Arillas Forum

Welcome to Arillas => Arillas general information => Currency, cash and exchange. => Topic started by: hampshire hawker on June 03, 2013, 11:36:54 AM

Title: ATM
Post by: hampshire hawker on June 03, 2013, 11:36:54 AM
We are looking forward to our first holiday in Arillas next month. Is the ATM reliable and is it refilled on a regular basis. We usually take a preloaded card which we use only to withdraw cash as and when we need it. Thanks for any help
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Val n Bill on June 03, 2013, 12:08:14 PM

Not heard any complaints about the ATM.

        Val x
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: HeatherE on June 03, 2013, 04:44:45 PM
the rate on the ATM was about 1.06etc, not as good as the others in Arillas imho
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: hampshire hawker on June 03, 2013, 05:46:55 PM
Many thanks for your replies.
If the current exchange at the ATM is only 1.06 when it is 1.13 here I shall look at Travellers Cheques. Does anyone know what the current rate is for them ?
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevin.g on June 03, 2013, 08:08:53 PM
hampshire ,hawker
the atm in arilas was fine the last time we used it,the exchange rate in resort is about e116,less commision ,,theres also another atm in san stef at the thomas bay hotel,i use thomas global exchange they seem to give a good rate ,,,yammas
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Val n Bill on June 03, 2013, 08:50:39 PM

You might also consider to hire a safe at your accommodation and bring Euros and then you could get the best rates in the UK. Lots of people do this.

          Val x
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: hampshire hawker on June 03, 2013, 09:50:11 PM
Hi Kevin.G
Bearing in mind that Heather E says the rate is 1.06, when did you get 1.16 - was it this year. I usually load a prepaid card from Sainsburys with Euros so presumably there won't be any commission and there is no charge for drawing cash from an ATM on that card.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: hampshire hawker on June 05, 2013, 06:18:17 PM
Thanks everyone for your help. I would particularly like to hear from anyone over the coming weeks who is either in Arillas or just come back and has used the ATM throughout their holiday. We are a little worried by the fact there is only 1 ATM and don't want to have to go to Sans Stefanos to get cash in the event of a malfunction or because it has run out of cash 
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: justphil on June 05, 2013, 07:29:52 PM
hampshire hawker, we take Sterling Travellers cheques. We get them from our bank for free, and pay the commission to Arillas Travel when we change them.

Relying on any ATM not to fail (and spoil a day's holiday) is not what we do by choice. A power cut could achieve the same result and leave you stressing about cash. In truth, we could put most of our needs on credit with our friends, but we hate doing that more than anything else.

Phil



Title: Re: ATM
Post by: angiem on June 05, 2013, 08:33:45 PM
We always take a mix of cash (euros and sterling), travellers cheques and a card just for emergencies. There are lots of places where you can get cheques and sterling changed ( - including most of the hotels and appartments), and as Phil says, if the ATM is out of action for any reason, you will usually be offered 'credit' (- "pay me tomorrow" or even "pay me next year"!!).
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Karen/Colin on June 06, 2013, 04:38:52 PM
Does anyone ever use those preloaded cash cards in the tavernas or hotels for paying for meals? Would the marina or Horizon give cash back on them?

karen
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Eggy on June 06, 2013, 05:59:12 PM
Just to say that the 'ole ATM was beeping away merrily this afternoon.


Karen/Colin - They never give me cash back  - When I try it , I get a screen display saying "DON'T BE SILLY!- YER 'AVING A LAUGH GUV"
- Maybe it's just me.

Exchange in all your favourite places was e1.16 today.

Negg
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: hampshire hawker on June 06, 2013, 09:32:22 PM
I think to be on the safe side, we will take travellers cheques. Should we buy Sterling or Euro cheques and what commission is charged on them.
Thanks for all your help
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Val n Bill on June 07, 2013, 11:35:06 AM

We buy Euros commission free from Ice Bank on line.....delivered next day before 1pm by courier. They are usually the best rates.
Put them in a safe with all other personal things (passports, tickets, jewellery) and know that everything is safe.

     Val x
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Ron and Sue on June 07, 2013, 02:31:17 PM
Am in Arillas now.Rate is 1.15 which equals 1.125 after commision.If you can better than that in UK suggest you buy euros there and use safety box over here.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Truth on June 07, 2013, 03:55:44 PM
NOT a good rate at all :-(
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: willis on June 09, 2013, 03:39:20 PM
I use a pre-loaded euro card at the Horizon, just like cash. If you are a regular there I'm sure they would do cash back. I would send them a message on the website to check.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: chorltonfiona on June 17, 2013, 04:15:54 PM
I have a Halifax Clarity credit card, I have used it abroad in other places and they give a good rate of exchange with NO commission.  The catch is that it starts to accrue interest from the day you take the money out but it usually seems to work out better than most.  I usually take travellers cheques as well!
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: daisyday on June 17, 2013, 04:37:14 PM
We usually take a mix of Euros and sterling with us and put it in the safe but last year were caught out when staying at the Akti - they have free safes advertised but in all the 2 weeks we were there none were available - they were all in use - so we were left with hiding stuff in the room and locking stuff in our cases - not ideal.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Jo Wissett on June 17, 2013, 06:03:14 PM
Daisy, its worth noting that Arillas Cars, accross from the Akti also have safes in their office that you can rent.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Ron and Sue on June 17, 2013, 06:23:02 PM
When unable to get a vacant safety box at the Akti we have used the boxes at Arillas Car Hire as Jo suggests.They charge 1 euro a day.Better than hiding money in the room.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: daisyday on June 17, 2013, 07:16:20 PM
Thanks Ron and Sue and Jo - I didn't realise we could rent out safety boxes anywhere else.  This year we are booked at Bardis Sun Studios so hopefully we'll get a safe there but if not.... I know where to go now!  Many thanks!
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Steve & Lou on June 18, 2013, 06:39:32 PM
Works fine. Just got back and had no probs at all :-))
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: NickBoardman on June 18, 2013, 09:26:31 PM
Thanks Ron and Sue and Jo - I didn't realise we could rent out safety boxes anywhere else.  This year we are booked at Bardis Sun Studios so hopefully we'll get a safe there but if not.... I know where to go now!  Many thanks!

Hi We stay at Bardis Studios and they have deposit boxes in a room next to the bar, it is very secure. We didn't use them last visit but previously I think it was about 5 Euro.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: daisyday on June 18, 2013, 09:30:45 PM
thanks very much Nick.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: cath1066 on July 04, 2013, 12:28:25 AM
The exchange rate from the ATM will be whatever the exchange rate is used by your bank on the day of withdrawal, which is generally better than the rates you get elsewhere.  I always used to use the old ATM until it was taken away so for the last few years I have changed up my money into Euros here in the UK and kept them all safe in the safety deposit boxes at Arillas cars.  Now that there is an ATM again I will draw my money at the ATM but bring over some Euros for emergency in case the ATM is out of order.  I also have a Halifax Clarity card so in case of emergency can pay for meals etc with that.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on July 28, 2013, 04:51:59 PM
I had an idea yesterday. Using a halifax credit card that has no charges except instant interest on cash withdrawell. Top it up with a comfortable credit and then draw cash. No interest as your account is in credit. Just hope the atm is ok in arillas. Presume the exchange rate charged is dictated by the bank which is currently 1.165
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: justphil on July 28, 2013, 05:07:32 PM
I used the ATM today. Perfect working order. But like the Greeks, too many questions!! It took me quite a while to answer them all. By the end I thought I'd better propose marriage to the machine.....

she wouldn't love me any more if she read my bank statement!

Phil
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: HH on July 28, 2013, 05:47:53 PM
Hello to kevanelka.
Absolutely nothing to do with ATM!  Saw your message and wondered if you're be back at Anna's this year?
If you are there the same time as us it will give me the chance to tease you about your early morning hikes ....
We're back with Anna in late August/early Sept.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on July 28, 2013, 06:18:10 PM
Yes, arrive 30 aug (evening) for 14 days.  Whose HH. Sorry me and elke are struggling.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on July 28, 2013, 08:39:15 PM
How much can you take out each day at the ATM?
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: HH on July 29, 2013, 10:41:16 AM
A message for kevandelke
No mystery about HH ... Hilary. (We had the scooter at Anna's last year and our daughter, Amy, was with us for part of our stay). We arrive 26th August and look forward to having a drink with you.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on July 29, 2013, 09:37:12 PM
Elke was right.   Yes we remember you all, see you soon.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: KarenL on July 30, 2013, 07:31:31 PM
Usually the amount you can take out is determined by the daily limit that your bank sets on your card.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on July 30, 2013, 10:15:53 PM
Thanks,  I'll check with them.

Roll on 30 Aug
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Jo Wissett on August 08, 2013, 10:26:44 PM
We could take out 300 Euro a day (Santander).
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: biglee on August 11, 2013, 03:18:24 PM
so just to clarify - can you use barclay debit card at the ATM
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevin.g on August 11, 2013, 03:19:09 PM
biglee
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: biglee on August 11, 2013, 03:26:29 PM
biglee
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

cheers kevin - what about necter points !!
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: justphil on August 11, 2013, 06:20:34 PM
Now you're pushing it Lee. Nectar is availabe on top of Roula's galactoboureko in Brouklis.....

Phil
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Eileen on August 11, 2013, 06:34:52 PM

Nice one Phil :-) x

.....Nectar is availabe on top of Roula's galactoboureko in Brouklis.....

Phil

Title: Re: ATM
Post by: biglee on August 11, 2013, 07:14:34 PM
Now you're pushing it Lee. Nectar is availabe on top of Roula's galactoboureko in Brouklis.....

Phil


i presume that this is in respect to the nectar of the liquid sort ? of which it would be rude of me not sample ( it wouldnt be dimtris grandfathers wine by any chance would it ?)

Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Val n Bill on August 11, 2013, 08:31:29 PM

No Lee it's a delightful pudding. mmmmm pudding (I could eat some now).

               Val x
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on August 31, 2013, 09:26:54 AM
Damn,  tried to get cash out of ATM in arillas this morning and although everything appeared to be finr, at the last stage no money was dispensed, no receipt given, and no notice that the transaction had been cancelled.  That was worrying.
So went across to san stefanos which I must say is a much more informative machine, but transaction was declined.  so, no access to cash and I have a horrible feeling that the transaction in arillas has been registered.

Anybody got any spare cach, this could be a very cheap but hungry holiday.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: daisyday on August 31, 2013, 09:42:06 AM
one of the reasons I take cash! take plenty of Euros and some sterling in case I need any extra!
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Eggy on August 31, 2013, 09:59:24 AM
Ag. Stef. ATM is well known for running out of euros, very quickly. Have you bought your cheque book and bank card with you as, I think, local agents will turn one of those into euros for you.

Failing that and depending where you are staying, see if the apt/Hotel owner will run you to Sidari or the ATM in Avliotes and try your card there.

I don't know, perhaps others will, but can you get an account balance on the ATM's here??  If so, and you find a working ATM, and you can get a balance, that might tell you if any cash was "lost" on the Arillas ATM.

Very difficult - Good luck
Negg
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Jo Wissett on August 31, 2013, 11:16:08 AM
What a nightmare! Bad enough when that happens over here, never mind over there. If you ring your bank they will be able to tell you if the cash left your account immediately. It may be a case of your card being blocked because you are abroad? We took a credit card as a back-up in case this happened.
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: Martin_G on August 31, 2013, 01:08:38 PM
I was advised by the bank (Lloyds) to let them know when and where I would be when abroad, just so they can ensure the transactions are not blocked for security. I duly told them but never used the ATM.

I always take plenty of Euro's, cheque book and bank card.

Martin
Title: Re: ATM
Post by: kevandelke on August 31, 2013, 04:15:14 PM
Not to worried now, it looks like the ATM was out of cash, but advised to wait until tomorros to try again as the ATM might swallow my card. Backup but more expensive option at the raedy ie debit card. Interestingly, paid 100 euros to my host and it came out straight away at a rate af 1.168. Not bad if it works