Bus fare

I take the bus every morning into work. My fare's £2.10. So, yesterday, I went to my bank(Santander), and tried to ask if they would change £10 into pound coins for me. But, the teller said that they didn't do that, they only took money in. I thought all banks did this for you? Do I have to go to somewhere else to do this? Did I ask in the wrong way? So confusing!

I got £40 worth of change from ours this week for our little shop we run at the farmers market.  I'm guessing you just got someone being rude.  I can't believe she wouldn't change it for you, especially since it is your own bank.  I'd make a fuss and complain to them that if they can't even provide this most basic of services for you, you can take your business elsewhere.

You may not need to even get change for bus fare. I know when I take the bus and I have a note they always make change for me.

I think if  you hold an account at the bank they should give you change--maybe the teller misunderstood or like Cadenza said was rude.

The buses in Leeds though will make change for you--it's normal for people to get on the bus with notes instead of exact change.  That's a nice change from the buses in Philly where you had to have exact change for the fare.

I've had change from both banks and shops before. I don't think your experience is typical - maybe the teller was having a bad day.

I haven't taken the bus here yet, but in Pembrokeshire you did have to have exact change.

I've never had a problem with getting change, I think you your cashier was just rude.

The city buses here require exact change, the private buses will take notes and give change.

Have you looked into a bus card? I ended up getting one that is paid by direct debit so I never have to worry about having change (and saves me something like £30 a month) and my husband has one that is just a prepaid one so he doesn't need to worry about having change as the cash points near us charge nearly 2 quid!

The bus company can tell you what they offer, the private ones here let you buy a week or so many rides in advance and the city has all sorts of options, it really cuts out the hassle of having to make sure you have enough change.

I don't ride the bus often enough to need a bus pass - just 3 days a week into town and then I walk home. One morning the driver (it's been a different driver every day) charged me 10p more than the other drivers My BF says this isn't uncommon and thinks it's to do with whether they tick that they're at a stop as they're pulling in or when they're pulling out.

I don't ride the bus often enough to need a bus pass - just 3 days a week into town and then I walk home. One morning the driver (it's been a different driver every day) charged me 10p more than the other drivers My BF says this isn't uncommon and thinks it's to do with whether they tick that they're at a stop as they're pulling in or when they're pulling out.

Yup, or sometimes if they have multiple stops on a route and you just give a general direction (students here tend to say "The University") the drivers will just pick one for you. Most of the time they pick the closest, but sometimes they don't know or just...don't. I always try to have at least close to correct change, especially at this time of year, as all of the 1st years are about to arrive at attempt to pay an 80p bus fare with £20 notes. The bus drivers are mostly good natured about it, but their change runs out!
I've had no trouble getting change at the bank, though, the teller must have had a tough day or something.

I take the bus every morning into work. My fare's £2.10. So, yesterday, I went to my bank(Santander), and tried to ask if they would change £10 into pound coins for me. But, the teller said that they didn't do that, they only took money in. I thought all banks did this for you? Do I have to go to somewhere else to do this? Did I ask in the wrong way? So confusing!

Right, that's when I would say - Okay, then I'd like to deposit this £10 into my account.  (And have the teller do that.)

Then when she asks if there is anything else, I'd say...

Okay, now I'd like to withdraw £10 in pound coins, from my account. 

Honestly, what she told you is ridiculous enough that I would just have found an equally ridiculous way around it. 

When I go in on this coming Saturday,I'll ask at the information desk about the situation. I do think it's a bit dumb that they don't give out change for pound notes. I used to do it all the time in the States to get a roll of quarters to do my washing at the coin laundry. Can't be that much different, can it?!

I did consider that the teller misunderstood me, and thought  I was trying to change my pounds for dollars-but, in the spirit of good customer service, you'd think she would've asked me exactly what I meant by "change". I think she was new; I didn't recognise her at all, as well she wasn't as polished as the other bank tellers, but, I know that's no excuse for her bad manners.

Our busses are a bit lame in our town, and they do ask for exact change, and I take the bus at 6:49am, so, I wouldn't count on there being any change to be had anyway.

I did have a bus ticket for awhile, but, because I only take the bus four days out of the week in the mornings; DH drives me on Fridays because he doesn't work on Fridays and he picks me up after work every evening, it actually saves me money to not get a bus ticket.

If the bank's still going to be lame about it all-which I don't think they will, if anything I think the new teller might get a bit of a telling off, but, who knows-I'll just go to the change machine at asda.

Right, that's when I would say - Okay, then I'd like to deposit this £10 into my account.  (And have the teller do that.)Then when she asks if there is anything else, I'd say...
Okay, now I'd like to withdraw £10 in pound coins, from my account. 

Yes, and do it with a smile

If you can't make change at a bank, where are you supposed to make change?!  How strange... maybe that person misunderstood?  I've never had a problem at my bank, and they never ask if I belong to that bank or not.  Hope it doesn't happen to you again.

If they give you hassle next time I'd ask to speak to the Manager.  That's a basic service that you as an account holder should be getting.  If you're not I'd threaten to take your business elsewhere where they care about their account holders.

We've got two different bus systems here, Travel West Midlands doesn't give change but the private buses do.

If they give you hassle next time I'd ask to speak to the Manager.  That's a basic service that you as an account holder should be getting.  If you're not I'd threaten to take your business elsewhere where they care about their account holders.

We've got two different bus systems here, Travel West Midlands doesn't give change but the private buses do.

I completely forgot to go yesterday. Was in a bit of a rush before my driving lesson, so, didn't go into town. But,it's my short day on Tuesday, so, I'll try again.

So, it's confirmed-the original experience was a one off. I went in today and got a £20 note swapped for a bag of pound coins, no questions asked. The lady who served me today was one of the regular workers there, so, there was no hassle this time.