Sending money through post?
#1
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: currently Granada, Spain
Posts: 16
Sending money through post?
Hi. I am the same person who a few days ago panicked about not being able to exchange my northern irish pounds into euros here in granada.. Well, the story continues, 'cos the same bank that could exchange them yesterday, now suddenly cannot do so any longer. I spoke to my bank in Northern Ireland, the same bank that issued those bl... banknotes and was told if I send the notes to them through registered post, they would lodge that amount onto my debit card. I thought "great". Went to the correo. Was told no es possible, 'cos by law spanish post cannot send cash anywhere and there is no way I could send those same notes out of the country, short of carrying them on my person across the border. Now I am thinking: 1. send them anyway and risk (policia, possibly worse), 2. open a bank account here, pay the opening charge, have everything exchanged in euros just when the pound is gaining on value. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr... am really angry...
#2
Re: Sending money through post?
Hi. I am the same person who a few days ago panicked about not being able to exchange my northern irish pounds into euros here in granada.. Well, the story continues, 'cos the same bank that could exchange them yesterday, now suddenly cannot do so any longer. I spoke to my bank in Northern Ireland, the same bank that issued those bl... banknotes and was told if I send the notes to them through registered post, they would lodge that amount onto my debit card. I thought "great". Went to the correo. Was told no es possible, 'cos by law spanish post cannot send cash anywhere and there is no way I could send those same notes out of the country, short of carrying them on my person across the border. Now I am thinking: 1. send them anyway and risk (policia, possibly worse), 2. open a bank account here, pay the opening charge, have everything exchanged in euros just when the pound is gaining on value. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr... am really angry...
#3
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10
Re: Sending money through post?
Don't post money into or out of Spain period, it will be taken from you by the Spanish Authority. Money laundering is big business thanks to a lot of European drug dealers etc. legging it to Spain.
Last edited by Stigey; Feb 4th 2010 at 8:19 am. Reason: More Info.
#4
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 614
Re: Sending money through post?
Plus (of course) it probably falls foul of money laundering laws: who can tell if a package contains more than the legally permitted amount of un-notified cash you can take in/out of a country? €500 notes are surprisingly compact.
P.S. can't you find a branch of a british bank (Barclays?) anywhere that would be more receptive. Though as you say, if you're not a customer, it would be hard to see why they should go to the trouble of helping you.
Last edited by pete_l; Feb 4th 2010 at 8:15 am.
#5
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 882
Re: Sending money through post?
EB,
I did say every day was an adventure here
First I can't believe Caixa won't change any more notes, maybe try a different branch of Caixa.
I can see what folk are saying about cash in post but we have sent cash in post for years and it's been OK, I guess it all depends on how much cash we are talking about?
Basically you could send it but you would have to take your chances with being caught out (slim chance) or it going missing. If it was certified you could claim for it but you would have to claim it as something else to the equivalent value.
Don't suppose bureau de change, maybe at airport would do it?
I did say every day was an adventure here
First I can't believe Caixa won't change any more notes, maybe try a different branch of Caixa.
I can see what folk are saying about cash in post but we have sent cash in post for years and it's been OK, I guess it all depends on how much cash we are talking about?
Basically you could send it but you would have to take your chances with being caught out (slim chance) or it going missing. If it was certified you could claim for it but you would have to claim it as something else to the equivalent value.
Don't suppose bureau de change, maybe at airport would do it?
#6
Re: Sending money through post?
Hi. I am the same person who a few days ago panicked about not being able to exchange my northern irish pounds into euros here in granada.. Well, the story continues, 'cos the same bank that could exchange them yesterday, now suddenly cannot do so any longer. I spoke to my bank in Northern Ireland, the same bank that issued those bl... banknotes and was told if I send the notes to them through registered post, they would lodge that amount onto my debit card. I thought "great". Went to the correo. Was told no es possible, 'cos by law spanish post cannot send cash anywhere and there is no way I could send those same notes out of the country, short of carrying them on my person across the border. Now I am thinking: 1. send them anyway and risk (policia, possibly worse), 2. open a bank account here, pay the opening charge, have everything exchanged in euros just when the pound is gaining on value. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr... am really angry...
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10
Re: Sending money through post?
hello tm
Were you sending internally or in/out of the country. Its just I was stung a few years ago and I know that now the Irish post office advise you that they won't cover cash going into Spain.
D.
Were you sending internally or in/out of the country. Its just I was stung a few years ago and I know that now the Irish post office advise you that they won't cover cash going into Spain.
D.
#8
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: currently Granada, Spain
Posts: 16
Re: Sending money through post?
Hi folks. Yes, I've decided not to post it anywhere cos I really cannot risk - it is all I have. I couldn't do absolutely nothing if an employee (either at spanish correo or at the bank in Ireland) steals it. No no. Yes.. I'll open a bank account, la Caixa would change them but I would need to pay them 50 euros just to open the account and I think they want to take advantage of me so, no. Caja Mar (went there on johncar's advice) wouldn't change them even if i open an account. But Caja General de Ahorros would change them without being their client, but I think it all depends on the employee at the spot at that moment. Going to Gibraltar would cost cca 60-70 euros.
I'll be ok, thanks for your replies, it feels great to be able to complain a little bit. Spain is like a hybrid between Italy and Mexico... I think what is happening now is the Mexican side of the Spanish costumbres.... Hasta luego a todos... (sure there will be still lots to complain about hehe)
I'll be ok, thanks for your replies, it feels great to be able to complain a little bit. Spain is like a hybrid between Italy and Mexico... I think what is happening now is the Mexican side of the Spanish costumbres.... Hasta luego a todos... (sure there will be still lots to complain about hehe)
#9
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10
Re: Sending money through post?
Better safe than sorry eah................
#10
Re: Sending money through post?
Hi folks. Yes, I've decided not to post it anywhere cos I really cannot risk - it is all I have. I couldn't do absolutely nothing if an employee (either at spanish correo or at the bank in Ireland) steals it. No no. Yes.. I'll open a bank account, la Caixa would change them but I would need to pay them 50 euros just to open the account and I think they want to take advantage of me so, no. Caja Mar (went there on johncar's advice) wouldn't change them even if i open an account. But Caja General de Ahorros would change them without being their client, but I think it all depends on the employee at the spot at that moment. Going to Gibraltar would cost cca 60-70 euros.
I'll be ok, thanks for your replies, it feels great to be able to complain a little bit. Spain is like a hybrid between Italy and Mexico... I think what is happening now is the Mexican side of the Spanish costumbres.... Hasta luego a todos... (sure there will be still lots to complain about hehe)
I'll be ok, thanks for your replies, it feels great to be able to complain a little bit. Spain is like a hybrid between Italy and Mexico... I think what is happening now is the Mexican side of the Spanish costumbres.... Hasta luego a todos... (sure there will be still lots to complain about hehe)
#11
Re: Sending money through post?
I would suggest you try a bureau de change. There must be a few in Granada?
Don't you have a debit card from your irish bank, which you can use?
Don't you have a debit card from your irish bank, which you can use?
#12
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 335
Re: Sending money through post?
Barclay's Spain is not Barclay's UK.
I thought that Gibraltar would be the answer. I just called the Norwich and Peterborough Building Soc, they said they would not change Bank Of Ireland Notes.
I just called Caja Mar,they say if you have an account they will accept them. To open an account you will need a Cert of Non Residence, apparently that is 15€ from the police.
Last edited by johncar61; Feb 4th 2010 at 12:34 pm.
#13
Re: Sending money through post?
Barclay's Spain is not Barclay's UK.
I thought that Gibraltar would be the answer. I just called the Norwich and Peterborough Building Soc, they said they would not change Bank Of Ireland Notes.
I just called Caja Mar,they say if you have an account they will accept them. To open an account you will need a Cert of Non Residence, apparently that is 15€ from the police.
I thought that Gibraltar would be the answer. I just called the Norwich and Peterborough Building Soc, they said they would not change Bank Of Ireland Notes.
I just called Caja Mar,they say if you have an account they will accept them. To open an account you will need a Cert of Non Residence, apparently that is 15€ from the police.
#14
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: currently Granada, Spain
Posts: 16
Re: Sending money through post?
Johncar, that is a great tip you gave me (about caja mar), i'll do that tomorrow. Rotor, you are right too, I was just hoping to hold on to pounds and just change as much as I need for everyday expenses, but with so much hassle i really cannot afford to hesitate. I'll keep quiet from now on... you guys have already been very helpful, thank you very much.
#15
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Sending money through post?
Quite a statement, you could go far with sweeping statements like that