Where have you been exchanging your currency, and what rate are they giving ?
@getthenet , we have been exchanging at Burlington at Mapleview mall, Continental Currency Exchange, 900 Maple avenue. There is a bank in there. The last time the didn't charge us anything, not sure if that was because of the amount we exchanged. If you are still going up in the middle of the night, they won't be open. It looks like the banks in Temiscaming aren't open on Saturday for you.
my fishing buddy always just withdraws money at a Canadian ATM and gets the best actual rate. there are some fees associated with the exchange depending on your card issuer. Right now RBC is showing about 1.29 to 1 exchange rate.
We have been exchanging our money at the Banque Nationale in Temiscaming for the past few years. They charge a $3.00 fee no matter what amount you exchange. Going through some old paper work I found some old receipts from the bank ! In 2012 we only received $0.973 CAN per $1.00 US. 2014 was a bit better,receiving $1.0665 CAN per $1.00US . In 2015 , $1.00 US got us $1.2775 CAN. And last year,$1.00 US got us $1.275 CAN . Hopefully do a little better this year !
In previous years we just snuck into the Duty Free to exchange our cash...always had a good rate...but had to get less than $1000 US for some reason that had to do with them not wanting to fill out paperwork.
I find myself scratching my head on this though; most modern banking institutions will exchange your money...no charge...at the current buy/sell rate. Why would you go out of your way to NOT use your bank? That is unless you have your cash in jars buried around your backyard and don't use a bank. Maybe all banks don't offer that service.
Our bank wont do that, one year we tried that. $17.00 service fee just to order the Canadian money then 3% of the total money.
john c
The past 2 years I went to Envoy International located at 427 Garrison Road, Fort Erie, Ontario. They are only a few minutes from the Peace Bridge and are open 7 days a week, I forget their hours but they do have a toll free number 1-800-755-5614 that you can call and talk to a live body. The rate has come down in the past few months, but 2 weeks ago I got 28%, so $3,000 got me $3,840.
Yorkdale Mall in Toronto has a currency exchange I use when heading south.
We've exchanged our US $$ at the AAA. Seem to get a good rate, and no additional fees. I got a bit over $1.29 CND for $1 US in April.