In Reply to: I despair ! posted by Nevl on Thursday, 27. September 2007 at 18:03 Bali Time:
Most banks charge a minimum commission of $5 per foreign currency purchase. Aust Post charges no commission but you must buy a minimum of AUD$200 worth of foreign currency. This isn't taking into account having to travel to a bank do the exchange, parking fees etc.
So at today's exchange rate, buying US$25 means going out of my way to a bank I'd never usually visit, and would cost me $29 + $5 in fees.
Or I could pay AUD$35 at the counter when I arrive, using an aussie $50 that is in my wallet anyway - and the change comes back in rupiah, which then pays for my taxi and change over.
I know which option makes more sense to me.