parent to accompany the class and asked if I was available. I agreed to go and then found out one of the places to be visited was Brisbane International Airport where they would be given a guided tour.

The teacher was trying to explain the Travelex booth and about foreign currencies. I opened my wallet and passed around US$, GBP, Euros, HK$, and SIN$. The kids were amused by the different notes - the teacher just shook her head in wonderment and the airport tour guide asked if I wanted to take over the tour.

So it can come in handy.

 

[v8Statesman]

I have had one experience when, by 'next time', they had replaced the notes on issue, and I had old outdated stuff....

I have noticed this in Singapore. (Paper vs Plastic notes) But they still accept my paper notes.

Did you have a problem using your $$$?

 

[v8Statesman]

I have some 1977 Iranian riyals and some 1983 Brazilian bills if anyone wishes to make an offer :shock:....

The 1977 bills I'll happily remove from you. (Good vintage 1977:mrgreen

 

[serfty]

I visit NZ alot; so did not concern myself over taking a few NZ$ and ¢; I could always use them later.

However darkly last year I had a six month hiatus; lo and bold the next time I visited my NZ50¢ piece was rejected; they had gone to smaller coins.

Advice was given to go to a bank ...

 

[oz_mark]

I have noticed this in Singapore. (Paper vs Plastic notes) But they still accept my paper notes.

Did you have a problem using your $$$?

No, but I had to visit a bank, but you get that.

 

[JohnK]

I have had one experience when, by 'next time', they had replaced the notes on issue, and I had old outdated stuff....

I have notes and coins, from some European countries, which are no longer in circulation. They are worth at least several thousand Australian dollars but for now I am going to keep them. Could not care less if I cannot get cash from banks for them in the future but they will be collecters items.

The coin and note collection includes German Marks, Dutch Guilders, French Francs, Italian Lira, Austrian Schillings, Swiss Francs and Greek Drachmas. Recently I have added Polish Zlotys, Czech Korunys, Slovakian Korunys and Hungarian Forints.

On my recent trip I was also able to collect Euro coins from most European countries.