If I was to bring Canadian funny money down to the states, where would it be best to get it converted at?
If I was to bring Canadian funny money down to the states, where would it be best to get it converted at?
Your bank . Main branch, unless you 're a mule. 
May want to hold it for the exchange rate, it changes regularly.
Don't. Do it in Canada.
I converted a large sum of british pounds at my local bank. As long as it's under 10 grand us, they're a lot less suspicious
Zomby woof wrote: Don't. Do it in Canada.
It makes my situation difficult if I do. It's not a large sum, only $3k, but still... if it means a couple hundred dollars difference though, I'll try to get it done in Canada.
$3k is probably too much to pull out of an ATM, but using your Canadian bank card at a US ATM will get you the same rate as if you did it at your bank in Canada.
If you're crossing the border with that much cash, be prepared to explain it. You have to declare if you're crossing with more than $10,000 but a few times over the last few weeks when I've been crossing (I cross 5-6 times a week) the US customs agent has asked me if I'm travelling with more than $1000. As long as you have a legitimate reason I'm sure you'll be fine though.
Bob
Going to buy an rally car? 
Don't do it at the currency booth at the airport. Most important rule.
IME you usually get the best exchange rate if you use a debit card and an ATM. Next up would be currency exchangers, but not at the airport as these guys tend to work on slightly lower margins, then banks.
The differences aren't going to be that big on $3k, though.
I was hoping he ,rant something like "where to concert money into a R32 Skyline" or something.
Getting it done at a US bank will likely be a problem. Most don't handle currency exchanges in their branches, particularly if you are not a customer, and the few that do will charge a lot. You are better getting it done in Canada at your bank.
I always try to my Mastercard when traveling to Canada and not cash. The exchange rate is good and they charge a small percentage on each transaction.
US banks won't give you the time of day if you're not an account holder.
I don't get why you'd need to bring the money down in Canadian funds when it's easy enough to have your local bank branch give you the money in $US.
If it's because you're not sure how much you'll need for a purchase, then get what you know you'll need in $US right away. You can always top up from a local ATM and get a decent rate of exchange.
What about a bank draft?
Visa?
I've always heard that ATM transactions give you the best rates.
Although when I went to costa rica, I changed a few hundred. Then the US dollar dropped and suddenly I made money overnight. That was cool!
Zomby woof wrote: Don't. Do it in Canada.
Agreed. Your dollar is strong right now compared to ours. For the last several decades it has been the other way around. You nice northern folks just love our green dollars and are eager to trade, mix-n-match, estimate, round up to the next dollar, and generally kiss our dollars' butts to make us happy. This summer when the dollar had inverted and ours was only worth about $0.92, most retailers just gave us par for our dollar. One guy at a coffee shop even told me with a big Canadian smile, "don't worry about it - you're here on holiday helping our economy. Why would I punish you for that?"
... But if you come 20 metres across on our side with a Loonie and you can't buy a handshake.
Sorry that we suck at money. 
Another option is to get an account with a bank that has presence in both countries. For instance, TD is in bed with Waterhouse investments down here. That might let you put money in an account up there, then come down here and write a check at a branch. Since you have an account that they can access and see, they might be able to get you cash. I've written checks all the time in Canada - you just write it for $500CDN and when it clears my bank in the US they use the exchange rate of the day to figure out how much to debit my account.
I also heard that CIBC has a counterpart down here... not sure though
Send it to me, I know a guy who might be able to help. 
Wally wrote: Send it to me, I know a guy who might be able to help.
The funniest thing is, if I had to hunt you down to get the money back, its not like I won't be in New York next weekend or anything 
I once exchanged greenbacks for euros before an overseas trip. Any of the mega banks should have an exchange teller.
A LOT of people are telling me to simply make sure my Canadian chequing account does not have a withdrawal per day limit on it and to take the money out at a US atm with my debit card. Sound legitimate?
HiTempguy wrote: A LOT of people are telling me to simply make sure my Canadian chequing account does not have a withdrawal per day limit on it and to take the money out at a US atm with my debit card. Sound legitimate?
My bank is internet-only, no branches, so when I need cash, I just call up and ask that they raise my daily withdrawal limit. They ask me how much, ask if they should add a little padding for ATM fees (which they actually refund at the end of the month), and in a couple of minutes, it's set for the rest of the day. Then the issue becomes getting the cash out - most ATMs in NYC have a $500/transaction limit. And you get $20s. So $3000 is six trips through the stupid ATM menus (including entering your PIN), and a sheaf of money. No good way around that, AFAIK.
Does your Canadian bank have branches down here?
Yeah but let them know that you're going to do this ahead of time. Otherwise they may lock your account for identity theft!
HiTempguy wrote: A LOT of people are telling me to simply make sure my Canadian chequing account does not have a withdrawal per day limit on it and to take the money out at a US atm with my debit card. Sound legitimate?
I do that all the time. I've taken money out of my German & Canadian accounts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U.K., Bulgaria, the Carribean, and who knows where else. It generally works.
Your Canadian debit card will probably have "Plus" on it - most of mine do - or "Maestro" (which is done by Mastercard). Just make sure the ATM you're using supports that protocall and you'll be fine. They generally show the Plus/Maestro logos as stickers on the front.
If you're really paranoid you can call your bank ahead of time and warn them you'll be travelling so that they don't block the foreign transactions as suspicious, but if you're just in the U.S. they're probably not going to care. (I've never had that happen but a friend of mine did, but that was after he entered his PIN wrong twice and had to call his girlfriend from Jakarta to get her to tell him what it was. Sheesh...)
Oh, I already know the steps for contacting my bank. I travel a lot for racing, I've had my credit cards and debit card cut off numerous times when traveling out east/the US 
Thanks guys for the suggestions, afaik, there is no service charge either for the actual conversion of currency when withdrawing from an ATM (it just does a straight "what is it worth" exchange), but there probably will be a $3 per transaction fee for using my Canadian card in the US which is fine by me.
HiTempguy wrote: A LOT of people are telling me to simply make sure my Canadian chequing account does not have a withdrawal per day limit on it and to take the money out at a US atm with my debit card. Sound legitimate?
I've done this in Mexico. Best way to get Pesos.
Like you said - make sure your bank nows and it will be no problem.
You'll need to log in to post.
