Western & North Checkexpress Currency Exchange

I never thought I’d feel compelled to write a Unilocal review for a currency exchange, as I generally try to avoid them. But this year I accidentally forgot to renew my Chicago City Vehicle Sticker online in time. I was super annoyed at myself for having put myself in this position of needing to buy it in person and dreaded standing in line and dealing with customer service that, I assumed, would be on par with the post office and the DMV. Walking in and spotting the bulletproof glass that the tellers worked behind only made me even more wary. This was going to suck.
But, no! How surprised I was to find the gentleman who helped me not only helpful, but friendly and cheerful. The transaction was quick, no-​hassle, and at the end they even hand out a lollipop to customers. A small gesture, but quite nice. I walked out feeling genuinely happy — this stopover had actually improved my mood. Never expected that. These people deserve credit for doing their job efficiently and in a way that brightens customers’ day. That’s a very rare find these days, especially in a place where you buy a vehicle sticker. Huge kudos to them.

Polite, helpful staff who make it super easy to get whatever you need and be on your merry way as quickly as possible. I made the mistake of waiting until the last day (6÷30÷14) before my city parking stickers expired, so of course the line here was long enough that it looped around on itself all the way to the entrance. Despite a computer system that kept crashing due to the high traffic and many frustrated customers who had, in some cases, been to multiple locations during the day just to get their city stickers (and customers who didn’t need stickers and were frustrated at waiting in line so long), the staff were downright pleasant and kind, no matter who walked up to their windows. I have to imagine working city sticker day is similar to working retail the day after Thanksgiving, but much, much worse, and the folks at this Checkexpress couldn’t have handled it any better.
One quick note: this place doesn’t take credit cards, only debit cards with a PIN or cash. Make it easy on ‘em (and on everyone in line behind you) and just bring cash.

Sorry for the short review, but I have had an especially long week. But I had to say this place is great. By far better than any banking institution I have used in Chicago, and I have lived her the majority of my adult Life.
The lines move quick, the staff is helpful, and I haven’t paid any hidden fees that you find at banks. At least here you know the fees right up front and you know what you are in for. Maybe banks are cheaper in the long run but I have been a much happier person doing my simple banking here. Only thing they need is a coin counter and they would be perfect!
And I would like to point out the staff is especially friendly and helpful which is definitely the best part and a pleasant surprise in a sea of bad customer service.

The customer service here is terrible. I worked for a sprint and they said they couldnt verify my check so i took it down the street to cash at amother currency exchange that cashed it in less than 3 minutes. I returned next pay period to cash another check they said they would call the other currency exchange to verify they did so it was verified and my check still wasnt cashed. Its inconvenient because its literally 1 block away from ny house. But I’ve got use to it because of how they treated me.
Im going to toss it out there but i do believe what i experienced was racial profiling. My girlfriend also experienced these same issues with a check from her job where she worked for 10 years. My beliefs is because in there effort to assist me i was mocked by there nasty attitudes and sarcasim. There was a younger female who wears glasses with tatoos and cuts on her arm (she looks like a cutter) who in particular made my experience horrible and i wouldn’t return under any circumstances.

As easy as it gets to purchase a «city sticker» for your vehicle. It takes a bit of the sting out of having to pay to park your car in the city. The staff is friendly too. Ive been getting my sticker there for 3 years now and its always fast!