Where to exchange currency without getting gouged?

[Peak2Trough]

I've got some Euros I want to exchange for USD.  The other day the EUR/USD was bidding 1.33 or so.  I called the only two local currency exchange joints in town and was quoted 1.25 and 1.15 (!) plus other commissions and fees on top.

I figure someone in this group knows of a better way to exchange this than lighting fire to ~10% of this cash with these two.

Any help is appreciated... thanks,

P2T

[notsheigetz]

Find someone that's travelling to Europe and make a win-win deal with them.

We usually just keep our pesos when we return from the Philippines which works out well because they've been going up dramatically against the dollar for a number of years and there is always somebody we know making the trip.

[AgAuMoney]

Sometimes banks, but likely only if there is a lot of that currency in your area.

I've been able to beat the commercial money changer rates at local coin shops.  My favorite place will usually do it at the yahoo exchange quote plus a very small fee.  However neither he nor the other two places I've seen do this are willing or able to do a large amount (usually a few hundred dollars to $1000 at most) and sometimes cannot do any at all.

Craig's list is another option.  I'd recommend to meet in a public place, like the food court at a mall.