Kalkan Turkey Forum - EnjoyKalkan.com
Kalkan Discussion => Money & Finance => Topic started by: Cuddles on March 09, 2011, 04:12:30 PM
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I note that the pound, after rising to 2.645 on the wholesale markets last week, is starting to slip a bit. So today I had a look around at exchange rates in Bournemouth stores that had in-store bureau-de-change. Sainsbury's were only offering 2.42, M&S 2.44 and Tesco were best at 2.47. (all rounded to nearest whole Kurus).
In the past I have just got money in dribs and drabs from an ATM in Kalkan with my Nationwide flex account debit card. Now that Nationwide have started charging for that, ( £2.68 to take out just 100€ (£84.40) recently) I am re- thinking that strategy.
I found via www.themoneysavingexpert.com that it was possible to order foreign exchange on the net and get a better rate (2.49 at www.www.iceplc.com) than in the High St.
What are the rest of the users of this forum doing now for their TL?
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Taking more in currency than normal...(rental place has secure safe)and will draw out more than normal as nationwide charge is per transaction so probably 2 transactions rather than several.....
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Taking more in currency than normal...(rental place has secure safe)and will draw out more than normal as nationwide charge is per transaction so probably 2 transactions rather than several.....
Is that currency TL or £? If £, where do you change it?
Rates in shops have dropped over the past couple of years and the post office charges commission now. So, that leaves the banks and it's because of the queues that I started to use the ATM's. (I know, there's no pleasing some people!)
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TL ..bought in dribs and drabs so less painful!! ;)
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Here in Kalkan got over 2.6 last week, but today TL strengthened to 2.56... but still a good rate ! Probably a better rate than in the UK...suggest you bring sterling and change it in Kalkan.
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I change my cash to currency so i don't spend it!!!!! once in TL it's safe!! mr wetherspoon can't get it :P
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I followed the advice of moneysavingexpert.com and now have a Halifax Clarity card. I use it just for money/ atm's abroad and to purchase flights. The rate is v good I also pay it off immediately ie within a couple of days of returning home. I do have a Halifax a/c which I keep a small amount in enough to cover the card, this means I can transfer money over on-line. A friend who is a financial advisor also uses the card.
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I have been buying £200 of Lira when the rate has been good. Last week got it for 2.50 in M&S, They told me that they have been promoting the turkish Lira,
We normally take £100 in lira out and then get it exchanged in the hotel which is normally better than the shops, hopefully it will not slip that much and I will get some more before June.
I think we only got 2.20 ish last year.
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Well, I got TL1250 for 501.04 yesterday from www.iceplc.com . There is a £3.95 handling charge on amounts under £500 but free over that amount.
In fact after seeing that the money markets have dropped the rate again, I went back at 08.00 and ordered the same again. And I got the same rate!
Tonik, Yes I saw that on MSE some time ago and have done nothing about it. I have to go into local Halifax this morning, will make further enquiries.
BarbH. See my original post, M&S were offering less than Tesco. Also, which hotel please? In most resorts the hotel rates are dire.
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We stay in the Meldi Hotel and have always got a better rate than the locl shops, the post office charge commission, The only problem is if there is enough Lira in the till at the time!
M&S always have turkish Lira in stock and you can get any amount at the same rate whereas Thomas Coook and others want you to buy large amounts.
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Thank you for that BarbH.
Enquired about clarity card at Halifax and found that it is a credit card that obviously charges interest on any money taken out through an ATM but, there is no fee added for doing so. They told me that you cannot charge it before you go by paying cash into the account and avoiding the interest that way.
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Hi Grumpygrampy, Last December I went to Paris. I withdrew 265 euros and it cost me a total of 85 pence in interest costs. The daily rate is 0.033% per day. The 85 pence was accrued from 4th dec -16th jan which is why I now pay it off asap. Probably more info than you need but thought it better to try and explain. Hope thats helpful
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Well, I have to say that I am impressed with www.iceplc.com They said it would be here by 1pm today on the website, and it was here at 12.30pm. I will definitely use them again.
Many thanks to all who tried to help this poor, nearly old age pensioner.