Probably a dumb question...

[cjbee]

Well, I'm a Canadian (living in Vancouver, BC)...I want to purchase an item in Seattle but only have Canadian cash on me. I looked around and no local banks are open on Sundays. However, I found a US Bank branch in Seattle that is open tomorrow, so would it be possible to take my Canadian cash to them and get US funds in exchange?

I was going to call ahead of time anyways and ask them directly, but it's the night before and I'm anxious. I'm buying a TV, FWIW.

Thanks in advance.

 

[IronWing]

It depends. My experience is that most banks will exchange Canadian/US funds, with a fee tacked on, but that they don't necessarily do so at all branches.

 

[Bignate603]

Can you just go and take out cash at a US ATM? I'm sure there will be fees involved but it's a pretty sure thing that you'll get the cash you need.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: cjbee
Well, I'm a Canadian (living in Vancouver, BC)...I want to purchase an item in Seattle but only have Canadian cash on me. I looked around and no local banks are open on Sundays. However, I found a US Bank branch in Seattle that is open tomorrow, so would it be possible to take my Canadian cash to them and get US funds in exchange?

I was going to call ahead of time anyways and ask them directly, but it's the night before and I'm anxious. I'm buying a TV, FWIW.

Thanks in advance.

Given that that branch is so close to the border I'm sure that they will have Canadian currency on hand, that being said because you don't bank there, they will tack on an additional service fee on top of the weak exchange rate they will be giving you.

I would just go to a gold/bullion exchange in Vancouver and do it, the rates aren't bad, I've heard good things about the one on Robson St. but I'm still kind of skeptical.

As well, you can withdraw cash from a US ATM, but you will be charged a service fee by your bank for withdrawing from a non-afilliated machine, a service fee by the bank you use down in the states, and get reamed both ways for the exchange rate.

The best solution, go to an ATM and use your VISA.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Credit card FTW.

Oh, is there no currency exchange available where you cross the border?

 

[Paperdoc]

I'm sure a US bank will sell you US$ for C$. However, their exchange commission may be a bit high. (Hint: I have found my Canadian bank charges me a lower commission rate on these currency exchanges than any American bank.) In my experience, you can just charge it on your Canadian VISA card and they will convert the US$ amount to C$ on your VISA statement, at an exchange rate as good as you'll get in most banks. That is, if you have a VISA or some such card and it has enough charging space open on it.