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danbrew
WayToRussified
Joined: 10 Nov 2005
Posts: 355
Location: Chicago, IL
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 Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| Yep. I've had US $100 bills rejected by hotels and banks because there were staples marks on the bill (somebody has stapled something to it) and because there were ink marks on the bills. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| take clean bills always...crisp new ones and be sure the dates are newer too. But also I would say you would be better off with euros |
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european
Frequent Guest
Joined: 24 Oct 2007
Posts: 30
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 2:48 am Post subject: |
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| I was told that if the bills do not look new, for instance if someone wrote something on them, banks or exchange booths will give 10% less rubels in exchange. When do these people (the banks) learn? |
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danbrew
WayToRussified
Joined: 10 Nov 2005
Posts: 355
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:24 am Post subject: |
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| european wrote: | | I was told that if the bills do not look new, for instance if someone wrote something on them, banks or exchange booths will give 10% less rubels in exchange. When do these people (the banks) learn? |
That's not my experience - my experience indicates they just won't take them period. |
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Paul Varjak
Frequent Guest
Joined: 30 Jul 2005
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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| darthvader wrote: | | Garfield wrote: | | Just use the ATMs |
Are there many ATMs in Moscow and St Petersburg that are "Cirrus" compatible? |
I think you will find they are all compatible. All the ones I used in St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod are.
The real trick is to get a Nationwide account (assuming you are a UK citizen) with a Cirrus debit card as these have no fees on cash withdrawl and no loaded exchange rate.
You can also use Nationwide Credit Card for purchases (with no fee and no loading on the exchange rate) and benefit from S75 on the Consumer Credit Act (1974).
I have never taken USD to Russia. I got some roubles the first time I went and used my Nationwide Cirrus card to withdraw roubles as required. I always take some roubles back to UK ready for my next trip. |
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froid
Frequent Guest
Joined: 25 May 2007
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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As a Canadian it is very easy for me to get US dollars...hell even some of our machines can give you US money directly. I used to always bring US to Russia in several trips however I have now switched to Euros for one reason. Once you are outside the BIG cities, you may find that they will charge you an extra % for any US bills that are not the NEW more secure bills.
Since they consider the Euro a more secure currency you don't get that extra % taken off.
So take some euros and you can definitely use the bank machines to top up as most machines have some sort of major network attached to them. |
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Elwood
Just Starting
Joined: 29 Oct 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:18 am Post subject: |
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I agree with the others that say bring a small amount of cash and your credit / atm card.
BUT, before you go. Take a look around for banks that rebate your ATM fees. You can always set up an account for just the trip and fund it with your spending money. You get the best exchange rate via the ATM and you won't pay fees to get it.
Make sure your bank knows you are going overseas. My bank ( BOA ) stranded me in Penza with a $10 bill in my pocket that no one would exchange on a night when it was -20. And no, that phone number on your card might not get you to the department that cut off your card.
But. don't let that scare you.. Just take precautions. Your regular card, a backup and a little cash and you will be just fine. |
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Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 340
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Elwood wrote: | | BUT, before you go. Take a look around for banks that rebate your ATM fees. You can always set up an account for just the trip and fund it with your spending money. You get the best exchange rate via the ATM and you won't pay fees to get it. |
Is it possible for non-resident to open account in Sberbank? If you able to open such account it will be great as Sberbank is the bank with the most wide network of offices and ATMs. Their fees usually low also. |
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Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 340
Location: Ural mountains
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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| danbrew wrote: | | Yep. I've had US $100 bills rejected by hotels and banks because there were staples marks on the bill (somebody has stapled something to it) and because there were ink marks on the bills. |
This state still continues. I don't know why this idiotism still happens. Some banks don't want to take US dollars with small damages or dirt on them. They require brand new USD!!! 
Every time I express my emotions on them they invent one of common lies: something like than western banks require new banknotes from them or other customers don't take damaged banknotes... Bank of Russia has given them too much freedom. Some of them need to be closed, really! I regularly sell USD because such banks have better exchange rate but they usually refuse to take one or two banknotes even if I check them very carefull.
P.S. Sberbank takes banknotes of any quality, but their exchange rate is not best. Something in the middle. |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1390
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Ender wrote: |
Is it possible for non-resident to open account in Sberbank? If you able to open such account it will be great as Sberbank is the bank with the most wide network of offices and ATMs. Their fees usually low also. |
For the average tourist it probably wouldn't be worth the effort.
Having dealt with Sberbank a couple of times as a foreigner, for simple things like paying visa registration fees, I found the paperwork and red tape mind boggling.
I just use their ATMs and am on my way in 30 seconds, the fees are not over the top. |
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