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Post Office dupes public

After joining the end of the queue (outside, in the street) at my local post office, I prepared myself for a long wait in line, and eventually reached the front door, to be greeted by a large banner that read. "Foreign Currency at 0% commission!" (or words to that effect). That might fool a lot of people (which I am sure is what was intended). Most people don't realise, of course, that they DO charge commission: they get it by selling currency at an inflated exchange rate. So would you say this advertisement contravenes fair trading standards?

Perhaps, now that they are making a profit again, they might start reopening the small post offices they closed down... What do you think? Any chance?

Al Deveron

Reply to
Al Deveron
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No.

ForEx commission is usually based upon a min and max charge. for people changing amounts smaller than the minimum, no commission is a good deal (over the competition).

There's no connection whatsoever

tim

Reply to
tim (back at home)

Doubt if it contravenes trade descriptions, but if it does it's not just the Post Office who are guilty. M&S, and those travel agents and BdeC who do not charge a direct commission and some of the banks do exactly the same.

As an aside some years ago the Post Office had a scheme whereby they would buy back your unused currency at the same exchange rate that you paid them for it, with a commission of 2%. The dear old British public preferred to go elsewhere for a no commission deal, failing to notice a

10% difference in the exchange rate in doing so. It only lasted a year or so.
Reply to
dtren

I think you need a life. tran

Reply to
Tranny

It's what you do in middle age. Yesterday I was wondering how according to my local Council anyone 3 or over can apply for a smartcard to use Council services. I mean how can a 3 year old apply for one?

Reply to
Colin Forrester

I tried to use that once, the obnoxious bint refused to take my money back, claiming that the whole thing was a figment of my imagination. I didn't have any proof and there wasn't much money involved so I didn't try taking it any further. I suppose that I was probably misinformed at the time of the first exchange by someone working from outdated memory...

James

Reply to
still_the_same_me

Harsh but fair...

Reply to
Cyber Scout

Harsh but fair...

Reply to
Cyber Scout

"tim (back at home)" wrote

I always buy foreign currency at the PO, usually fairly small amounts, and all Forex's naturally have different buying/selling prices, often plus commission, which usually means a minimum charge, which is the rub, if you only want small amounts. So you have to compare price for price.

I find it easier to send some US or Australian dollars in a birthday card for my grandchildren, rather than expensive parcels.

Reply to
Gordon

snipped-for-privacy@my-deja.com wrote

I sell mine back to the PO for zero commission.

Reply to
Gordon

He asks for the large print version of the form, and fills it in with a crayon.

Reply to
Jonathan Bryce

Thanks - you have made me smile (my coach is running 40 minutes late at the moment).

Reply to
Colin Forrester

Bitstring , from the wonderful person Colin Forrester said

If it's got a pointy-clicky online interface there are several 3 years olds who could probably manage much better than many 83 year olds. 8>. Now if it requires actual handwriting, ~10% of the 'adult' population are going to be stumped.

Reply to
GSV Three Minds in a Can

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