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al hambra
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I have read over and over how ATMs are perfectly reliable everywhere you go. It's not true.
My bank is in the USA and I have had overseas CitiBank ATMs with the same network that did not accept my ATM card. Also local banks in the same network that did not accept my ATM card. This was in Buenos Aires.
I have had to go to several ATMs in BKK before getting one to take my card, again supposedly in the same network.
In every case I have eventually found an ATM that worked, but it was not convenient...
Also, my bank hits me $3 for withdrawal and $3 for balance inquiry. Now I check my balance at the internet cafe before I go to the ATM, (now I will probably hear about the risks of identity theft at the internet cafe).
I agree with BigDUSA and the belt and suspenders approach. I am not in BKK to figure the exchange rate to the third decimal point or to take a tour of every ATM in town until one works.
I usually bring cash and TCs, then when I have overspent my budget I use the ATM card to get cash.
It is true that hotel exchange rates suck, but sometimes it is worth it for the convenience to make an exchange at the hotel for a small amount of money.
If you figure the difference for the amount you are exchanging you can decide if it is worth it to you to pay extra for the convenience of not running out to the Currency Exchange or bank.
You can make yourself a slave to being "smart" or you can enjoy your time in BKK.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:55 am on Oct. 12, 2005
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Maco88
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thanks Mr Alan, unfortunately as far as I can see, $200 TC's are the biggest we can get here in Oz, correct if I'm wrong my fellow ozzie mates.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 2:15 am on Oct. 12, 2005
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Blattsucker
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Isee : Walk the walk. When you walk about 15 minutes you must have past atleast 5 moneychangers. Read the exchangerates. You will notice that every bank has it's own exchangerate. So if you change money on monday at the Farmers bank, you maybe had the best deal that day. So you are out of money on friday and you walk the same walk to the Farmers bank. And when you get there you notice they are more expensive then the Militairy bank you past 5 minutes ago. So back to the Militairy bank. When you need money again on monday it will be a third bank that has the best exchangerate.
Don't ask why this is. I don't have a clue. I was surprised the first time also. But I think the 2 I mentioned are my favorite banks (rate wise).
Mr. Alan : Like you I do this from memory and I think you have to pay 30 Baht per check. Could be wrong tho.
And I never exchange $500 at once. I always do about $200 that is enough for me. The rest stays in the safe. So for that amount you loose some baht.
You were right about most things, but since I don't live in the USA my TC & CC is not free of charge. My post was more WHAT I do, not WHY I do it or if it was wise. That was in one of those 24 threads mentioned by China Sailor.
Al Hambra : You are right about crappy ATM's. Sometimes they just don't work. If that happens an hour before your plane leaves with a hotel bill to be payed (happend to me once) you are in real deep shit. Never take only 1 thing, especialy when that is electronic, you could be in a world of hurt. And it had nothing to do with being in the red.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:23 am on Oct. 12, 2005
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