Best way to get physical USD

[satans worm]

And by best I mean best rate/commission :-)

I popped into my local Nat west whom I bank with to purchase USD9k only to be told they can’t do FX any longer as the company they dealt with went bankrupt!
No alternatives, no short term affiliations to help the customer or even a recommendation where to go, just, sorry.

Anyhow, I need to get 9k in USD cash , is there any recommendations for online orders?

I am in the Norwich area if that helps

[steveo3002]

moneysaving expert forum has a currency checker that shows the best rates for collection or delivery

[x5tuu]

Why physical cash?

You could use a Revolut or Starling (other challengers are available) and do a transition in USD at the current live rate with zero (or next to zero) fees which will always be more advantageous than cash.

Unless you want it to 'untraceable' but then purchasing USD like noted in the OP isn't a way to go about this.

[captain_cynic]

Likely buying something overseas, like a car for a road trip. The banking system of the US is a complete and utter mess, there is no system of interbank transfer that is easy to use like the ROTW. Hence they end up using 3rd parties like Venmo to transfer money to each other.

Or going to a country where the local.xurrsncy is too volatile so USD id preferred (Not everyone goes to Malaga/Ibiza every summer you know).

That being said, $9K is a tall order. Not many FX traders will keep that kind of paper around. Is it possible to use one of the P2P exchanges like Currency Fair or OFX (Again, due the fustercluck of the US Banking system some won't even operate in the US)

[abzmike]

I doubt you could ‘pop in’ to anywhere and get that amount. Should be able to order it though, but you may need to give a reason.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Also you will have issues taking more than 10k in cash iirc

[satans worm]

Thanks for the replies, ill take a look at the web sites and se how best to proceed

Im still pretty mad that Nat West cannot facilitate this, its supposed to be a mainstream bank and cannot do a basic currency exchange service!

[Sheepshanks]

Not done this for a couple of years, but we just use M&S and get it delivered. Their website suggests for more than £2500 you have to use their Bureau de Change but looks like all main stores have one.