epinay Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 We have to send the deposit very soon and aren't sure how to get the best exchange rate - also the cheapest method of transferring funds these days.We were lucky in the past exchanging Euros to £, but the rate has gone the other way now and any advice will be welcome.Thanks in advanceEpinay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoverfrog Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 following advice on this forum, we transferred all our money for our house through Nationwide, as I had an account with them anyway. I can corroborate that a sum I transfered from Nat West cost me a lot more We paid the deposit in October, and based on that exchange rate worked out how much we needed for the balance. I've just transfered the remainder, and because of the fluctuating exchange rate we saved £3,700! As ours is a cheap house by most people's standards it definately pays to shop around and transfer at the right time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorejw Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Usually the best exchange rate will be obtained through a currency exchange company, and they charge no transfer fee - so you are quids in! There are plenty of them advertising in the French Mags., but I am happy to recommend World Wide Currencies (ask for Dave Foster 0208 464 5888)www.wwcurr.comThey are very helpful and all transactions by my clients have gone smoothly and to plan.Good Luck!Angie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Hello, we have used HIFX a few times with no problems. See http://www.hifx.co.uk/pservices/services.asp#emigrationGood luck to you...............John not Jackie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyphilpott Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I have had very good service from Currencies Direct with excellent exchange rates and efficient transfers.For small amounts I use Moneybookers, sometimes good sometimes not, but I prefer not to rely on them for larger amounts due to their disclaimers in respect of funds above £1k, which basically say that if they go bust you could lose your money.With the likes of Currencies Direct the funds are held in your own name (I hope!!) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arty Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 I used Moneycorp, very helpful guy called Ricky Nelson, good rates, 1st class service.I bought my place June 2003. Phone number was 0207 808 0500. I also agree with comments above above re nationwide. I use them for cash withdrawals I believe they are the only one that does'nt make a charge for withdrawing cash. Also the exchange rate has been best! Good luck, where are you buying? Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dg11 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 We used CaxtonFX to transfer both deposit and final payment in 2003. Good exchange rate, efficient and friendly service. Full details at www.caxtonfx.co.uk.DG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerM Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 A slight change of direction within this topic.....I have lived permanently in France now for 4 months. I have a Credit Agricole A/C, a UK bank account and a UK Building Soc. A/C. I have my pension paid into my Building Soc. and I am fortunate enough only to need to call down money to my French A/C about to or three times per year. However, I find the exchange rates and the transfer charges difficult to compare for value.How do others manage?RogerM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 [quote]A slight change of direction within this topic.....I have lived permanently in France now for 4 months. I have a Credit Agricole A/C, a UK bank account and a UK Building Soc. A/C. I have my pension pa...[/quote]" However, I find the exchange rates and the transfer charges difficult to compare for value."So do we. We are in the same boat except that Building Societies like C&G are going to close accounts for non-UK residents in April. Maybe you have maintained a UK address and if so this should not affect you. My Govt pension comes over monthly in Euros and I am not too happy about the rate but have no choice as to which bank Capita use. Other monies from UK bank accounts/Building Societies etc are, like you, brought over once or twice a year using HIFX. Tried sending a Sterling cheque to CA but the rate was not that good though OK for small urgent amounts I guess..................John not Jackie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerM Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Like you my former employer and pension payer (a local authority) would give me no flexibility on who carried out the transmission to France and they insisted on doing it monthly. This is why I keep two A/C's in England. I would prefer to use the Nationwide Building Soc. for everything but I am aware that they may close an A/C with a foreign address. If they do I shall use my son's address as they offer super services, are prompt and helpful. Their Internet Banking is the best I have found on the net.I thought about writing myself a cheque in £ and paying it into CA. I accept that the rate may not be the best but it should avoid transfer charges.RogerM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerM Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 [quote]" However, I find the exchange rates and the transfer charges difficult to compare for value." So do we. We are in the same boat except that Building Societies like C&G are going to close account...[/quote]Incidentally, as why the B.Soc. are concerned over foreign held A/C's is the accusation that they may be coniving at non declaration for tax purposes, there should not be a problem with a "....Govt. pension..." because these must be taxed in the UK. and cannot be taxed in France...or so I am told. Not yet had to complete a French Tax return.RogerM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorejw Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Re transferring regular small amounts - World Wide Currencies have brought in a new scheme for just this purpose, with very good rates. Have a look at WWW.WWCURR.COMAngie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaz2 Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I must admit we make a trip to the local CA each day and withdraw money from our Nationwide flex then pay the cash in. No charges and the rates seem to be what we see on the teletext. Much better than I was being quoted by HIFX. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I would be tempted to ring Britline at CA and see if they charge to receive a Sterling cheque and what rate they would give bearing in mind the rate they quote today will not likely be the same rate as when the cheque is received, if that makes sense..............................John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esperaza Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 Britline do charge to receive a Sterling cheque but not travellers cheques. ( See extract from the Britline web pages). Compte Service Equilibre (per month)5€Eurocard Mastercard immediate debit card34€ (second card 17€)Commission on card payments not in Euros 1.95% + 0.10€Handling fee - Cash withdrawals outside FranceDistributer 0.60% + 1 €Counter 0.60% + 5 €Re-issuing confidential code (PIN) for card *7.20€Bank to bank national French transfer3.70€Express bank to bank national French transfer to Notaire10.17€Issuing a Bankers Draft (Chèque de Banque) More sharing options... Please sign in to comment You will be able to leave a comment after signing in Sign In Now Share More sharing options... Followers 0 Go to topic listing All Activity Home Forums Legal and Finance French Finance Advice please re getting best exchange rate £ to Euros × Existing user? Sign In Complete France Browse Back Browse Forums Online Users Leaderboard Activity Back All Activity Search × Create New...
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