Re: OTish: Transferring money overseas

["David Buckley" <db@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Ali Watkins" <ukha@a...> wrote:
> You could do a SWIFT transfer (I think that's what its called)
> from your bank.  Its like international BACS. Lloyds TSB do
> them for free if you have an account.


We were recently the recipient of a Lloyds/TSB SWIFT ransfer.  The
Lloyds/TSB product was called the "Personal and Sole Traders
International Moneymover application".

Cost was either 42 or 46 quid.  This was to move a large wad of
wonga, I dont know if its a percentage or fixed charge.  However, I
thought this was quite cheap, having once been threatened with a 75
quid charge for moving a few hundred quid via SWIFT.

Another option is www.myus.com.  There business is providing a US
pseudo-presence for non-US residents.  They will write a US cheque,
and bung it in the mail, and charge your credit card.  As well as a
few other really useful things, but there is an annual charge, $120
IIRC.

But Western Union is the obvious choice.  Go into any area where
there are lots of immigrants working in the UK, sending money home
for the family, and you'll find two specialist shops - Western
Union, and a cheap international phone call booth place.  This is
very good business for both...