posted on June 21, 2004 04:53:00 PM new
we have a customer from the United Kingdom (we are in the USA) that made a large purchase and wants to send the money using Western Union wire transfer. has anyone completed a transaction this way? and if so, is it hard to do and what needs to be done?
there are a few western union centers in my area and i am going down tomorrow to see what to do...but if anyone has done this and can share the details, i would appreciate it. i would just like to have some sort of idea what the process is so i don't feel dumb tomorrow when i talk to them.
posted on June 21, 2004 05:02:50 PM new
When you go in, bring a copy of the auction itself plus personal ID for you and anything else you have pertaining to the auction that's in writing.
I had this happen last winter for the first time, buyer was in France, nearest Western Union office was 30 miles down the mountains so it was rather inconvenient. I called first to be sure the transfer had gone through before driving down there. Got my money just fine.
The French buyer was rather snippy about it, said she does it all the time and what is your problem etc. I'd rather not have that again because of the inconvenience, but getting the money is always a plus, isn't it?!
___________________________________
As I've matured, I've learned . .
#2. . . that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the butt are permanent.
posted on June 21, 2004 05:07:46 PM new
Once the customer wires funds to you all you need to do is go to your local Western Union office to claim the payment.
You should have the Transaction number of the wire transfer (the customer should provide you with this) and depending on how anal the clerk is, the senders name, address, phone (have it, you never know) plus an ID attesting to your identity.
Your western union will cut you a check there for the amount sent which in 99.9 percent of locations they are also able to cash for you if you wish or you can deposit it.
It is expensive for the customer, but should be fee free to you.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on June 21, 2004 06:23:57 PM new
For me, it's been THE BEST WAY to handle overseas transactions. I pickup my Western Union Money Transfers where/when I shop for my groceries. It works especially well if your Winning Bidder has less than 10 feedbacks and/or you feel nervous about accepting overseas credit card payments! Go for it! Gordie
posted on June 21, 2004 06:29:47 PM new
Why not use Western Union Auction Payments? I recently sent payment for an auction to the UK and found it was cheaper for me and less trouble than a direct WU transfer and the seller got a check mailed to them in pounds. Seems to me it should work the other way as well.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on June 21, 2004 07:16:17 PM new
Either Western Union Auction Payments or Money Transfer are available but the former requires a credit card which many non North American buyers don't need or have (cash rules).
We have received a few Western Union Money Transfers and in our country even had the option of same day direct credit to our bank account (not available in US due to archaic banking system). Many more customers wish to pay by WU Auction Payments as we can ship on confirmation on WUs website. If they mail a regular money order, we have to wait until it arrives to verify it. Fortunately our main bank doesn't charge any fees to accept them and offers a decent exchange rate close to wholesale interbank ones.
posted on June 21, 2004 07:34:29 PM new
in well over 1000 auctions I've gotten one payment by western Union... Very simple. Safe. if you live in a civilized area (a city) you will have several within 2 miles.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. B. Franklin
posted on June 21, 2004 07:50:22 PM new
I once received one for $3000.00. I deposited it and it bounced. It took about a week for the bank to figure out what happened. The clerk that issued the money order wasn't aware that they are not valid for an amount of $2000.00. When I got the bad one back from the bank, I had to turn it in and they issued two money orders, one for 2G and the other for 1G. You stated this was a large order. If it's for more than 2G, be sure the person who issues it knows about this. It's been about 5 years ago, so they may have changed the limit amount since then.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 22, 2004 04:55:30 AM new
by the way,someone suggested you bring along ebay listing of your item.
It is really none of anyone 's business why and how you end up collecting money from western union,besides the listing has the seller and buyer ID and email address,whoopee doo-- how do they trace from seller id to your driver license or buyer id to the person who sent you money.
The less you tell them,the better off you are.
Do drug dealer/addict roll up their sleeves or show them a bag of white powder ??
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
