When buying from shops from abroad, try asking if they will use Transferwise. They're an extremely reasonable exchange rate company, that charges way less.
EG. I bought a £500+ Carvin amp from Station Music in Germany and it cost me £2.50 instead of roughly £30 from either my bank or Paypal. to exchange to Euros
Not everyone will use Transferwise, maybe they think its a scam, but my deal went perfectly.
https://transferwise.com/