Having been into Italian bikes for quite some time I've become used to sourcing parts abroad, especially in Italy. A while ago after seeing a report on Martin's Money Supermarket I took out a pre-paid Euro card from FairFX . Essentially this card allows you to load it up with Euros when the exchange rate is favourable . If you're in the middle of a lengthy restoration project where you know you'll be sourcing a lot of parts over a period of time one of these cards can really take the sting out compared to sourcing parts in the UK. With the current exchange rate of €1.40 on the Euro some of the Italian sourced parts are working out up to 50% cheaper.
Under normal circumstances I would always try and support a local or a UK-based business but during the past year every time I pick up the phone to buy some Lancia parts in the UK I've felt like I'm having my pants taken down.
The card is a Mastercard and can be used just like a debit card and also has the facility do do foreign payment transfers free of charge.
https://www.fairfx.com/
