Dollar vs Eruo

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Dollar vs Eruo #68587 09/20/2015 11:45 AM 09/20/2015 11:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 27 D dress OP Traveler
dress OP Traveler D Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 27	Do you find St. Martin businesses honor the current conversion on the island? It always seems at hotels, etc. it is 1.3. Does anyone convert dollars to euros before traveling to St. Martin and if you do where to you convert them. Our bank does not have that service.

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Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68588 09/20/2015 11:58 AM 09/20/2015 11:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts boucharda Traveler
boucharda Traveler Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts	French side ATM would work fine... Just came back from Paris and did three trips to the ATM...checked the rate used and it was dead on with the official dollar/euro published rate..no fee Last edited by boucharda; 09/20/2015 12:00 PM.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68589 09/20/2015 12:21 PM 09/20/2015 12:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,106 Southport, North Carolina, US candj Traveler
candj Traveler Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,106 Southport, North Carolina, US	Many places accept $1 equal 1 Euro so we have never converted to Euros. Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68590 09/20/2015 01:20 PM 09/20/2015 01:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,059 Maine, USA Chuck_Morton Traveler
Chuck_Morton Traveler Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,059 Maine, USA	Quote dress said: Do you find St. Martin businesses honor the current conversion on the island? It always seems at hotels, etc. it is 1.3. Does anyone convert dollars to euros before traveling to St. Martin and if you do where to you convert them. Our bank does not have that service. Well, actually the current exchange rate is 1.13 USD to the Euro.... It has always seemed that hotels and most groceries held pretty close to the published exchange rate.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68591 09/20/2015 01:54 PM 09/20/2015 01:54 PM
Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,415 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin... GaKaye Traveler
GaKaye Traveler Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,415 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...	If you pay your hotel with a credit card, as most would do, then have the charge put through in Euros. Your bank will charge you the conversion rate in effect on the day the charge hits your account. We do the same with all restaurant purchases on the French side. With the dollar and the Euro so close today, it's really not worthwhile to worry about carrying a bunch of cash to take advantage of the few who offer 1:1.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: GaKaye] #68592 09/20/2015 04:44 PM 09/20/2015 04:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,300 CT pony600 Traveler
pony600 Traveler Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,300 CT	Someone posted that the businesses Pinel were using 1:1.5. Not a good deal. If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: pony600] #68593 09/20/2015 04:58 PM 09/20/2015 04:58 PM
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,267 Boynton Beach, FL EdB Traveler
EdB Traveler Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,267 Boynton Beach, FL	In over 25 years of going to SXM, I have NEVER had one euro on me. Now, since the exchange rate is so close...it's not worth the hassle.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: pony600] #68594 09/20/2015 05:48 PM 09/20/2015 05:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,059 Maine, USA Chuck_Morton Traveler
Chuck_Morton Traveler Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,059 Maine, USA	Quote pony600 said: Someone posted that the businesses Pinel were using 1:1.5. Not a good deal. So you're losing less than $0.02 per Euro and that isn't a good deal? Well, maybe just me buut 2 cents a Euro isn't a deal breaker....

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68595 09/20/2015 05:52 PM 09/20/2015 05:52 PM
Joined: May 2012 Posts: 679 Burlington, Ontario, Canada J JohnandBev Traveler
JohnandBev Traveler J Joined: May 2012 Posts: 679 Burlington, Ontario, Canada	A Canadian perspective. We have taken US dollars and tend not to use a cc except for a car rental for liabilty and even then have settled up with cash and a receipt� What Euro`s we have taken - 100E? is for for small purchases where Euro`s are more convenient. This coming winter we are staying the entire trip � 2 1/2 wks� in Orient. As long the exchange is 1:1, great, not an issue, but for resto�s or stores that offer an exchange beyond the current rate, better for us to take Euro�, assuming we purchased with Canadian $�s. Lookout for my question Nov / Dec about resto�s in Orient Village and their exchange policies! J&B

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: GaKaye] #68596 09/20/2015 06:05 PM 09/20/2015 06:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 1,229 Middle Tennessee T TravelHat Traveler
TravelHat Traveler T Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 1,229 Middle Tennessee	Quote GaKaye said: If you pay your hotel with a credit card, as most would do, then have the charge put through in Euros. Your bank will charge you the conversion rate in effect on the day the charge hits your account. We do the same with all restaurant purchases on the French side. With the dollar and the Euro so close today, it's really not worthwhile to worry about carrying a bunch of cash to take advantage of the few who offer 1:1. This is what I have found to be the best way. We stay in GC or the village and just use cash when it is a small purchase.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: Chuck_Morton] #68597 09/20/2015 06:43 PM 09/20/2015 06:43 PM
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 694 Lake Texoma, Texas C cruzer Traveler
cruzer Traveler C Joined: May 2008 Posts: 694 Lake Texoma, Texas	Quote Chuck_Morton said: Quote pony600 said: Someone posted that the businesses Pinel were using 1:1.5. Not a good deal. So you're losing less than $0.02 per Euro and that isn't a good deal? Well, maybe just me buut 2 cents a Euro isn't a deal breaker.... More like a $0.35 difference per Euro. A deal breaker in my book.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: Chuck_Morton] #68598 09/20/2015 07:20 PM 09/20/2015 07:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 18,728 Auburn, WA SXMScubaman Traveler
SXMScubaman Traveler Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 18,728 Auburn, WA	Quote Chuck_Morton said: Quote pony600 said: Someone posted that the businesses Pinel were using 1:1.5. Not a good deal. So you're losing less than $0.02 per Euro and that isn't a good deal? Well, maybe just me buut 2 cents a Euro isn't a deal breaker.... Better recalculate your math.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: pony600] #68599 09/20/2015 07:29 PM 09/20/2015 07:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,631 Oyster Pond St. Martin S soualigacapt Traveler
soualigacapt Traveler S Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,631 Oyster Pond St. Martin	Quote pony600 said: Someone posted that the businesses Pinel were using 1:1.5. Not a good deal. How long ago was that? Back when the Euro was $1.5 US$ I bet you meant $1.15 which is a little over but close to what it is today at 1.3. It changes daily and most places adjust every day including Pinel and that also depends on what restaurants you use.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: soualigacapt] #68600 09/20/2015 07:59 PM 09/20/2015 07:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,059 Maine, USA Chuck_Morton Traveler
Chuck_Morton Traveler Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 1,059 Maine, USA	Oops...Guess I read the exchange incorrectly! BUT...We go to Pinel pretty much every visit and I don't think I've ever seen the 1 to 1.5 exchange rate referenced... I, too, would be interested as to when that "someone" posted that. It seems pretty unlikely that they could use that exchange rate given the current market rate of exchange.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68601 09/20/2015 08:18 PM 09/20/2015 08:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 323 Leland, NC drewmon Traveler
drewmon Traveler Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 323 Leland, NC	If you're going to convert dollars to euros, better to do so at a bank in St. Martin. We exchanged dollars for euros at the first bank on the French side, on the right just over the new causeway - no fees and no exchange rate bump up like what banks here at home do - you'll get the official conversion rate. We were just getting some euros for an upcoming trip abroad, we don't use or need them on the island.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: drewmon] #68602 09/20/2015 08:38 PM 09/20/2015 08:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,631 Oyster Pond St. Martin S soualigacapt Traveler
soualigacapt Traveler S Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,631 Oyster Pond St. Martin	I don't think banks on the French side convert money. You have to go to a CHANGE store or one of the other stores that change money. Maybe you were in a bank on the Dutch side by Grand Marche Cole Bay.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: soualigacapt] #68603 09/20/2015 08:51 PM 09/20/2015 08:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 721 Colorado sxmbeachlover Traveler
sxmbeachlover Traveler Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 721 Colorado	Your can get Euros from any ATM on the French side. The banks charge a much higher fee than the ATMs. Famous Quote from SBHonline: The best moderation is the least moderation.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: sxmbeachlover] #68604 09/20/2015 09:08 PM 09/20/2015 09:08 PM
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 694 Lake Texoma, Texas C cruzer Traveler
cruzer Traveler C Joined: May 2008 Posts: 694 Lake Texoma, Texas	To continue with the OP's question, which I was hoping would have been answered by now, I have seen statements here on TTOL that some places continue to offer exchange rates at $1.2-1.3/Euro, despite the relative strength of the USD. That was even happening when the exchange rate was below 1.1:1.0. So the question is, are there very many places that charge a premium for using Dollars, or are these examples fairly rare. Pony600 seems to have heard that one place offered 1.5:1! I know I have seen some mentions of poor exchange rates on this board over the past few months, and just wondering how prevalent it is. It might make it worth our while to get some Euros for those places that don't accept credit cards.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: drewmon] #68605 09/20/2015 09:26 PM 09/20/2015 09:26 PM
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,000 North Kingstown, Rhode Island RI Bob C Traveler
RI Bob C Traveler Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,000 North Kingstown, Rhode Island	If you go right after the causeway aren't you still on the Dutch side?

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: cruzer] #68606 09/20/2015 10:21 PM 09/20/2015 10:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,631 Oyster Pond St. Martin S soualigacapt Traveler
soualigacapt Traveler S Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 3,631 Oyster Pond St. Martin	Quote cruzer said: To continue with the OP's question, which I was hoping would have been answered by now, I have seen statements here on TTOL that some places continue to offer exchange rates at $1.2-1.3/Euro, despite the relative strength of the USD. That was even happening when the exchange rate was below 1.1:1.0. So the question is, are there very many places that charge a premium for using Dollars, or are these examples fairly rare. Pony600 seems to have heard that one place offered 1.5:1! I know I have seen some mentions of poor exchange rates on this board over the past few months, and just wondering how prevalent it is. It might make it worth our while to get some Euros for those places that don't accept credit cards. The answer is that any place can charge what they want for the exchange. Most places charge the rate of the day or less but not all and what happens today may not be what happens tomorrow. Just ask in the establishment you are buying in then make up your mind whether it's to your advantage to pay in Euros or in US dollars, credit card or cash.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: soualigacapt] #68607 09/20/2015 10:49 PM 09/20/2015 10:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,772 So. Shore MA. jollymonsrv Traveler
jollymonsrv Traveler Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,772 So. Shore MA.	Last April euro was +/- 1:05. Showed up to pinell island ferry was told rate was 10 euro pp or $15. Is pp I quickly reminded Boat operator of current exchange... My boat that's it. Arrogance lost six passengers as well as Pinel islands vendors. This was not my first rodeo. (1977). So be savvy and enjoy as you wish. Just don't be taken for a ride IMHO. Back in October and April again with party of 10 ea. time. Love the Island. Ain't dealing with BS. Pax Friends:))))

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: soualigacapt] #68608 09/21/2015 07:04 AM 09/21/2015 07:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts boucharda Traveler
boucharda Traveler Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts	Sorry for my incomplete answer...I do use ATM's everywhere I travel to get Euro when needed BUT, as a poster mentioned, I also have never used Euro on SXM...never found the need. I have taken Euro out of a French side ATM but only to use as a cash deposit for a house rental in Italy that required it and it was more than I could get in a single transaction on arrival in Italy. So, they are easily available if you find a need for them when you get there...no need to put it on your worry list <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: dress] #68609 09/21/2015 11:54 AM 09/21/2015 11:54 AM
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,194 Virginia Snorkeller Traveler
Snorkeller Traveler Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,194 Virginia	I usually pay cash for things in SXM except rental car or significant jewelry - simply because I prefer not to use cc on island that much. I often bring some euros to SXM when I know that I will be paying operators/vendors who do not adjust their exchange rate to market and use a rate which is higher than market - such as 1 euro to 1.3 dollars. Some will also give you a better price if you pay in cash - any kind of cash - if you want to ask or bargain about it.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo DELETED [Re: soualigacapt] #68610 09/21/2015 02:20 PM 09/21/2015 02:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,300 CT pony600 Traveler
pony600 Traveler Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,300 CT	Post deleted by pony600 If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: pony600] #68611 09/21/2015 02:27 PM 09/21/2015 02:27 PM
Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts boucharda Traveler
boucharda Traveler Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts	So if you are making frequent trips to Pinel and are concerned about the 1.5 rate then get euro from an ATM and use them for that trip. Otherwise there probably won't be needed...but available if you so choose. Last edited by boucharda; 09/21/2015 02:28 PM.

Re: Dollar vs Eruo [Re: JohnandBev] #68612 09/22/2015 08:04 PM 09/22/2015 08:04 PM
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 206 Burlington Ontario theonz Traveler
theonz Traveler Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 206 Burlington Ontario	Not so long ago the wife said.......let's buy US$ now that they are at par.......what a visionary this women I married is! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

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