I am pretty sure Wiggle are making a healthy markup on their currency conversions. If you buy from Wiggle even if they charge you in $AUD then you still pay the 3% credit card surcharge, so you get hit with the double whammy. IMO the best bet is to be charged in UK pounds and then pay with Paypal using either existing funds in your Paypal account or fund the transaction via direct debit from your bank account and avoid the 3%. The amount you get charged by Paypal will have an exchange rate conversion fee built in to it but it should still be less than the Wiggle amount in $AUD.Tazzy wrote:Thinking of making a substantial online order and wondering what's going on with Wiggle and c r c regarding their exchange rates on the Aussie Dollar.
My calculations on a 291 GBP order from each,
Wiggle $483 AUD
c r c $452 AUD
XE conversion rate (AT) 0.665 ponds for a dollar gives me $444
Apparently Wiggle automatically charge you in AUD but I'm still waiting on a reply from c r c as to wether it's an option or not.
My financial Institution will charge me around 3% surcharge on an internaqtional transaction regardless of the currency so I don't gain anything there but their exchange rates are accurate.
Paypal apply their surcharge in their exchange rates so that's a no win too.
Perhaps it may come down to who can provide the best and fastest service but 30 or 40 bux is 30 or 40 bux.
Edit - I'm not sure if CBA charge an international transaction fee if Paypal do the conversion so that may be the way to go. I've always selected that my bank performs the conversion when using paypal so wouldn't know.
If you go with the Wiggle $AUD option that is exactly what you will pay (plus the 3% international transaction charge depending on your financial institution). The amount in $AUD that c r c, Ribble, Evans Cycles calculate on their website is only an estimate based on current exchange rates. The amount that you actually get charged in $AUD can be significantly different to what the online site estimates. I noticed in particular that c r c $AUD prices were not changing even when the exchange rate was fluctuating.
Oh and has worked with the British Olympic team at the Beijing Olympics, consults for Tennis Australia, hockey (not sure of the level) and does work for the AIS as well I believe, amongst other consultancies and private practice. Not sure if that means much but. Also she is helping me loose weight ... interesting then that she increased my consumption on rides or it seemed to me the time.
