Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CanEducator]

Does anyone have feedback as to whether it's better to change Canadian money into Korean money in Canada or right in Korea? I'm coming over next week and I'm just wondering. Thanks for all feedback.
(I did a search for this and pulled up a massive list of diverse topics.)

[just because]

It'll be about the same. Just don't do it at the airport

[CanEducator]

Thanks, Just Because. I'll check a money exchange place here before I go.

[osangrl]

no no no do it over here....not at home, i got screwed.

[prairieboy]

If you change it in Canada, at the bank or at the airport, you'll likely pay a heafty service charge. At the airport you'll also get a crappier rate. Do it in Korea, there are no service charges, just the somewhat bad rate at the currency exchange in the airport.

[batman]

Do it here.
I changed Korean money into Canadian in Ottawa once.
Ooh the rate hurt.
Haven't felt pain like that since prison.

[CanEducator]

Thanks, Osangirl, Prairieboy and Batman. I appreciate the feedback, wouldn't have known otherwise to wait and exchange currency over there. That's actually one less chore to worry about here on this side before coming over, too. Sounds like an exchange bank over there is the way to go.
Thanks, all.

[Bubbliee]

When I was back home for Christmas I changed 2.4 million won at the Royal Bank. A friend of mine works there so she did it for me to get her staff rate. Anyways that was the worst thing I could have ever possibly done. I took it and I took it dry. The exchange rate was way worse than the rate the Inchon airport. I am going back to Canada again in about 2 weeks. I am just trying to figure out the best way to change my won into CDN dollars now.

[CanEducator]

So the concensus from everyone is to change money in Korea. That's actually really interesting that there is such a difference.

Anyway I'm glad I asked because I was just going to change it here at home before coming over. Thanks to all who responded.

[prairieboy]

I think the reason that it's better to exchange money here in Korea is that the Korean banks have only begun to get into this "service charge" crap whereas the Canadian banks have been at it for at least the last decade or longer and have mastered the fine are of screwing their clients with hidden and outrageous charges.

Sorry, just my rant.

But seriously, to change money in Canada, you'd have to pay a service charge and get a bad rate. Here, you just get a somewhat bad rate and no service charge. I can't wait until the Korean Banks figure out they can make a killing by service charging everything they do.

Cheers

[just because]

[prairieboy]

I guess it's time to get ready to take it from the Korean banks soon in that case