Wire transfer payment in Europe

I have had some sent to me without a hitch, however, it was expensive on my end to receive the transfer. I am US based and the transfers were from Europe and one from the Islands. It is a very common way of paying in AU., I understand

That's right Mrs. M. A lot of Australian sellers prefer direct transfer.

I don't use it because I don't like dealing with banks (as you say, too expensive).

Germany is a country from which I'd expect few problems, however.

GG

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Germany is a country from which I'd expect few problems, however.

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I agree, GG. I have had no problems with transfers there. Actually, I had forgotten, but I used to buy large orders from a couple of Asian countries and I did a bank tranfer for each purchase. No problems there either.

As I understand it bank transfers are a normal thing in Germany and are free. Other things cost money but that's free. Here in the US and I guess the UK bank transfers cost money, but different ways of payment are free.

Basically the bank makes whatever is the standard free, and hits you with large fees on the non standard payment methods.

From what I've heard credit cards arent as popular of a from of payment in Germany because you aren't offered the same level of protection as the merchant or the buyer there. I'm not real clear on that. But I'm pretty sure wire transfers are the main payment method there.

Perhaps someone from Germany can give us the juicy details.

Thanks for the info so far guys...

Has anyone actually done one of these from the UK?

Actually it seems the credit card is not popular in Europe generally, Sara. Perhaps for the reasons you suggest. French sellers, with whom I will no longer deal, are particularly averse it seems.

Paypal seems to be struggling to make inroads over there.

GG

Generally all you need to receive funds is the "routing number" of the bank associated to your account. It is actually some of the numbers on your checking account checks, for instance. But, it is best to call your bank to ask them the routing number--so you can figure out if they will be charging a fee to you (the recipient). Be sure to put on your seller listing that "foreign payments may cost additional--foreign bidders must notify me of their intents to bid at least 1 full business day prior to end of auction to determine costs."

My bank charges a hefty amount. I remember one recently was $15 for receiving slightly over $100.00! I too, tell the buyer he must add this fee to his payment.

While it's easy for me to say, now that you've bought the item it doesn't seem you have much choice.

The time to consider the security of sending money by this, or any other, method is before committing yourself, I'd suggest.

GG

GG - I'd agree - but I couldn't get a reply out of them before auction close and I really wanted it - I have no worries per se about security etc. I was just hoping for some guidance about actually carrying out the wire-transfer that they'd prefer.

Cheers, FS

Ah, now I see where you're coming from.

Wish I could help, but I avoid "wire transfer only" sellers for the same reason, I don't know anything about them.

GG

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Originally posted by Feedingseagulls:
although I standardly send cash from the UK for small amounts this one's a bit more than I'd be happy to risk.

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I regularly used to buy from the US and sent cash by ordinary airmail. If the amount was uncomfortably large I posted the payment over 2, 3, or 4 days in stages (make sure the seller knows what you are doing first!)