Physical exchange offices are characterized by a fairly high spread, reaching as much as five percent—the difference between the buying and selling prices. What does this mean in practice? Precisely that neither the buying nor the selling price is attractive to customers. Exchange offices are useful when we need to make a quick transaction and have cash on hand. They can be treated as a last resort, but not as a regular source of foreign currencies. It simply does not pay off.
Cash transactions involving the exchange of zlotys for foreign currencies or currencies for zlotys can also be carried out at any bank; practically every bank has a foreign-currency cash desk. However, banks' offers will not provide us with the most attractive terms. If the exchange is occasional, we may turn a blind eye to potential losses, although that would not be sensible either. When regularly exchanging zlotys for dollars, pounds, francs or euros, it is worth checking where the most favorable exchange rates are available. The same principle applies when exchanging foreign currencies for zlotys.
It has long been known that the cheapest shopping is done online. The same principle applies to buying currencies. Online exchange offices offer the best terms both when selling currencies and when buying them. They can do this because they have low operating costs and earn money through high transaction volumes. Moreover, online exchange offices focus solely on currency exchange; if they offered prices higher than banks, no one would use their services. Therefore, a low price should not be a cause for concern. How to save money by using online exchange offices can be read here: https://www.terve.pl/artykul/jak-zaoszczedzic-dzieki-kantorom-online.html
Of course, apart from the price, it is worth checking the credibility of an online exchange office. A customer-friendly exchange office provides a telephone helpline and frequently updates its exchange rates. Certificates and awards, system connections with multiple banks, data encryption during transactions and confirmation of orders with a code sent by SMS all attest to its credibility. An online exchange office should also provide, in an easy-to-find place, information about how it operates, such as its legal form, share capital and turnover. A good online exchange office will be listed in exchange-office comparison services and rankings.