Help with EEC money transfer needed....

[DelP]

Hi folks,

I'm a little confused.....I need some bits for my VW campervan and the only place I can get them is Germany, through an on-line store. I've ordered the parts and the company sent me an email asking for payment in euros through the international bank transfer system to their bank account. They're a respected company so I won't question their reasons for having limited payment methods They also said that they would charge an extra 4% for payment through Paypal(which is what Paypal charges I think) but have not given their account details.

The total cost of parts and postage is 60 euros....checking my on-line bank blurb, they want to charge me £20 for the transfer ...then there's the exchange rate to consider

All my online payments to date have been quick and easy but I haven't come across this before.....perhaps it would be easier to pay the extra and use Paypal rather than give the bank any more of my money

Has anyone had experience of direct EEC bank transfers....?

Any advice appreciated

Derek

[DaveB]

Hi Matey

I've only had one experience of this and it turned out sour. However, the circumstances were different in that the transaction was the consequence of a failed ebay purchase made via email (outside of ebay's protection.. eg, not ebay email). The vendor contacted the other party saying 'more of the same' was available (it was also a German 'company' as it happens) so I added to his order. The vendor could only accept a bank transfer and there we were.. doomed. I can understand vendors from abroad requesting bank transfers as they have the money but neither he nor I got anything back.
As the company you are dealing with are openly advertising and are to all intents, bonafide.. I doubt you'll have the same problem. For your bank to charge £20.. that's more than annoying but probably par for the course. Bank's aren't in business to make friends are they

Funny you know.. I've seen loads of VW Campers come past the pub over the last few days.. in fact I had one in the car park this lunchtime and I wondered if yours was back OTR again

ATB

DaveB

[DelP]

Funny you know.. I've seen loads of VW Campers come past the pub over the last few days.. in fact I had one in the car park this lunchtime and I wondered if yours was back OTR again

It's a bank holiday weekend Dave, VDub vans migrate in herds

Mine's VOR getting some TLC

Thanks for that mate, unless anyone else pipes up I'll probably go the Paypal route...I've got a few days to think about it

ATB,

Derek

[airboatr]

ATB on the transaction Derek
I'm partial to the volkswagen, my dad owned two busses two bugs and a karmann ghia
which was the first car I steered at 7 I think , in 69, my brother pushed the peddles for me

[Rick Piper]

Hi Del

Sounds like Eastern Germany to me

I would not use anyone wanting that type of transfer as you have no comeback at all.
if they won't accept PayPal i would steer well clear.

Regards
Rick

[DelP]

Hi Rick,

After a bit more digging it seems that the international bank transfer system is common practice across the channel, their banks being a lot more customer friendly.

The problem is with UK banks who, even though the euro is legal tender, will charge an arm and a leg for the transaction

Paypal it is......

ATB,

Derek

[Garry Russell]

Banks like their arm and leg charges

I asked for a copy of a bank statement and they pointed out that the monthly sent one is automatic where as a copy means someone has to call it up and print it out

That is why the have to charge £50.

That is for any number of statements..................but just for one??

[airboatr]

I asked a banker what they do with all the arms and legs they get,
and the clerk handed me a photo

http://citypaper.net/blogs/clog/wp-cont ... 12/leg.jpg

[TSR2]

Hi mate,

I've done this a while ago, ordered my Canon 300D body from some guy in Germany. Bank charged me £15 at the time (think it was 2005?) all went through without incident, however, paypal does offer much more in the way of security.

[DaveB]

That's a coincidence! The order that never came was also for a 300D. They were advertising cheap memory too which is where I lost my money. The company would only accept a bankers transfer so Lee did that (he was buying the 300D kit) and cheerio.. that was the last he saw of his money and the goods never came. I couldn't let him foot the total so I gave him the money for the memory that never arrived. Ebay apparently had these folk flagged (we later found out) but because the transaction was done 'outside' ebay.. they said sorry but tough. Had it been paid by Paypal.. I think the outcome would have been more favourable but who knows.

ATB

DaveB