Change Group

A good place to get currency exchanged before a trip. They have good hours (good for a procrastinator like me who rushes around the day before the flight to get this stuff done) and their rates aren't too bad compared to what you might encounter at your destination (when I went to Paris the rates were ridiculous), though they could be better.

The best thing about them is that you can try to negotiate a better rate (if you're buying dollars) or try to get them to waive the service fee (if you're selling dollars) - shhhh.

I guess an issue I had with this place is that it's on such a busy street and right on the sidewalk - nothing that can be helped I suppose, but I hate flashing large amounts of cash in such an exposed location!

I would have happily donated my 215 Euros to the needy or homeless people around Union Square than to exchange it with ChangeGroup. Read on to find out why...

Don't throw away your hard earned money at ChangeGroup. Sketchy business with rude staff and hidden fees.

If exchange rates were not favorable and I was ignorant enough to exchange my money, then that's on me. But this business goes out of their way to deceive customers. ChangeGroup has a don't ask, don't tell policy. Sarah, the teller took my 215 Euros and before confirming the exchange rate or service fees, quickly proceeded to count US dollars and handed it to me in one swift motion. I received a total of $178.15 (look at the photo of my receipt). There was a $5.95 "compliance recovery" fee and a whooping 14.94% service fee. She said the transaction was completed and that they have a no refund policy. If I agreed to those rates, then this mistake is on me, but at no time did Sara ask me or confirm the transaction total before quickly dispensing the funds to me. It's as though by counting and handing me my funds, ChangeGroup was off the hook.

When I asked why didn't Sara confirm the final amount before completing the transaction, Sara replied saying that I didn't ask. What kind of business does this? ChangeGroup's business model is to quickly catch customers off guard and cheat them of their cash. When I asked to speak to a manager she said she's the most senior person despite there being a Deputy Operations Manager, Nazneen Shaikh (look at photo of business card).

A quick google search of Euros to USD would show that 215 Euros would equal roughly $246 (as of 12/28/2018). I understand this is a business and they have make money, but not by deceiving customers of $68 dollars. That's just wrong.

It's the holidays and I don't want to be sour, but I feel like I have to share this so others won't make my mistake. I wish that I could take all those euros back and donate them to a charity instead.

TOTALLY JOKE
They messaged me to delete the negative review I left them couple months ago, how about improve your customer experience and stop the scam instead??
If you want your money then do not waste your time here. They are seriously liars and they use their little scam to trick your money.
Don't waste your time here, they are such a joke honestly.

They have a sign right outside that says they don't take a commission. I was charged $10.95 and left with only $20 of my exchange amount. That's over 50% commission!

Avoid this place like the plague.

Horrible rates. Terrible customer service. I shouldn't have to negotiate and pay outrageous hidden fees to exchange my currency. It should be clearly written or visible to the customer , right? Nope, not here! Oh and if you write a bad review on here they message you asking to take it down so their business won't look bad! Lol

If I could give it a negative star I would .
Sign states no commission but they do charge and at a very high rate .
Poor rates , rude staff .
Avoid.

WARNING: THIEVES!

I visited their location at Union Square in San Francisco. I had a 50 Euro note I wanted to exchange for US dollars. There were no rates posted anything in the location, nor a statement of exchange fees. I mentioned to the woman behind the bullet-proof glass that my 50 Euros was worth about $60, so I was happy to exchange it. She didn't dispute my statement.

I slid the 50 Euro note under the bulletproof glass. She then proceeded to count out $35.49. I said, "Wait, that's a horrible exchange rate. I want my Euros back". She refused. She claimed the "No refunds sign" (with the typo of "Californica") meant the deal was done. I pointed out that she never quoted me a rate, therefore there was no meeting of the minds in a contract sense, and therefore there had been no deal. I hadn't taken the offered $35.49, so there had been no exchange of consideration. Her "supervisor" then appeared and told her to sweep my 50 Euro note into a drawer and refused to consider my demand to return my money. Despite my increasing anger, the pair told me the sign in the window said I should have asked for the exchange rate and fees - it says not such thing!

The "supervisor" gave me a piece of paper with an email address "for customer complaints", with another typo on it. I tried emailing them, but of course the email bounced.

This behavior is outrageous. They took 37% of my 50 Euros, based on that day's exchange rate of $55.99 per 50 Euros. While I understand reasonable exchange rates and fees, 37% is no such thing.

This place is horrible they scam you and some times they don't pay you. The positive reviews on here are for the previous manager. Nazneen Sheik who is the current manager is very short tempered. She will scam you out of your money, ask for the 5% rate if you want the REAL current rates for all currencies.

She will tell you an amount at first then your payout will magically change significantly after you negotiate back and forth with her.

Your best bet is to go to either the airport or the currency exchange at the Westfield mall.

Come on, stop staring at those etchings of trumpet players, swamp birds and deposed dictators, empty your shorts and turn that $#%* back in. Mexico worked hard to print its currency and they need it back.

Your bank has a better rate. But do you really want to ride the escalator on Monday, twenty fluorescent minutes in an armless chair stained of corporate desolation, a flickering windowless office with sea lions mating in badly framed posters? All that for sixty bucks?

Naw, come down to Union Square instead. The Change Group offers the most cheerful walk-up counter, conveniently and professionally open until 8 on Saturdays, your last opportunity to fund your own bar tab if otherwise out of american $love. Small sips only please -- their pour size for dollars is 10% downside of market.

There's a service fee but you're welcome to haggle that like it's Tijuana. Hella beats the payroll advance and pawning your roommate's stereo.

Getting ready to travel and needed Euros, used Change Group and pretty good exchange rate. I called to exchange $1000 US and the folks at Change group held the Euros for me. Nice service

In business soley to undercut unsuspecting tourists. You will get the lowest exchange rate at this hole in the wall establishment and be treated rudely for it. I decided to wait until the bank opened the next day.