Currency Exchange International

Went in to exchange money into 3 different currencies for a trip to Europe.
It was fast and went smooth.

Pretty decent place to exchange USD into foreign currency, not sure about doing the opposite. I’ve been here twice and felt that I am getting an okay deal. Nothing is better than going to your personal bank though. I’ve read that Unilocalers in the past have been shorted money after an exchange. I can’t elaborate on that because my deals haven’t gone bad like that. I be never walked away thinking I’ve gotten the best deal but it is convenient and they carry all of the popular world currencies on hand. If they don’t, they will order them for you.

Be sure to visit their website and print out the 50% off coupon for the exchange fee. Also take their advice and call around to get the total cost (including various fees) of the transaction you want to make, especially if the sum is large. Specify if you are paying with cash, credit card, etc.
I happened to be walking by and made an impulse «buy» of € 100 to gift to some relatives who are traveling abroad next week. I paid with cash and asked why the cost was $ 121 when the exchange rate on the wall was 1.18. The answer was a $ 3 exchange fee.
That’s fine. I know this is a business and they need to make a profit. I’m willing to pay for the service I need. But why not post clearly that exchange fees apply?
Pros: quick and easy.

Beware of Simon. He stole $ 100 from the cash that I gave him to pay for foreign currency. I picked up the cash from my bank which is located on the same block as the Currency Exchange International. I counted the money at my bank and also at Currency Exchange. Simon had my cash in his possession for a while and returned to say that it was $ 100 short. I returned to my bank to check their audit of the cash transfer and I also check their end of the day audit and both confirmed that they money that I took to Simon was $ 100 more than he said that he received. The only explanation is that he stole $ 100. Beware!

Walked right up, no issues… easy as can be to get Vietnamese dong. My friend required 5 trips in the city to accomplish what took me 10 minutes on a Saturday morning.

Rates are not very competitive. Received .72 for Euros when Citibank listed ‚.77. I received .88 for Swiss Francs when Citi Listed .93 and 1.63 for Turkish Lira when Citi lists as 1.79. All in all, not great rates but low service price. Lost out on about $ 80 in the process.

Eh they took $ 40 off a $ 600 cad to usd, which is kind of a ripoff. Used it twice, service is rather brusque

Rates for less common currencies aren’t as strong, but they honored the higher rate of my bank (BofA), which was much appreciated. I haven’t ever had a long line here, and the service is always friendly. Intend on continuing to return here before international travel.

Convenient office and there’s never been anyone else there so I haven’t had to wait. The first time I went, everything seemed fine. I went a couple of weeks later to get some other currency. While the foreign currency was being counted out for me, at one point I had the sense that something wasn’t quite right (I wasn’t getting the correct amount) but I was in a hurry and getting two different currencies that I wasn’t familiar with so I figured everything was probably okay.
I went last week to exchange the foreign currency back into dollars. I think the guy who was there was the same one who was there for my second trip. In any case, as he counted out the dollars for me, that same feeling came over me that the amount wasn’t correct. When he handed me the money, I walked about 5 feet away and recounted it. Sure enough, I had received $ 45 less than I should have. He had counted out the dollars quickly and it had seemed to me that he put a five dollar bill down as he was saying $ 50. I went back to the counter. Of course he said I should have reported the problem before I left. He counted up all the money in his drawer and compared it to the amount he should have in there, realized that I was correct and gave me the extra $ 45. Did he apologize? Not in the slightest. Do I believe this was intentional? Yes, I’m leaning that way. First of all, I think he’s the same person who helped me before when I think I received an incorrect amount. Secondly, as he was counting out the money, he was looking at it and surely would have noticed if he put down a five dollar bill at the same time he was saying $ 50. After all, I noticed it and this isn’t what I do all day.
It’s too bad if this was intentional. We’re often warned that this kind of thing happens when exchanging money in foreign countries. I guess I let my guard down when exchanging money in Berkeley, California.

Recently exchanged money US to Canadian. Be certain to obtain your receipt and recount the money you receive. The money count was correct as he laid it out but
not picking up my receipt and trying to figure what I felt I should have gotten I came out $ 30 Short. Stupid me. I am just saying pay attention.

Get the coupon… go inside Mechanic’s Bank… give them your money… get some back. What else is there to say?

These guys used to have the best rates. They don’t anymore. These days I find better rates at Chase bank.

Service was efficient and very matter of fact, perfect for a busy, last minute traveler like me. Oh yeah, and I used the coupon from the san francisco Unilocal listing!!!

I went here to exchange some dollars for Euros. The fee is normally $ 10, but I managed to use a coupon and got it down to $ 5. The Unilocal listing for the SF location points to this coupon.
They are located *inside* the Mechanics Bank, in a small room in the back. The guy there was more like a talking ATM than a human. I don’t think he ever made eye contact, but took care of me in an efficient if not uncordial fashion.
The conversion rate I got was $ 1.51/euro, when the market rate was $ 1.42/euro that day, so they make 9 cents per euro. That works out to a little over 6 percent. It’s almost like going to a Coinstar machine. This is really why their flat fees are low.

No reason to beat around the bush or wax philosophical about money. This place has the best rates in the Bay Area, and they have good, no nonsense service from knowledgeable staff. It’s a couple blocks from Berkeley BART which makes it super convenient. Their fees are very reasonable and they can order less common currencies if you need them. Just what I need in a currency exchange.

this place has really good customer service. the people that work here know exactly what they are doing. they will not rip you off. best price you can get for changing your currency.