8mm Forum: How best to pay/ get paid internationally?

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Posted by Ron Douglas (Member # 2990) on March 10, 2013, 05:24 PM:

Dear Members,

It would be great if you could post details of robust and safe
methods of payment that you have been using to pay for international
orders, wherever in the world you are.

In the UK, we can post cash in a registered envelope, but this will cost anything from £8 to £15, hence why most payments made to international sellers are done by Paypal.
Fees vary, often dependent on the exchange rate at the time, costing the recipient up to 5%. Bank transfers from a UK bank to a European bank can cost from £8 to £30 per transaction. Do any US members have experience of bank transfers to European banks and costs involved?

It seems to be that most central European ebay users will happily accept bank transfers to one another, presumably as they are free? Can anyone verify this?

Moneybookers is a safe and reliable service, but, again, incurs a charge for currency conversion. I've never used a Western Union moneygram on the basis that it's got no back-up guarantee if the seller doesn't ship the item, or there is a problem with the film(s), which is where Paypal is a very useful tool.

It would be great to hear of alternatives to Paypal and what other members find works well, is reliable and is recommended.
Thanks!

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 10, 2013, 06:22 PM:

Paypal is easiest, I've found.

Posted by Richard C Patchett (Member # 974) on March 10, 2013, 06:36 PM:

Greetings
Please do not use Western Union money gram or even a money order from them
Too much fake ones going on here and over there SPAM
I shipped a parts order to Spain a few years ago got a money gram
From customer and a confirmation and it Bounced
I shipped it United Parcel (ups) Did a tracking on it
Was told by (ups) sorry can’t help you it was delivered
Pay Pal is best even with the fee
RC

Posted by Timothy Price (Member # 1832) on March 10, 2013, 07:05 PM:

Ron- I'm with Mick & RC ... Paypal is KING!

International transactions that DO NOT accept Paypal I've sent American Express Euros Travelers Checks and I've had NO problem with that either.

I've also wired payments through Western Union but as a BUYER only and it was a direct deposit into the sellers bank account. With the sellers codes it was pretty easy and only five bucks. But that's my only experience with Western Union.

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on March 10, 2013, 08:42 PM:

This may appall some but if I buy something from an apprently trustworthy US seller who doesn't accept Pay Pal, and it's not an enormous sum (e.g. $30), I can't be bothered to do anything other than get some $ bills from the PO and send them. In theory something could go wrong but in my case it never has, and if I had always gone to the expense of getting some sort of insurance, I would have spent so much extra over the years that it would have been cheaper to have the occasional envelope going astray!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 10, 2013, 08:59 PM:

I totally agree with Adrian. Whenever I buy from a private seller in the UK I send pounds sterling cash for anything up to $100.00. Never had a problem.

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on March 11, 2013, 06:54 AM:

PayPal all the way, never had a problem, it's instant and yes there is a charge, but you're paying for a service so I certianly don't begrudge it.

I used to send cash, only once did it not turn up, but I wouldn't now that I have a PayPal account. It's unusual to come across sellers that don't accept PayPal.

Mike [Cool]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on March 11, 2013, 07:07 AM:

I have sent US Doll in cash before now without a single problem.

Sending parcels within the UK is a nightmare using PARCEL FARCE and now use other means where possible.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 11, 2013, 01:48 PM:

quote:
Sending parcels within the UK is a nightmare using PARCEL FARCE and now use other means where possible.

PARCEL FARCE - aptly named, Lee.
[Smile]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 11, 2013, 02:25 PM:

paypal is certainly the best ...

... it is right away and if your a smart cookie, (and not paying for ebay but going directly), you send or recive your payments in the guise of "gift", that way, paypal doesn't take that somewhat enormous "bite" of your payment!

Along with that, you also have a "paper trail" in case a person tries to say you never sent or recived money.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on March 15, 2013, 10:37 PM:

Paypal. Safe fast easy.

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