Craig gets paid in dollars so we have a US bank (at the RAF base which is now one and a half hours away) where we have a US dollar account and a sterling (UK pound) account. The bank transfers money between the two at our request but only in person or over the phone for no fee. The rate is higher than the actual daily exchange rate, yet not as high as a normal bank charges and we get a preferred rate (one cent less = woohoo) if we transfer over $1000 and keep it in there overnight. So yesterday, I called to transfer an amount of USD into GBP and asked for the amount of GBP that would be credited into our sterling account. The teller on the phone says to hold on and she will calculate it. After five minutes on hold, (yes I timed it) she tells me, "Oh, it's about blah blah pounds." About? ABOUT?? Why was I on hold for five minutes for you to give me an ESTIMATE of what the credit will be? You work for a BANK where exact figures might be important every once in a while. Now, it's not the biggest deal, because we are not scrimping for every penny, but I checked online today and the amount she quoted me is so off, it's laughable and that's the reason for the post. I guess she was doing the math on paper. Whatever.
Also, here the credit cards use the 'chip and pin' system, much like a debit card in the US but we don't have the chip in the US. Our US credit cards do not have a chip, nor do we enter a pin, but must sign. Every time I go to the shops, I tell the cashier that my card is a 'swipe card'. They look at me, examine the card, some attempt to put it into the chip and pin machine, others just look puzzled until I indicate that they need to swipe the card (hence the term 'swipe card') in the actual swipe area which I indicate. Some aren't as clueless, but many are. Then they attempt to find a pen which I have learned to carry with me at all times. I have stood in the queue for a period of time waiting for the appearance of a pen and I plan to never do it again.
On top of that, our credit card charges us a 1% fee on every international transaction which I have just come to accept since it's cheaper than other credit cards and it's way cheaper than going to a cash machine.
It is very difficult to establish credit in the UK. By the time we had a credit history here (bills, rent, UK bank account, etc.), we'd be on our way out. Our US credit reports do not transfer to the UK which is a ridiculous shame. If they did, we'd have a snazzy chip and pin credit card in the snap of a finger. So I pay my fees and move along...
One thing that does make up for the fees is the ridiculously low price we pay for gasoline. We get a Texaco gas card here and there is an international agreement or something which states we don't have to pay tax on petrol. For example, the Pilot needed about 3/4 tank of gas. I filled it, charged about 75 GBP which equates to approximately $115. When I got the bill which fiddles the numbers, the total spent to practically fill my tank was $45! So a few credit card fees here and there can be forgiven, I suppose.
Also, here the credit cards use the 'chip and pin' system, much like a debit card in the US but we don't have the chip in the US. Our US credit cards do not have a chip, nor do we enter a pin, but must sign. Every time I go to the shops, I tell the cashier that my card is a 'swipe card'. They look at me, examine the card, some attempt to put it into the chip and pin machine, others just look puzzled until I indicate that they need to swipe the card (hence the term 'swipe card') in the actual swipe area which I indicate. Some aren't as clueless, but many are. Then they attempt to find a pen which I have learned to carry with me at all times. I have stood in the queue for a period of time waiting for the appearance of a pen and I plan to never do it again.
On top of that, our credit card charges us a 1% fee on every international transaction which I have just come to accept since it's cheaper than other credit cards and it's way cheaper than going to a cash machine.
It is very difficult to establish credit in the UK. By the time we had a credit history here (bills, rent, UK bank account, etc.), we'd be on our way out. Our US credit reports do not transfer to the UK which is a ridiculous shame. If they did, we'd have a snazzy chip and pin credit card in the snap of a finger. So I pay my fees and move along...
One thing that does make up for the fees is the ridiculously low price we pay for gasoline. We get a Texaco gas card here and there is an international agreement or something which states we don't have to pay tax on petrol. For example, the Pilot needed about 3/4 tank of gas. I filled it, charged about 75 GBP which equates to approximately $115. When I got the bill which fiddles the numbers, the total spent to practically fill my tank was $45! So a few credit card fees here and there can be forgiven, I suppose.
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