Message posted by Dennis on 29 March 2010 at 4:09pm - IP Logged
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Dennis
Thanks everyone who added suggestions. I know Paypal is cheapest but it seems that my friend would have to go onto the internet, which he cannot do.
Although Paypal were very helpful with suggestions, at the end of the day he could not get his money without going onto the Internet to transfer it to his bank. I know he would not want other people to know his business by asking them to do it for him.
I thought the Paypal debit cards seemed interesting for UK based apartment owners with web-sites.
Moneygram is an alternative worth considering but it is expensive for the person sending the money. I have discovered that there are several places in Corfu where he can cash moneygrams. One called ACS Courier has an office in Roda which is better for him than Corfu town.
Dennis
Message posted by Denis O on 29 March 2010 at 6:21pm - IP Logged
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Treat any payments using Western Union as suspicious. It's the normal vehicle for the scam merchants and, as has been mentioned already, is banned by eBay because of it's reputation.
If a bank transfer is normal in Russia then why don't they want to use that method.
PayPal is cheapest. Where did that little piece of info come from. Have you tried transferring money from PayPal to a regualr bank account. 3% is the cost which is enormous in my view. It's fine if you run a PayPal account to buy and sell but don't consider transfers out as a cheap option.
I cannot substantiate this but I had heard that Greece will not accept money from Russia. Cyprus will and that's the normal method for getting money from Russia to Greece. This info came from a credible source but is not gospel.
Message posted by Dennis on 30 March 2010 at 9:07am - IP Logged
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Dennis
Denis O
I priced up Moneygram and to transfer 500 euros to Greece came out at 36euros which is about 7% so Paypal is cheap.
The guy in Russia has obviously been in touch with the Greek Embassy who told him that the apartment owner must send him a signed and sealed account on headed paper giving the reasons for the demand. But then they also told him that an email request would do ! How do you sign and seal an email ??
Dennis
Message posted by CC on 30 March 2010 at 10:01am - IP Logged
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You get what you pay for. The Western Union scam sounds extremely dodgy and if you'll forgive me, your friend sounds parsimonious or plain weird if he won't use the internet.
I have a holiday home in Colorado for which renters via vrbo.com (vacation rental by owner) send me deposits and final payment with Paypal. It's safe, fast and secure.
Paypal is easy to join and free to join, the transfer fee into your own bank acc. is something you just have to wear. The person on the other end has no access to this or any other info on you apart from your email address.
If the bloke in Russia refuses to use Paypal, then you can be sure it's a scam!
CC
Message posted by kinninviekid on 30 March 2010 at 11:52am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Denis O on 29 March 2010
PayPal is cheapest. Where did that little piece of info come from. Have you tried transferring money from PayPal to a regualr bank account. 3% is the cost which is enormous in my view. It's fine if you run a PayPal account to buy and sell but don't consider transfers out as a cheap option.
Paypal transfer money to your bank account for free as long as the amount is £50 or more (just did it 5 mins ago)
Below is direct from paypal site
Question :
What are the fees for adding and withdrawing funds?
Answer :
PayPal does not charge for adding funds to your PayPal account or withdrawing funds from your PayPal account to your UK bank account. However, bank fees may apply. Please contact your bank for details.
Note: if your attempt to withdraw funds fails, PayPal may charge a fee of 50p in the UK to cover the costs of the returned bank withdrawal
Message posted by Denis O on 30 March 2010 at 1:47pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by kinninviekid on 30 March 2010
Quote: Originally posted by Denis O on 29 March 2010
PayPal is cheapest. Where did that little piece of info come from. Have you tried transferring money from PayPal to a regualr bank account. 3% is the cost which is enormous in my view. It's fine if you run a PayPal account to buy and sell but don't consider transfers out as a cheap option.
Paypal transfer money to your bank account for free as long as the amount is £50 or more (just did it 5 mins ago)
Below is direct from paypal site
Question :
What are the fees for adding and withdrawing funds?
Answer :
PayPal does not charge for adding funds to your PayPal account or withdrawing funds from your PayPal account to your UK bank account. However, bank fees may apply. Please contact your bank for details.
Note: if your attempt to withdraw funds fails, PayPal may charge a fee of 50p in the UK to cover the costs of the returned bank withdrawal
I stand corrected.
Is this a recent change by PayPal, maybe to offset the exhorbitant eBay charges (10%). Certainly last year I was charged 3% to move £180 from my PayPal account to my Barclays account.
My PayPal account is little used so perhaps they don't charge if you have a reasonable balance or through put.
Message posted by Dennis on 01 April 2010 at 11:25am - IP Logged
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Dennis
I am surprised at the comment of CC re the Internet. I know many people in Corfu, and UK, who do not have computers and no doubt never will on expense grounds. They are NOT parsimonious or weird! Equally they would not have the know-how to visit an Internet cafe and use a computer. Certainly they wouldn't ask someone else to do their private banking business on-line for them.
Anyway it seems that the Western Union scams are aimed at SENDERS and it is safe to receive money. So that is an option. My friend's Russian guest has tried to make a Bank Transfer but it failed as they also need the full street address of the recipient's bank branch which I have now sent (numerous other transfers were successful over recent years with less detail).
Dennis
Message posted by Viv D on 01 April 2010 at 1:40pm - IP Logged
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My Husband has never used a computer in his job he does not need a computer, and would not have a clue how to log on and surf the internet - that is left up to me. He also does not know how to text anybody on a mobile phone does that make him extra Weird.
But ask him to grow flowers for you and he can win first prizes anytime.
Sorry I know it was a bit of subject but like Dennis took offence to the Comment by CC.
Viv
Message posted by CC on 01 April 2010 at 5:36pm - IP Logged
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I'm intrigued to know how your friend got a booking from Russia if it wasn't via internet?
Anyway, my point wasn't a bashing of those who don't wish to use the internet or have no use for it, Viv. However, in this day and age, if you want to run a business (like renting/advertising your holiday home) successfully, the internet is pretty much mandatory.
Message posted by tmb on 01 April 2010 at 5:54pm - IP Logged
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