I can't remember, do i need a Costco card? mine expired and I'm not sure I will renew it.woody with a view - 11-20-2010 at 01:58 PM
no. just walk up.David K - 11-20-2010 at 02:22 PM
Hmmm... every Costco has a door gaurd to check for membership when you walk in... I know that if you tell them you are going to the pharmacy, no card
is needed (state law or something, so anyone can get Costco perscriptions filled). Do you think the same could be true of the money exchange, inside?Trueheart - 11-20-2010 at 02:47 PM
Last time I went into the Chula Vista Costco, they didn't ask me for my club card, although I had it on me. I just indicated that I wanted to find
the exchange.
Depending on how many pesos you are trying to buy, you should have both your passport and driver's license with you for the transaction.Bob and Susan - 11-20-2010 at 02:48 PM
exchange here
lots of parking too
castaway$ - 11-20-2010 at 03:09 PM
Bob and Susan- I know in the past you had said that there is a place in San Ysidro that gives a better exchange rate but I couldn't find the thread,
is this the place? Is it on the Mex side or B4
[Edited on 11-20-2010 by castaway$]Cypress - 11-20-2010 at 03:11 PM
Costco and Baja in the same sentence? There's something wrong with that picture.woody with a view - 11-20-2010 at 03:11 PM
yes. not to pop your bubble, but driving away from a casa de cambio into tj just seems like the turds might be scoping it out.... peace of mind at
costco.woody with a view - 11-20-2010 at 03:13 PM
last u.s. exit of I-5.David K - 11-20-2010 at 03:59 PM
and to not confuse too many, the Chula Vista Costco is at Palomar Exit I-5, go east to Broadway, then north to Costco (on the left).Cypress - 11-20-2010 at 04:10 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
yes. not to pop your bubble, the turds might be scoping it out.....
Thanks, my bubble was popped a long
time ago.
A Philosophical Statement?
Bajahowodd - 11-20-2010 at 04:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Cypress
Costco and Baja in the same sentence? There's something wrong with that picture.
Actually, there are stores in Tijuana(2), Ensenada, Mexicali, and Cabo San Lucas. However, Costco Mexico is majority owned by Comercial Mexicano. If I
ever had the time, I always wondered what it would be like in Ensenada, where they are virtually co-located, to do a price comparison.bajaguy - 11-20-2010 at 04:57 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Actually, there are stores in Tijuana(2), Ensenada, Mexicali, and Cabo San Lucas. However, Costco Mexico is majority owned by Comercial Mexicano. If I
ever had the time, I always wondered what it would be like in Ensenada, where they are virtually co-located, to do a price comparison.
They don't carry a lot of the same items..........although I have found a bunch of stuff that the US COSTCO's carryBajahowodd - 11-20-2010 at 05:05 PM
Certainly, the Kirkland brand items. Reminds me that there is some enterprising fellow that buys that stuff and sells it along the Baja. I have to
chuckle when I check into a hotel in Guerrero Negro and find Kirkland bottled water and/or toilet paper, remembering that I'm like 400 miles from a
Costco.bajaguy - 11-20-2010 at 05:09 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Certainly, the Kirkland brand items.
And more.......I found Winnemucca (NV) Farms Creamy Mashed potatoes.......a long way from home.....Bajahowodd - 11-20-2010 at 05:12 PM
At a 'price', perhaps? Especially in well trafficked tourist areas that happens. Like down in BCS, the late, lamented CCC chain, as well as the
Aramburo chain carried a host of "imported" goods.DENNIS - 11-20-2010 at 07:27 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by castaway$
I can't remember, do i need a Costco card? mine expired and I'm not sure I will renew it.
Shame on you. That's worse than giving up your citizenship. roadhog - 11-20-2010 at 11:39 PM
how does costco calculate the exchange rate ?SoCal-Bob - 11-21-2010 at 12:26 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by roadhog
how does costco calculate the exchange rate ?
with a calculator? DENNIS - 11-21-2010 at 06:54 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by roadhog
how does costco calculate the exchange rate ?
Are you asking about the Casa de Cambio in Chula Vista Costco or the purchases in Costco Mexico?Iflyfish - 11-21-2010 at 07:55 AM
Thanks to Bob and Susan we used the Chula Vista Casa de Cambio and it was excellent, plenty of room for our MH and no wait. Great option if going thru
San Yasidro crossing, which this year was the easiest crossing in my over 45 years of visiting Baja. Ya gotta love the Nomads!
Iflyfishwilderone - 11-21-2010 at 08:15 AM
I know the exchange rate changes every day, but the day I bought pesos and then traveled it went like this: offered at $12.03 in San Ysidro. The
cambio next to the bank near migra at TJ offered at $12.06. Had to buy pesos to get a visa, so I exchanged there. Two days later I saw exchange
rates in Ensenada at $12.18, and later the same day in San Quintin, at $12.25. I would therefore recommend that if you're passing through San
Quintin, buy there.Bob and Susan - 11-21-2010 at 08:23 AM
i found the EXACT opposite
lower rates in San Quintin...
litter higher in ensenada
better rates by the hospital in ensenada
and even higher at the border in the USA
the tecate crossing had good rates but recently were lower
best rate for exchange and PARKING
was at the Chula Vista Casa de Cambio
rates change daily and sometimes several times a day
i agree with safety issues
when exchanging money
watch your back
but that's always the way in southern californiaBob and Susan - 11-21-2010 at 08:35 AM
costco isn't really all that cheaper
you need to shop
i really don't know what the "draw" is...
may be the hotdogs and pizzaDENNIS - 11-21-2010 at 09:18 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
I know the exchange rate changes every day, but the day I bought pesos and then traveled it went like this: offered at $12.03 in San Ysidro. The
cambio next to the bank near migra at TJ offered at $12.06. Had to buy pesos to get a visa, so I exchanged there. Two days later I saw exchange
rates in Ensenada at $12.18, and later the same day in San Quintin, at $12.25. I would therefore recommend that if you're passing through San
Quintin, buy there.
Casas de Cambio, the competitive ones, are generally 2% below the bank rate at the time. That can change throughout the day regardless of where you
are.
Unless the transaction is large, it may drive one nuts trying to save a few cents with the best rate. Don't people have better things to do down here
other than trying to keep up with the money market?Bob and Susan - 11-21-2010 at 10:07 AM
let's do the math...
if you exchange $1000
one place you get 12.4 to the dollar or 12,400 pesos
the other place you get 12.1 to the dollar or 12,100 pesos
the differance is 300 pesos
or 1/2 a tank of gas in the truck
or 2 cased of beer
or a couple sheets of plywood
or dinner
or
a 262 peso FMM visa and a churro
[Edited on 11-21-2010 by Bob and Susan]MsTerieus - 11-21-2010 at 10:15 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Don't people have better things to do down here other than trying to keep up with the money market?
Ummm, reading and posting on Nomads all day? castaway$ - 11-21-2010 at 05:35 PM
I have posted about this before and it always draws a bunch of responses, sounds like the San Ysidro place probably gives the best rate but not quite
as secure when carrying a wad of cash-What to do?bajaguy - 11-21-2010 at 05:43 PM
Use an ATM at a bank or in a large grocery storeBob and Susan - 11-22-2010 at 06:20 AM
free standing ATM's in stores
are probably the most unsecure
places to use your card
they are sometimes serviced by non-bank employees
the bank will give you pesos out of the ATM but
remember there is a service charge EVERY time
you use it
actually for "castaway" the San Ysidro place
may be good because he's walking across
they have $5 day parking in their lot and
it's only 200 yds to the walk-across border
i did it...a little dusty but not badroadhog - 11-22-2010 at 08:38 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by roadhog
how does costco calculate the exchange rate ?
Are you asking about the Casa de Cambio in Chula Vista Costco or the purchases in Costco Mexico?
CHULA VISTA !DENNIS - 11-22-2010 at 10:42 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by roadhog
CHULA VISTA !
As I mentioned above, the Cambios establish a rate around 2% below the bank rate at the moment which you can get from Yahoo Finance as well as many
other sites.
The Cambio in Costco seems to be a bit more generous doing everything possible to facilitate a shopping experience for folks from below the
border...which is a good share of their business.
Below the border, the Cambios have more to do. They act as short-term money lenders selling secured loans to those who need a quick peso or two.
Their rates are breathtaking, but banks don't lend in that manner and when you need money, the Cambios have it.
