Currency Exchange - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

something · 09-12-2011, 04:18 PM

Can anyone offer some advice:

I went to the bank to change back some foreign currency (Yen) to CAD. The teller told me they do not exchange coins... though I do have a substantial amount in coins.

Does anyone know where to go to exchange coins?

bizaro86 · 09-12-2011, 04:25 PM

I'm not aware of any institution that will exchange foreign coins. Even the currency exchange places (ie Calforex) which specialize in currency exchange and have (usually) better rates than the banks won't take coins.

Probably will have to save them for a future trip, or find someone who is going to buy them off you. (Probably at a discount)

Bill Bumface · 09-12-2011, 04:48 PM

I think I ended up with about $50 in Swiss Francs in my drawer because they have 5 Franc coins and every time I would go back I'd forget to take my old ones. Luckily I know someone who is there right now and actually remembered to give them away. Even in Europe no one would change them.

Sr. Mints · 09-12-2011, 07:25 PM

How much do you have? I'm going to Japan in December.

Kybosh · 09-12-2011, 07:30 PM

I just end up keeping all the coins as souvenirs. I have "souvenirs" from at least 25 countries now because I can't exchange them.

Wormius · 09-12-2011, 08:03 PM

It would be great if we could coordinate a trade of currency here at fair exchange rate only. The only thing the companies offer is maybe insurance that the money isn't counterfeit, if that.

I have a lot of Chinese yuan if anybody wants, and doesn't want to pay fees.

I am also looking for US for my occasional cross-border shopping trips.

Cecil Terwilliger · 09-12-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kybosh

I just end up keeping all the coins as souvenirs. I have "souvenirs" from at least 25 countries now because I can't exchange them.

I'm just going to go ahead and hijack this thread because the OP seems to have his answer. And mostly just for my own purposes.

I have never left NA and have only ever traveled out of Canada 3 or 4 times. I've only been to 4 provinces and 3 states.

Yet I have the following coins:

...

Actually you know what, I don't even have time to list each and every coin. Here are all the different countries I have collected in the last 20 years or so:

Malaysia
Thailand
Philipines
Singapore
Hong Kong
Japan
New Zealand
Mexico
Brazil
Barbados
Costa Rica
East Carribean States
Cuba
Various Euros
Belgium (1944 War Era 2 Francs)
West Germany
Czech Republic
Republic of Ireland

Plus I have a ton of Canadian and US coins from the 20s-60s.

Kybosh · 09-12-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I'm just going to go ahead and hijack this thread because the OP seems to have his answer. And mostly just for my own purposes.

I have never left NA and have only ever traveled out of Canada 3 or 4 times. I've only been to 4 provinces and 3 states.

Yet I have the following coins:

...

I plan on just giving my old coins to my kids at some point (assuming I have some). The coins aren't really worth anything, but to a kid they would be exotic treasure. Plus, I keep getting more and more from all kinds of countries.

Actually, if I end up with a decent amount of coinage I usually end up spending as much as possible on beer at the airport before leaving.

bizaro86 · 09-13-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wormius

It would be great if we could coordinate a trade of currency here at fair exchange rate only. The only thing the companies offer is maybe insurance that the money isn't counterfeit, if that.

I have a lot of Chinese yuan if anybody wants, and doesn't want to pay fees.

I am also looking for US for my occasional cross-border shopping trips.

This is a good idea. I would suggest using the midmarket rate from xe.com or google (type 1 CAD to USD into the search bar, or whatever currency) as a reference, that way neither person is paying fees.

It would be especially useful if you could trade two non-Canadian currencies, since normally you have to pay 2 fees to exchange like that. (IE USD to Yen or something).

I could trade Canadian or US Dollars, and would be looking for Hong Kong Dollars or Thai Baht currently, if anyone is interested.

mykalberta · 09-13-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I'm just going to go ahead and hijack this thread because the OP seems to have his answer. And mostly just for my own purposes.

I have never left NA and have only ever traveled out of Canada 3 or 4 times. I've only been to 4 provinces and 3 states.

Yet I have the following coins:

...

Actually you know what, I don't even have time to list each and every coin. Here are all the different countries I have collected in the last 20 years or so:

Malaysia
Thailand
Philipines
Singapore
Hong Kong
Japan
New Zealand
Mexico
Brazil
Barbados
Costa Rica
East Carribean States
Cuba
Various Euros
Belgium (1944 War Era 2 Francs)
West Germany
Czech Republic
Republic of Ireland

Plus I have a ton of Canadian and US coins from the 20s-60s.

? Awesome.

Just to hijack, I have a green plant with red leaves on my kitchen table in my dining area.

bizaro86 · 09-13-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

? Awesome.

Just to hijack, I have a green plant with red leaves on my kitchen table in my dining area.

If it's in your kitchen, it's probably edible.

Wormius · 09-13-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizaro86

This is a good idea. I would suggest using the midmarket rate from xe.com or google (type 1 CAD to USD into the search bar, or whatever currency) as a reference, that way neither person is paying fees.

It would be especially useful if you could trade two non-Canadian currencies, since normally you have to pay 2 fees to exchange like that. (IE USD to Yen or something).

I could trade Canadian or US Dollars, and would be looking for Hong Kong Dollars or Thai Baht currently, if anyone is interested.

What are they using in HK? Are they using the same Yuan as mainland China or their own currency?

bizaro86 · 09-13-2011, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wormius

What are they using in HK? Are they using the same Yuan as mainland China or their own currency?

Hong Kong has it's own currency, the Hong Kong Dollar. I saw your post upthread and thought it was too bad, since I did mainland China last year. I still think this is a good idea, as paying currency exchange fees really GMG.

Ben_in_Canada · 09-13-2011, 12:15 PM

I usually donate my change when leaving the plane (Qantas offers this at the airports in Australia). American change I just keep because it's likley i'll use it some time

Cecil Terwilliger · 09-13-2011, 12:25 PM

As long as it is remotely similar in size and shape you can easily pass it off as Canadian currency. Not all together but slip in a coin similar to a quarter/dime/nickel/penny without much trouble.

Violator · 09-13-2011, 03:37 PM

Use it in old vending machines

Fobby · 09-26-2011, 10:26 AM

bump.

I am looking for some RMB and HKD, is it better to go into a bank? or is it better to go into a foreign exchange place such as Calforex?

Calforex has a deal for APEGGA members which states NO OTHER or HIDDEN fees.. but I can't find what the actual fees are.

bizaro86 · 09-26-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fobby

bump.

I am looking for some RMB and HKD, is it better to go into a bank? or is it better to go into a foreign exchange place such as Calforex?

Calforex has a deal for APEGGA members which states NO OTHER or HIDDEN fees.. but I can't find what the actual fees are.

I've never found a bank that had better pricing than Calforex. Your best pricing on forex is usually by using your bank card locally in the foreign country. If you want some before you go, Calforex (or similar) is usually your best bet.

I looked up the APEGGA deal, and it seems to require a minimum of $1000 transaction, which may or may not work for you. Their usual fee is around $3.50 plus the spread they make on the rate, which can be significant for less popular currencies.

You may also want to get them a bit in advance, they were out of RMB a couple of times when I needed some in the spring.

Fobby · 09-26-2011, 11:26 AM

Thanks bizaro.

I looked into the foreign ATM as well, but I believe i get a fee of 5 bucks / withdraw so that doesn't really work that nicely...

seattleflamer · 09-26-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fobby

Thanks bizaro.

I looked into the foreign ATM as well, but I believe i get a fee of 5 bucks / withdraw so that doesn't really work that nicely...

I move money b/w US and Canadian frequently using Customhouse now bought out by Western Union. I've had a long relationship with the Vancouver office and deal with bigger amounts so it may be more expensive for smaller amounts but as of 9/26 in the AM, CAN$1000 gets you $7440 HKD.

All fees are built into the spread. There is a bit of hassle to create an account b/c of compliancy issues to prevent money laundering but fyi anyway. PM me if you want my contact.