Colby, like all of these people you have to check the "terms and conditions" (T&Cs as we say) TravelEx are here . At €2 per ATM they look poor.... But I'm sure other will be better, it's a case of a Google of "best pre-paid Euro card" and check the T&Cs. Mine from the UK charges zero for an ATM transaction, but the load rate is a fraction less than others... You are saying your deals are free of charge, but that's the same with companies in the UK, they just then stich you for poor rates of exchange! Perhaps the USA is different, but I doubt it...
Colby why don't you simply use a pre-paid Euro card which you can top-up as and when you need to. Not too sure how or if they are used much in the USA, but they are widely used in the UK. Certainly those offered in the UK are very flexible and seem to fit in with what you intend to do. Although it is slowly changing Italy is still mainly a cash based place. ATM where you can use these cards are available in even the smallest places. We’ve used one from the UK for 2-3 years now and found it invaluable. It can also be used as an everyday credit card for VISA or Mastercard payments (depending on which you get). This LINK for travelex seems to be USA based, I'm sure there are others. Paypal may be another option for hotels as many here accept it for payment.
She disagrees with a lot, especially if you don't agree with her... I guess she is disagreeing in this case with the comment on Leroy being more expensive - it is... Pity she can’t be more affable, but hey this is an open forum, you are always going to get one or two. As usual, she is wrong and has likely never done any shopping at either, have a look at the link, but also check locally ….
Try this site, you will of course need to know the Italian for the item(s) you are looking for. Your local ferramenta will likely sell most items, and a lot cheaper and/or better quality than Leroy Merlin.
Ugo I agree if there is accounts you can apply for online, but I would guess you will still have to print off your application, send it off and still have to go in to sign lots of pages before you get your account.... That is Italy and unless you have been in other countries for some length of time to compare, I appreciate it is difficult to understand. Also it is a lot easier and cost effective to have your account in advance and exchange currency when the rates are in your favour. Currency fluctuation was by far our biggest problem when buying, yes you can get a fixed rate, but that’s also normally for a fix time and if things get delayed, as they often do, it can be very worrying.
It is not the fact of having a branch in their own country Ugo it is the possibility of getting this done in their own country to save time if they have little when over in Italy and lots to do. It will also help if they do not speak good Italian.
If you have one near you, perhaps you could try to open an Italian account there. The bigger banks in Italy have branches all over the world in bigger cities...
Your best option would be to find a local store, these are normally no bigger than a house here and may well not be too obvious. Don’t be put off by the lack of products on display, many carry little, but they have numerous catalogues of every type and value product you could think of. Tell them what you want and what you are looking to pay and they will show you many. Delivery will be free, fitting will be free and you won’t get better service. Problem might be the length of time you are there. Assume Ikea is not what you are looking for or perhaps Mondo here? Both these are on line and the latter you could possibly order some of what you want before you get there. Best of luck.
Comments posted
Colby, like all of these people you have to check the "terms and conditions" (T&Cs as we say) TravelEx are here . At €2 per ATM they look poor.... But I'm sure other will be better, it's a case of a Google of "best pre-paid Euro card" and check the T&Cs. Mine from the UK charges zero for an ATM transaction, but the load rate is a fraction less than others... You are saying your deals are free of charge, but that's the same with companies in the UK, they just then stich you for poor rates of exchange! Perhaps the USA is different, but I doubt it...
Colby why don't you simply use a pre-paid Euro card which you can top-up as and when you need to. Not too sure how or if they are used much in the USA, but they are widely used in the UK. Certainly those offered in the UK are very flexible and seem to fit in with what you intend to do. Although it is slowly changing Italy is still mainly a cash based place. ATM where you can use these cards are available in even the smallest places. We’ve used one from the UK for 2-3 years now and found it invaluable. It can also be used as an everyday credit card for VISA or Mastercard payments (depending on which you get). This LINK for travelex seems to be USA based, I'm sure there are others. Paypal may be another option for hotels as many here accept it for payment.
Obviously never click on the last post...
She disagrees with a lot, especially if you don't agree with her... I guess she is disagreeing in this case with the comment on Leroy being more expensive - it is... Pity she can’t be more affable, but hey this is an open forum, you are always going to get one or two. As usual, she is wrong and has likely never done any shopping at either, have a look at the link, but also check locally ….
Try this site, you will of course need to know the Italian for the item(s) you are looking for. Your local ferramenta will likely sell most items, and a lot cheaper and/or better quality than Leroy Merlin.
Okay Ugo, think the OP will understand...
Ugo I agree if there is accounts you can apply for online, but I would guess you will still have to print off your application, send it off and still have to go in to sign lots of pages before you get your account.... That is Italy and unless you have been in other countries for some length of time to compare, I appreciate it is difficult to understand. Also it is a lot easier and cost effective to have your account in advance and exchange currency when the rates are in your favour. Currency fluctuation was by far our biggest problem when buying, yes you can get a fixed rate, but that’s also normally for a fix time and if things get delayed, as they often do, it can be very worrying.
It is not the fact of having a branch in their own country Ugo it is the possibility of getting this done in their own country to save time if they have little when over in Italy and lots to do. It will also help if they do not speak good Italian.
If you have one near you, perhaps you could try to open an Italian account there. The bigger banks in Italy have branches all over the world in bigger cities...
Your best option would be to find a local store, these are normally no bigger than a house here and may well not be too obvious. Don’t be put off by the lack of products on display, many carry little, but they have numerous catalogues of every type and value product you could think of. Tell them what you want and what you are looking to pay and they will show you many. Delivery will be free, fitting will be free and you won’t get better service. Problem might be the length of time you are there. Assume Ikea is not what you are looking for or perhaps Mondo here? Both these are on line and the latter you could possibly order some of what you want before you get there. Best of luck.