Thread: Sending money overseas

Will they accept credit/debit card ? A phone call to supply your cc details will cost you less than $25.

Originally Posted by dabbler

Will they accept credit/debit card ? A phone call to supply your cc details will cost you less than $25.

No unfortunately.

Had a similar problem some time ago. Ended up using Western Union. You can do it all online.

If it's more than $2000 (and it's prolly not) you'll get the best rate through OzForex.

What currency?

Small amount USD 17O

FF Site you recommend suggests i use tranferz for small amounts
NA western union is about same as bank

Saw this company Pennytel North Ryde based telco backed by westpac for $8 ? Any experiences?

No, I've only used OzForex, seeings how one of the chaps, who works for a local bank in the ForEx dept, says OzForex is the go.

There's only so many ways to skin a cat, and they all come down to the same bottom line. If there's no fees then the Ex.rate will be hideous.

It's just that the banks do both. Yeah, yeah, big surprise.

This is probably a silly question as it has not already been suggested by the experts amongst you. Can you do a direct transfer to their bank or is this where the exchange rate and fees rear their ugly head?

Regards
Paul

If you trust the man at the other end, why not consider just posting cash?

I do this quite a bit for small amounts, and just posted off GBP25 last week to UK.
I get the money in notes in the sellers currency from a bank or Travelex, rounding it upwards, and forget about the difference.
A main branch bank will have small denomination notes, as will Travelex at airports.
Travelex MAY work out cheaper, as it doesnt have a separate relatively large fee, just an exchange rate (with built in fee).
The break even point balancing fees and amount, between eg Travelex and a bank, seems to me to be about $100.

Never had a failure yet, but I must admit, as your amount is US$170, I would think on it for a while for anything over $100, and would ask the seller first if cash is OK.

For "funny countries" I have used Western Union successfully for medium amounts.
It is safe and everywhere, though relatively expensive.
The amount is usually addressed to a particular person, who then has to present a passport to collect.

Australia Post now only uses Western Union.
The days of International Money Orders bought in Australia is gone, although often specified by overseas sellers.

One last thing, I have an Amazon UK account, and I am just amazed at how some large UK hardware and tool suppliers are "linked" through the Amazon organisation.
It saves you have multiple accounts, and uses your credit card account.
Try looking for your "stuff" using an Amazon UK web search, and see if it comes up.
Never had a problem with Amazon.

Obviously this will not work for really obscure stuff, or for stuff only available from one unlinked supplier.
I have bought spares for my bandsaw this way, and even sent flowers to a family member living in London.

cheerio mike

So the story is i am buying some stuff from a bloke in Woodstock, Illinois from an auction site called bonanza. Its a good deal apart from the money issue.
In his blurb he says he is "old" does not trust the internet and lists his only methods of paying as money order or cheque. I think he also means paper money order not electronic transfer of any kind.

Any way i have asked him if he will accept a cheque is AUD. If the answer is no then i will consider the cash option or if he will accept a wire transfer by going to western union etc.

Do you know anyone in the US through a forum?

If you do you could ask that person to send a cheque or money order to the seller and you can reimburse him through PayPal (not forgetting to add about 5% for fees).

I have done this in the past, also done this for multiple small orders which that person then combined in one Flat Rate box.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Do you know anyone in the US through a forum?

If you do you could ask that person to send a cheque or money order to the seller and you can reimburse him through PayPal (not forgetting to add about 5% for fees).

I have done this in the past, also done this for multiple small orders which that person then combined in one Flat Rate box.

That sounds excellent, but you have to build up that initial trust, which I presume does not happen overnight.

Regards
Paul

Thats a good idea but i dont know anyone on this or other forums that are in the states.
I have done this in the past on trademe (NZ) with someone on this forum who i really didn't know at the time and who i trusted up front with an excellent outcome.

Any assistance from US members would be considered

Originally Posted by Pac man

Thats a good idea but i dont know anyone on this or other forums that are in the states.
I have done this in the past on trademe (NZ) with someone on this forum who i really didn't know at the time and who i trusted up front with an excellent outcome.

Any assistance from US members would be considered

Waidaminute! I think I know someone who might be able to help.

Let me send an email and I'll get back to you.

Hi,

I just got Brett's email. We can work this out without a problem. PM guyc45 with the details and I'll semd a check,


Guy