A.R. Money Exchange

The only thing I love about this place is its hilarious play on ARMANI EXCHANGE. Geddit? Geddit? A.R. Money Exchange.
That’s where it ends. Perhaps I’ve had tough luck with timings, but on every occassion I’ve visited this place, I’ve left it frustrated and disappointed with the service provided by this one and only money changer in the Bishan area. It seems that other reviewers here have no complaints, I could just be the unlucky one!
Nestled on the ground floor of the Junction 8 mall, this money exchange service has a system whereby there is a single queue on its extreme right for people to hand in their currency for exchange, and upon receiving a receipt or piece of paper indicating the amount, they have to move over to a corresponding line on the left to collect their changed currency from another teller. Sounds like a pretty simple concept. It is! Except for the fact that there is a huge gap in speeds between the first and second lines.
The first line moves swiftly, the second one doesn’t. The big glass window that separates teller from customer is another aspect I am not fond of. Despite certain allowances for conversation like appropriately placed holes, audio levels are muffled and you can never hear anyone properly. I am also not a big fan of money changers where I cannot freely interact with the tellers to negotiate rates, or even speak freely about my currency exchange. Everything moves like a factory line at this place, and at the end of the day, I’d rather save my money and change it elsewhere.
Their exchange rates are pretty standard, but once again not the best, but when you live in Bishan, the popular saying «beggars can’t be choosers» comes into play. Avoid peak periods here, you may be in that second snaking queue for extended periods of time.

I am not choosy when it comes to finding a money changer but you definitely have to find one that is trustworthy and that the rates you get don’t lose out to the normal ones.
But when I need a money changer, the first one that comes to my mind is this one at Bishan, Junction 8. The first reason being that is it near my house. Secondly, you don’t need to wait too long like the more famous one at Raffles and Chinatown. Thirdly, judging from the queue it forms, you know you won’t lose out with the rates it gives. Although I don’t change alot of money to make the different in rates visible, human still have this mindset to go for the better ones.
To aid to the efficiency, two queues are formed. One is for you to submit order, another is for collection. Not quite common to see but something for others to learn and pick up.

Tucked away in a corner of Junction 8 (near the lifts) is the Money Exchanger outlet which has a perpetually long queue! Thankfully because there are 3 people running the counter, the longest i’ve waited was only 10 minutes tops. They always say Singaporeans’ queuing implies that there must be a good deal that is sniffed out. This is such an instance.
A.R. Money Exchangers has the most favourable rates in the AMK area, so you don’t have to travel all the way to Suntec City to visit ‘thaaat’ money changer with the insanely long queues either. They have a guy standing by the side to ensure everything is in order. Further, it is conveniently situated opposite OCBC/​POSB ATMs, so you can easily get liquidity should you need more. Another plus point is that is open till 9.30pm daily, unlike other money changers which operate from nine to five.