money to overseas

[Mr_Gimlet]

Hi everyone, hoping someone might be able to help me out here.

I am heading to the UK shortly and have to pay for some hifi gear in cash (it's second hand), probably around AUD3000. Given I'm not going to pay him without seeing the goods (ie no bank to bank transfer) I will be doing it cash.

What I am trying to work out is the best way is the best way to get the money - should I transfer it to a friend, or withdraw from cashpoints in the UK? WHich rates etc will be better, or really doesn't it matter?

[Zulaiha]

Transfer to an overseas account will attract a bank fee at least $20 from what I understand.

There is some talk about Wizard master card in this forum, why not using that?

Carrying 3,000 AUD is not much, that is another alternative.

[NM]

Travellers checks may be an option here. I rarely use of recommend them, but you could quickly and easily convert A$3000 worth of TCs to UK Pounds.

[Dave Noble]

Travellers checks may be an option here. I rarely use of recommend them, but you could quickly and easily convert A$3000 worth of TCs to UK Pounds.

I agree definately here. If you are not sure whether you will need to use them, then take Australian Dollars cheques so that you can pay them back into you bank account with the only expense having been the cost of getting the cheques

If you are almost certain to buy the article, then I would suggest GBP travellers cheques so that you can get them encashed for no charge in the UK ( or just pay the person with them )

Dave

[Mr_Gimlet]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I just discovered that the Monday I arrive in the UK is a public holiday, so I will have to take cash. It didn't work out much more expensive than the other options - Amex make a big deal about fee-free enchashment, but the limitations on it are less than ideal (eg need to be a customer of the cashing bank - highly likely, if I was a customer I wouldn't be carrying travellers cheques).