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seeker5 · 08-12-2008, 05:24 PM

I need to send some money to someone I know in Europe (France specifically). What's the best and safe way to do this? I've tried Western Union, however my friend wasn't able to pick it up. The computers at the western union agent in France couldn't find the tracking number nor my name. So I'm going to get my money back and try another method.

What's the best way to send money overseas safely? I'd rather not send it via an envelope.

Niki · 08-12-2008, 09:09 PM

Well the fastest and safest way to do it inside Europe is to use an international bank transfer, but I don't know if that's accessible from within America. Funny as it sounds, paypal seems like a good and plausible solution.

blackfm · 08-12-2008, 10:52 PM

Western union is always reliable.
maybe try again 2moro , the computers may work better.

most European banks offer internet banking to all their clients.
if you have the bank number of your buddy in France, get the Swiftcode of his bank or alternatively the IBAN number of his bank, walk into any US bank and you can send the money directly.

It may take longer than Western Union, if you want it faster, you may have to pay a little more commission.
hope info is helpful.

Apollia · 08-12-2008, 11:47 PM

Perhaps Second Life? Info on their virtual currency is here: Second Life | The Marketplace

Basically, all you'd have to do is get a free Second Life account, buy some virtual currency on the official LindeX currency exchange (probably using, alas, a credit card), get your friend to get a free Second Life account, then log into Second Life and send the money to your friend.

The easiest way for your friend to get the money out of Second Life would be by selling their "virtual" money on the official LindeX currency exchange and then having the money sent to them via PayPal. There are no fees on transactions within Second Life, only some fees when you exchange your "virtual" currency for real money.

It's a bit more complicated than just sending the money directly to your friend by PayPal, but if PayPal has any kind of fees on international transactions (I don't know if it does or not), that might be a good way to get around them - unless the fees charged by Second Life when you withdraw your money are actually higher than PayPal's fees.

Best wishes,
Apollia

Serguei · 08-13-2008, 01:37 AM

I used to send money from Canada to Russia through Western Union,but then I tried MoneyGram and found it reliable (and cheaper than WU,by the way

)

ZHereford · 08-13-2008, 01:45 AM

I believe you can send money through PayPal as well.

Gene · 08-13-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serguei

I used to send money from Canada to Russia through Western Union,but then I tried MoneyGram and found it reliable (and cheaper than WU,by the way

)

I have friends who use moneygram successfully. I use Xoom and have never had a problem. With xoom the money can be deposited in a bank account in many countries.

Michelle · 08-13-2008, 12:26 PM

Why not FedEx it? Fast and efficient, albeit a bit expensive.

JimOfferman · 08-13-2008, 07:35 PM

Bank wire transfer is the way to go... ask your friend to look up the IBAN/Swift code for his account (all European bank accounts have them).

All other methods are slower and less reliable.

jpmcgrew · 08-13-2008, 08:10 PM

It depends on how fast you need it there. If you have a few days, I would say Paypal.

08-12-2008, 05:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
seeker5 Family Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,606	Best way to send money from America to Europe? I need to send some money to someone I know in Europe (France specifically). What's the best and safe way to do this? I've tried Western Union, however my friend wasn't able to pick it up. The computers at the western union agent in France couldn't find the tracking number nor my name. So I'm going to get my money back and try another method. What's the best way to send money overseas safely? I'd rather not send it via an envelope.

08-12-2008, 11:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Apollia Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Posts: 323	Perhaps Second Life? Info on their virtual currency is here: Second Life \| The Marketplace Basically, all you'd have to do is get a free Second Life account, buy some virtual currency on the official LindeX currency exchange (probably using, alas, a credit card), get your friend to get a free Second Life account, then log into Second Life and send the money to your friend. The easiest way for your friend to get the money out of Second Life would be by selling their "virtual" money on the official LindeX currency exchange and then having the money sent to them via PayPal. There are no fees on transactions within Second Life, only some fees when you exchange your "virtual" currency for real money. It's a bit more complicated than just sending the money directly to your friend by PayPal, but if PayPal has any kind of fees on international transactions (I don't know if it does or not), that might be a good way to get around them - unless the fees charged by Second Life when you withdraw your money are actually higher than PayPal's fees. Best wishes, Apollia Last edited by Apollia; 08-12-2008 at 11:55 PM. Reason: Added a different informative link; added more details

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08-12-2008, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Niki Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 565	Well the fastest and safest way to do it inside Europe is to use an international bank transfer, but I don't know if that's accessible from within America. Funny as it sounds, paypal seems like a good and plausible solution.

08-12-2008, 10:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
blackfm Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 24	Western union is always reliable. maybe try again 2moro , the computers may work better. most European banks offer internet banking to all their clients. if you have the bank number of your buddy in France, get the Swiftcode of his bank or alternatively the IBAN number of his bank, walk into any US bank and you can send the money directly. It may take longer than Western Union, if you want it faster, you may have to pay a little more commission. hope info is helpful.

08-13-2008, 01:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Serguei Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 8	I used to send money from Canada to Russia through Western Union,but then I tried MoneyGram and found it reliable (and cheaper than WU,by the way )

08-13-2008, 01:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
ZHereford Family Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,090	I believe you can send money through PayPal as well.

08-13-2008, 12:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
Michelle Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,285	Why not FedEx it? Fast and efficient, albeit a bit expensive.

08-13-2008, 07:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
JimOfferman Family Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,823	Bank wire transfer is the way to go... ask your friend to look up the IBAN/Swift code for his account (all European bank accounts have them). All other methods are slower and less reliable.

08-13-2008, 08:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
jpmcgrew Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 100	It depends on how fast you need it there. If you have a few days, I would say Paypal.

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums