[Idyllchat] Exchange rate in Europe

[Russ Crum]

Phil,

That is a pretty hefty "commission" for their exchange. However, I  
don't think that is uncommon for merchants, regardless of the  
country, although not usually that bad. Even between the US and  
Canada (we live in MI also), I have occasionally seen bad exchange  
rates at merchants in Canada. (at least they will take USD. Try  
paying for something in the Detroit area with Canadian $)


Russ Crum
rrcrum at sbcglobal.net

On Jul 16, 2007, at 15:59, <pandjking at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Dear Idyllchatters,
>     Jane and I just got ripped off on the exchange rate at the  
> Frankfurt, Germany, airport and I thought I should alert you.
>     We were returning from Russia and had a short layover in  
> Frankfurt.  I decided to buy a Coke and a beer for us to enjoy  
> while killing time, so I went to a nearby concession stand.
>     I had no Euros, but there was a sign by the cash register that  
> said they "welcome" dollars and British pounds.
>     I expected to pay airport prices for the beer and Coke, and I  
> did:  E 3.00 for the Coke and E 3.30 for the beer, so that was no  
> big deal, albeit expensive.
>     I handed the girl a $20 bill.  She gave me back E 5.70 in  
> change, which I though was lots less than it should have been, so I  
> scrutinized the receipt.  There was an item posted that said "12.00"
>     I didn't have a clue as to what it was so I asked her.  She  
> said, "Well, this is Euros.  $20 U.S. equals 12 Euros."
>     I couldn't believe it.  $20 U.S. would have been 14.50 Euros at  
> the current exchange rate.  No wonder they "welcomed" dollars and  
> pounds.  They jacked up the exchange rate by 20% and sweetened  
> their profits.
>     I should have walked away, but my taste for a cold beer won out.
>     Watch out for the exchange rate thieves.  I didn't think they  
> existed anymore, but they sure do.  There is more than one way to  
> get your pocket picked, as I just found out.
>     Phil King
>     Spring Lake, MI
>
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