Well top marks to Toky, as the "Cheque Centre" did indeed have the best rate. Sadly I got so very close to using them but alas not. When I went in there were 2 people being served at 2 counters and one person waiting. One guy wanted 400 Euros but on his bank card which was empty so was looking for an advance/post dated lump of cash and also to have it in Euros.
After about 10 minutes the guy at the other window had signed 59 seperate forms and was given some cash. He was replaced by the girl waiting before me - she also seemed to want money using her bank card and there were several forms for that. Over and above that she appeared to know the girl serving so we got to hear about the health of every member of her family.
Another 10 minutes passed and it was my turn. I explained that my requirement was very straightforward, I didn't want any free cash or cheques cashed, I wanted some Euros. I put my sterlings under the window and was told that they could "only do it in 10s". This was surprising as my money was in her hand, the guy beside me didn't have any money and a big pile of 50s awaited him once he completed his forms. I said 10s would have to do. The girl opened her money drawer, only to find there we no euros at all in it. The other girl had "transferred" all the euros across to her money drawer. I was informed that the girl serving me would have to transfer it back by making a request on the computer.
I looked across at the pile of euros and looked back at her. "Oh, it's not just a case of picking them up and putting them in my drawer you know, I have to do it via the computer first". 5 minutes more passed with tuts and comments about how the computers were so slow today. "See the problem is, I can't give you the money until the computer shows that it is in my drawer to give". Given that it took me 20 minutes to actually get served, then all this, I felt I had no option other than to say "Look darling, I've been here nearly half an hour, I don't want money I haven't actually got, I wanted to give you pounds and you give me back Euros. Please, give me my money back". After apologies and a couple of "are you sure?"'s, I got my money back and walked out like the moodiest man in Britain.
I went to M&S, the exchange rate was lower, but so was my heart rate - in and out in 5 minutes and that was with someone being served before me.
