cybercat
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posted on November 6, 2000 09:36:57 AM new
What is the best way for an American to pay a UK seller? I know their banks charge a large fee for processing US personal checks. Is there an online payment service that would send payment in their currency at a charge to me? Or is there some instrument that I can purchase here and mail to them in their currency?
cybercat
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cybercat
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posted on November 6, 2000 09:37:37 AM new
Turning on email.
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lswanson
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posted on November 6, 2000 09:49:22 AM new
If it's small amounts of money, I just send cash. This is chancey at best, but I've had no problems with it.
Too, see if the buyer would accept a International Postal Money Order. I'm sure that USPS has an agreement with Britain. I've used this successfully for Canadian auctions.
No clue on electronic options such as BidPay or PayPal.
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zkatt
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posted on November 6, 2000 09:51:34 AM new
Most of my non U.S buyers use bidpay.
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stockticker
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posted on November 6, 2000 10:06:08 AM new
You can purchase a money order in pound sterling from your bank. The face of the money order will also show the name and address of a U.K. based bank.
The money order may be expensive to buy though.
Irene
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mballai
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posted on November 6, 2000 10:44:27 AM new
Cash seems best for orders up to about $25.00. Never had a problem...yet.
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teddybuyer
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posted on November 6, 2000 12:21:56 PM new
Hiya  I live in, and sell from the UK. I use a couple of different methods. I accept cash in £ or $ and heve never lost one yet (touch wood!). I accept personal cheques or Money Orders in any currency as my bank charges me the same for both if they are from a foreign bank. There is no advantage to me in buyers paying for an IMO in sterling - my costs are identical!! I pass on the $8 charge to my buyers on smaller value goods and swallow the cost in my Reserve on higher value items. If I plan to sell a lot of lower priced items at one time I accept Credit Cards through CCNow. This costs me 9% + the cost of banking the cheque from CCNow. The drawback with this is the long delay in getting paid.
The main thing is what type of payment did the seller ask for in their auction?
Always searching for Heffalumps
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DWest
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posted on November 6, 2000 12:41:01 PM new
I've been purchasing items from a seller in Wales and he accepts my personal check. He takes care of the conversion. The first time he asked for $5 additional to pay for the cost of conversion. Now he just requests payment for the cost of the item plus S/H. I've noticed that my checks post to my account in less than 10 days from the date I place the check in the mail.
The items I purchase from him are usually in the $200 - $300 range.
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teddybuyer
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posted on November 6, 2000 12:51:39 PM new
I certainly find personal cheques the easiest method, as long as I allow for the cost. They are usually in my bank within 10 days. The problem is that British banks all react differently to foreign cheques. Some take up to 1 month to deposit the money and some charge massive fees (a friend has to pay $20 per cheque, even if it is for $4.99) I chose my bank, The Halifax, specifically for it's low charges.
Always searching for Heffalumps
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cybercat
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posted on November 6, 2000 01:16:36 PM new
Thanks everyone. The seller says they ship internationally but they forgot to mention payment methods they accept in the auction--probably because he/she's fairly new--only 6 feedback. It's a fairly inexpensive item--about $30.00 (hopefully! bidding isn't over yet). Perhaps cash would be the best route--unless their bank charges to convert currency. Thing is, I'd like to purchase the item and have it here for a Christmas present--and I'd hate to have to wait for a check to clear plus 2 different postal systems to get it together. 
I was originally going to suggest billpoint to him/her because I recently paid an Australian seller with it. They had an "instant purchase" button on their auction. Now when I look at the billpoint faq--it looks like it is only for US and Canadian sellers. Must be the Australian had a US bank account.
My reason for asking here before I contacted the seller is because I didn't want to come across as one of those pushy bidders who is trying to re-write the TOS for the seller.
I think I just answered my own question--whatever the seller wants--I'll agree to if I bid and hope for the best. The item can always be a birthday present if it gets here late. Right now the item is at a much better price than the same item in worse condition from more local sellers.
Again, Thanks Everyone!
cybercat
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dman3
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posted on November 6, 2000 01:23:42 PM new
Bid Pay is high cost but easy. cash is easy but no protection. paypal and billpiont both will work as well.
WWW.dman-n-company.com
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stockticker
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posted on November 6, 2000 02:10:44 PM new
There is no advantage to using BidPay in this situation. BidPay would just mail out a U.S. dollar Western Union money order from New York. The benefit of BidPay is when a "foreigner" wishes to pay a U.S. seller.
Irene
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nanastuff
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posted on November 6, 2000 03:22:22 PM new
cybercat.....did you see the announcement on the Ebay Announcements Board that was posted yesterday? Something to consider.
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dman3
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posted on November 6, 2000 03:31:48 PM new
well one more thought here this way of paying your seller from the UK might be fun.
go to price line.com and get ticket to the UK convert some US $$ and fly back and mail there payment.
WWW.dman-n-company.com
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