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Bank of China
Category: Financial Services Banks & Credit Unions Banks & Credit Unions [Edit]
396 Dundas St WToronto, ON M5T 1G7
Neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Downtown Core
(416) 971-8806
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 10 am - 4:30 pm
Fri 10 am - 6:30 pm
Sat 10 am - 3:30 pm
2 reviews for Bank of China
2 reviews in English
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Review from Karl R.
12/5/2011 3 photos
Went here to get Chinese yuan for a trip. Fortunately I got my visa elsewhere (Visa Center proved cheap, quick, and professional: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). The BoC was recommended to me as a place to get yaun in Toronto at a favorable rate. I went on a Saturday. As the other reviewer notes, there's a "take a number" machine. You don't find this in many Canadian banks but this system is quite common in Asia. And you appreciate it in Asia. If you've spent any time in lines in Asia, you have probably felt a person behind you standing so close that their genitals are firmly tucked in the warmth of your ass crack and you only wish you were fluent enough in the local language to turn around and ask the person behind you that if he was so content to dock his genitals in your ass crack, could he at least do you the solid of giving you a reach around and a kiss on the mouth? Maybe call me Susan? Whatya say, buddy?
Despite the efficiencies of the take a number system, the tellers here move at a glacial pace. Glacial. Witnessed a couple young Chinese girls wander off and return later to find their number had been called several minutes ago. They tried to jump the queue instead of sucking it up and taking another number (hey, we all didn't go off shopping, we waited patiently for our chance). Ah the Chinese grandmother who then tried to explain to them they weren't jumping in front of anyone else. Ah, the look of confusion on their faces. "But but I'm a little empress back at home. I always get my way. WTF?"
You don't see that at Canadian banks, neither. Snort. Anyway, one extra star for the floor show. But save time and just hit an exchange kiosk on Spandina (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). Don't change much money to begin with. Just have enough for the airport, transportation to your hotel etc. Maybe exchange $100. You might find you're only saving a matter of 20 yaun ($5). It ain't worth my time. -
Review from Janet S.
Toronto, ON
10/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My friend advised me that I can get a Chinese Visa at BoC, so I hit it up. I had heard that the Chinese consulate was a total zoo, even having lineups out the door, etc.
It costs more ($70 vs $50), but you don't have to line up in that zoo of a Chinese consulate
Well, the bank wasn't totally devoid of queues, it is a bank, after all.
Upon entering the bank, use the touchscreen console to get a number. If you're there for a visa, you'll be in a separate lineup. Once you've got your number, you can sit in the comfy waiting area, instead of outside in the cold.
The reason my experience with the bank was poor was because of the awful dissemination of information. But that's not all the bank's fault. Some blame can be laid on the crappy websites.
Firstly, service fees are cash only. Why, oh why, would a bank accept cash only? Also, you have to pay up front, whereas at the consulate, you pay after you've gotten your Visa. Suuuper sketchy.
Secondly, the staff don't speak English! The people who are trying to get Chinese visas are not Chinese...we may not speak Chinese. I tried to ask if they converted currency to Chinese RMB, and the guy couldn't understand my question.
I wish I had a thirdly, but really, all I have is a feeling of dissatisfaction in my experience without quite knowing why. I just left feeling poorly served overall.
But I'd still go there over the consulate to get a Chinese visa.
