post office money changers

[Phil Dean]

I went to the post office to change some money into TTs today.

I was surprised, having visited Tobago and having read the money elements on here, to be told that there was no benefit in changing to TTs and that I should change to US dollars.

After some discussion it became clear that the assistant didn't have any TTs (not a surprise) but didn't want the hastle of filling in the request form to get some as her book told her US Dollars would be fine.

I was just wondering whether there was any single source that suggestions such as "US DOllars are OK but TT's are better" could be put to to save these discussions?

[David Watkins]

Phil,In my opinion it is silly to change from £ to US$ to TT$.The fact is you will lose out doing this.I always take out about TT$3000 changed at my bank(Lloyds)and then use credit cards to pay bills,and debit card to draw cash from ATM's.You will also get a far better exchange rate at your bank--the PO is only a handling agent for a bureau so it als takes a commission-from you!!!Whilst yourback will normally gexchange commision free.
David
ps I also usually take £100 in TC's as a back up-once again no fees for this service either in purcahsing or selling back

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Phil

What you say doesn't surprise me in the least. I'm frankly amazed to hear that the Post Office CAN change money to TT$. You shouldn't have any problem with the banks though - although your local branch is highly unlikely to have TT$ in stock and you will need to order it a week or so in advance.

Sadly, I can't think of a single source where any such comment/warning is likely to be seen by other than a very small percentage of visitors.

[Caron Pople]

Hello Phil,

We went to Tobago in April of this year and I exchanged £400.00 into TT dollars at the Post Office. I had to give a couple of days' notice but there was no problem supplying the dollars. The only snag was the only note they supplied was TT$10.00 and I therefore had a huge wad of around 450 notes. I also had to wait a while for the money to be counted and checked! Still Woody on Turtle Beach didn't seem to mind when I paid him for an Island Tour for 4 of us in TT$10.00 notes – "money is money" he commented. I did feel that the exchange rate was very low, however, and when we went to Cyprus in the summer I changed money through Lloyds Bank and got a better rate.

I would agree with others on this site though in that when we go on holiday in the future (hopefully to Tobago soon) we will take enough money in local currency to last us a few days and then use credit cards or draw out cash using ATM machines. They are so convenient and safe and the exchange rate for us has so far worked out better.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Guys

Can I just add one other comment. I agree with David and Caron about using ATM machines to withdraw cash locally. In fact I don't even bother to arrange any cash before I go. The ATM wins hands-down when it comes to convenience. However, to make this financially viable, it is essential that you are only drawing cash on a zero-balance account, or at least on an account that will be fully settled by the due date. The moment you start paying credit card company interest on any cash drawn, then you are paying through the nose.

The other thing to check is how much your card company charges for foreign cash/ATM withdrawals. Some card companies really rip punters off.

[Mikael A]

Yeah i can never undestand this posts about change money before the trip.

Latest years i always only carried my visa bankcard "not a kredit card, just a regular bankcard wich has visa's abiltys when it come to use".

I never had anny problems what so ever, offcurse i havent been in the extrem remot areas off the world. But asia, us, europe, always worked perfect fine with visa at the atm machines,

That way i do not need to worry either that i get stolen on all my travel money, i take out as much i need for 2-3 days a time. So if know would end up for a pickpocket or annything simmilar its not the end off my vacation.

And yeah i think i pay like just abit more then 4 us dollar for ech withdrawl. Wich i can surive.

[Phil Dean]

i think I'll just be going for cash from the machine.

is there a map showing where the ATMs are on here.....?

I do remember that there is one somewhere near coco reef...........

not long now, is anyone else going to be out there between the 23rd and the 6th?

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Phil

Yes, its amazing what you will find browsing through the menu bar. Try Odds & Sods/Money Matters/Cash Machines. Bit too logical I suppose?

[Brian Taylor]

sometimes the mind is on holiday alreay, steve. don't judge to harshly

steph

[Phil Dean]

yeah, be nice, I'm already in liming mood!! ;-D