Selling dribs and drabs of currency

[grubbidok]

We're flying out to Europe in the near future (me for work, Mrs Grubbidok to tag along and I'll take 2 weeks leave at the end in Iceland). As you can imagine Iceland in summer is stretching the budget.

Over the years I've amassed a little box of foreign currency I keep on hand. I usually just pop it in a pile, as more often than not I'll be back in the country at some point and it will come in handy for buying snacks, cabfare or whatnot until I get to an ATM. However, for some reason or other some have sat there for a while and I can't think when I'll get back soon. As I was searching for Euro (only found 5, damn!) I did some sums and found there was at least $1200, even with a bad exchange rate. I was thinking this would definitely help to make the trip a little more pleasant and reduce financial anxiety!

I'll probably keep the NZD, USD and SGD, as I will be there in the foreseeable future. The others would make a nice little bonus for the European holiday. Problem is there's also a ragtag mix of ARS, GBP, INR, HKD, RMB, GBP, IDR and RUB (alas, no ISK from last time either!).

I've seen plenty of tips on getting the best rate *buying* currency (TBH I usually just use an ATM), but not for selling. Problem is I don't have a lot of one currency, just between $50-200 worth of quite a few.

Should we convert to Euro before we fly out (Sydney), in transit in Singapore or somewhere near Paris when we get in (or elsewhere in Europe - I'm working in Germany)? Am I better off just getting it all in AUD, throwing it in my bank and using the ATM in France?

Any tips would be most appreciated!

 

[Mal]

EBay might be good for selling random bits of currency.

 

[vitagen]

I'll trade you some aud for euro!

 

[Cynicor]

In transit in SIN, how long do you have? You will get better rates in the airport at Changi than on the streets of AU, but if you have 3-4 hours or more, I would MRT to the city/little India/Chinatown (outran park will probably be your best bet, then walk or change to Chinatown.

You can see if it is worth it by looking at rates on Mustafa, the singapore department store. If you are going to be up by more than $10ish, it's probably worth the $5 round fare... I suggest you will be better off by around at least $100AUD though.

Also, Mustafa will probably accept the widest range of currency but you should be fine in most places. I would change it all to SIN then do a conversion in a batch to euro so you get the best possible rate

 

[Isochronous]

I'd be interested in your RMB and HKD.

 

[Cynicor]

Where are you based? As you can see from above, members may be able to purchase off you at a rate both are happy with. I'd take IDE,MYR, possibly some HKD too. PER based.

 

[admin]

I am going to close this thread. Please see our posting guidelines at What's permitted and what's not permitted - we don't permit the "solicitation" of anything. I realise that this might not have been the OP intention, but that is how the thread is developing. No one wants AFF to morph into a "Swap Mart". Thanks for your understanding.