I don't think any of the rubles on eBay are legal to use as money in Russia. They're all "collector items", meaning specially made souvenir items for the Olympics or else expired money you can no longer actually use to buy things, that's why it seems cheap.
Just change your money at the airport when you get there. You have 3 years to worry about changing your money. Concentrate instead on your travel plans.
PS: I travel a LOT internationally and for the past TEN YEARS at least I've never had a problem using my debit card in countries around the world (Brazil, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Kuwait, and many others) either at stores or at an ATM. Mastercard and Visa are recognized around the world. You'll have no problem getting cash in your hand. Just make sure you have enough in your bank.
Why not just change your USD to rubles now at a foreign currency exchange. I would buy anything like that on Ebay. By 2018 the ruble will have recovered its value.
Sounds like a sketchy plan. The ruble isn't that stable and the conversion price has fallen drastically. Why not buy rubles when you have the money to go on the trip?
You may loose money doing this. Its only $20 worth so why bother? $168 in rubles isn't enough to do anything with.
Instead of doing that, why not just go to your bank and order them? You will get the current conversion rate - you might want to wait, and buy a little at a time, what happens if currency goes down? What happens if you change your mind? Either way, the bank is stull the better option
Currently a rate of exchange is approx. 65 rubles for a dollar. It is very easy to exchange money in Russia, a lot of booths where you can do it. Do not count your money in front of the booths, prepare them in advance and do not get involved with people hanging out there offering you a better rate. They are crooks. Good luck!
Wow! The weirdest idea you could come to!
I hope you realize that:
1) it is not 10 000, but 1 000 rubles:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RUSSIAN-BANK...
plus 5 dollars shipping. You get a bill, which worth 16 dollars, you pay 25 dollars.
2) it is illegal to send money in mail to/from Russia. It is your responsibility to check if you are buying/selling illegal items. When custom confiscates those money, you are ******.
3) you have no idea how to check if banknote you got is fake. Do you really want to end your trip in jail?
WOW!!!! Are you sure you are not under influence of any drugs right now?
Weird idea. Just save money for your trip, bring cash in US Dollars to Russia and exchange it at one of the banks in Russia. This way you won't get screwed.
