Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Seedy Subjects! => Seed Exchange => Topic started by: Philippe on December 25, 2011, 04:40:25 PM

Title: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Philippe on December 25, 2011, 04:40:25 PM
Hi!

A question I adress first to french forumists here:
What's your preferate way to pay outside from France if you have already made it several times ( to particular person or plant association memberships)
I just don't get it with all the english terms/explanations which are given in the forms.
Payment by credit card/paypal is by far the easiest but unfortunately not always possible everytime, thus my question.

You can answer me through private message, in french, I think it's how I will understand best ;) Thank you very much!!


Happy Christmas  ;)
Philippe
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Maggi Young on December 25, 2011, 05:11:51 PM
Happy Christmas, Philippe   :)

We find paypal very useful, I must say, simple to send in any currency from our UK point of view.

Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Philippe on December 25, 2011, 05:32:47 PM
I know Maggi, I made the paypal-jump last fall, and was delighted by its simplicity!
But well, now I would like to pay V.Holubec, and also the NZAGS membership. Both don't use paypal.
I read of 30/40euros fees only (!) on a cheque to a foreign bank, whatever the amount of the cheque is. Went to my bank and was told 15euros only for this operation, but the person really didn't seem convinced of what she said, and concrete informations are only difficult if not impossible to be found on the web it seems. I can't imagine that a czech or new zealand bank won't take any further added fees on a french cheque, as this operation might be very rare and complicated for them!
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 25, 2011, 05:47:00 PM
I believe you might be able to transfer money from your bank directly to Holubec's bank Phillipe? This seems normal for German banks.
I find it easiest to send cash otherwise.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Maggi Young on December 25, 2011, 05:53:38 PM
What might be useful is a network of forumists in different countries willing to make payments for you, and you could then pay them with paypal.  :)

I make some payments in the UK for a German friend and then he pays me by paypal.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 25, 2011, 06:03:39 PM
I do this too Maggie, and I have German clients in England, who occasionally transfer money for me, for example to Czech Republic. This is free from German banks. There are other internet services besides Paypal. Often it is easiest to post cash though!
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Tony Willis on December 25, 2011, 07:08:45 PM
I will try a helpful answer before the usual ranting unneeded  posts about banks appear.

First of all it is usually illegal to send cash by [post.

Usually there are two ways of doing it through the bank

1 a bank to bank transfer either by same day transfer or one that takes a few days. The person making the transfer can opt to pay either all or just their own charges and in the latter case a charge will be levied by the receiving bank. Both are horribly expensive.About £25 in the UK

2 In countries outside the Euro request a euro cheque from the bank to send by post. The bank issuing the cheque makes a charge and the one cashing it does also. This is cheaper than the first option but still expensive.

3 For non Euro countries a cheque (draft) can be requested in the currency of the person receiving it to send by post. Again there are charges at both ends.I think this can be done in most countries.

4 Countries within the Euro can send a euro cheque  and the person receiving it will usually pay charges for cashing it.

Basically if you cannot use Paypal and have to use your bank in the UK it is not economical unless the order is large enough to make the bank charges worthwhile.



Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 25, 2011, 07:24:20 PM
Unless you have access to a German (European ?) bank when it is free Tony! Anyway I think Phillippe is in France. I did look into sending cash from the UK to Europe in some detail last year, It is leagal and cheaper than the bank fees (including the insurance from the Post Office in the UK) but they wouldn't insure cash to certain countries including Czech republic. I'm not sure that sending Cash there is illeagal- just uninsured!
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Tony Willis on December 25, 2011, 07:35:53 PM
Peter no it not illegal to send it but it is illegal in many countries and so once it crosses their border it is an offence.

www.postoffice.co.uk/letters-parcels/mailing-guide/sending-cash
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 25, 2011, 08:05:09 PM
Fair enough Tony,
hope this link works, I did a sample calculation to transfer £50.00 to the Czech Rep from a UK Visa account. The fees are £1.57 no doubt most UK visa cards would have an additional pound or two in charges.
I have never used this service -either cash or a German Bank transfer works for me.
https://www.moneybookers.com/p2p/en/calculator/fees.pl
suggest you click on "break down of transfer costs"
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 25, 2011, 09:34:16 PM
Philippe, if you will send me your address, I will happily pay a sub to NZAGS for you. Call is a Christmas present. Their year starts in April so I can arrange for it to go through to the end of March 2013.

I have similar problems with seed from the Eastern European collectors' lists. Banks here, no matter that I give them account details, tell me such transfers to some countries are just not possible. It's why I have so far not bought seed from Holubec, Pavelka, Jurasek et al.

As a system, Paypal is virtually unknown in New Zealand. I had a lot of work to do when Anne W and I had a small arrangement going. Worked in the end though.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 25, 2011, 09:45:49 PM
Pavelka accepted a cheque in UK Pounds from me this year, which was duely cashed. No extortionate charges occured.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Neil on December 25, 2011, 09:47:32 PM
I use http://www.travelex.co.uk/uk/send-money-now.aspx  only 99p per transaction if you can wait 5 days for it to go into the recivers account.  Don't know if the french site has the facility or not
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Lvandelft on December 25, 2011, 10:05:32 PM
For payment into European countries I mostly do this by Internet banking with a SEPA payment.
Normal charges like inland payments, so nothing extra. The only thing you have to do is asking  the recipients for their IBAN number and BIC code. These numbers are available for every Bank Account number in Europe. They will find these numbers at their own Bank Site when they use Internet Banking and Log-in.
When I have to pay in foreign currency, I pay the amount (from Holland) in Euro’s and use a currency converter.
For instance I have to pay Sterling 35.- I would have to pay at the moment € 41.85. If this amount is for a club I might pay a little more ? € 43.- so that the recipient will receive the amount of 35.- in Sterling. When I would pay in the currency of the recipient I would have to pay extra costs. But in this way it is free.
Just look on your own Bank pages about payment to foreign countries.
Here is a link to SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area)
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/payments/sepa/ (http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/payments/sepa/)
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: bulborum on December 26, 2011, 07:38:49 AM
As far as I know in France just with BNP it is possible to wire money electronicly at home
You log in to BNP and apply the bank-transfer to a certain person wit all the information they ask
A few days later they create the possibility to wire at home just to that person
I don't know the cost
Gemma is doing this but I can ask

Roland
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: ashley on December 26, 2011, 09:57:04 AM
For payment into European countries I mostly do this by Internet banking with a SEPA payment.
Normal charges like inland payments, so nothing extra. The only thing you have to do is asking  the recipients for their IBAN number and BIC code. These numbers are available for every Bank Account number in Europe. They will find these numbers at their own Bank Site when they use Internet Banking and Log-in.

Yes transfers using IBAN & BIC codes (a so-called SWIFT transaction) are very efficient and cheap (less than €1 here in Ireland if I remember correctly) for small amounts within the Euro area, and so easy via online banking.  However SWIFT payments can also be made to other countries I think, and allow you to pre-pay any charge arising at the payee's bank.  If a credit card can't be used for payments to the UK then I usually find cash (€/£) the easiest.  
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 26, 2011, 10:34:50 AM
Maggie, this was all discussed some time ago, Perhaps you could find the page?
anyway Phillipe asked for some simple advice in French
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Maggi Young on December 26, 2011, 11:44:06 AM
This subject has been visited often... here are just some of the posts.....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1125.msg25734#msg25734

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=947.msg25721#msg25721
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=947.msg25722#msg25722
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=947.msg25728#msg25728

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7698.msg212135#msg212135

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=49.msg24863#msg24863

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=301.msg8164#msg8164

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12.msg29713#msg29713


http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6279.msg178822;topicseen#msg178822

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2553.msg58085;topicseen#msg58085

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4710.0

 :o ;)

None are in French... yet...... :)
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: PeterT on December 26, 2011, 01:31:54 PM
Thankyou Maggie  :-*
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: John85 on December 26, 2011, 04:50:40 PM
Philippe,why don't you use un mandat postal international.Ask your post office for the charges as I don't find them on the site of la poste.fr
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Hoy on December 27, 2011, 10:41:48 AM
Philippe, if you will send me your address, I will happily pay a sub to NZAGS for you. Call is a Christmas present. Their year starts in April so I can arrange for it to go through to the end of March 2013.

I have similar problems with seed from the Eastern European collectors' lists. Banks here, no matter that I give them account details, tell me such transfers to some countries are just not possible. It's why I have so far not bought seed from Holubec, Pavelka, Jurasek et al.

As a system, Paypal is virtually unknown in New Zealand. I had a lot of work to do when Anne W and I had a small arrangement going. Worked in the end though.

Lesley, I have decided to join NZAGS too. Do you know if they have a IBAN and BIC code as described by Lvandelft. It is the easier way for me to pay ;)
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 27, 2011, 08:57:24 PM
I know there are NZAGS lurkers on the Forum, based in Christchurch where everything to do with the society happens, so maybe someone will become visible and answer your question Trond. In the meantime, I'll write to the Treasurer and ask how other overseas members pay their subs.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: arillady on December 28, 2011, 09:36:40 AM
Lesley a website search says NZ dollars or Visa/Mastercard payments for overseas members of NZAGS.
Recently I did a transfer to my daughter in London using my Australian bank's international internet transfer. Australia $20 fee - not the best unless you are sending quite a bit.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Maggi Young on December 28, 2011, 10:17:01 AM
I have this message from Adrian of NZAGS :
"Hi Maggie,
We have been alerted that there has been some discussion on the Forum re payment of subs to the NZAGS.
To clarify.
We accept both Visa and Master Card credit cards. (Most overseas members pay by this method)
With this method of payment there is no cost to the member.
Bank drafts are also accepted,but this has a cost.
Hope this helps,
Kind Regards,
Adrian Bliss.
NZAGS."

They do not have an online facility to join so here are the details needed: (This from the NZAGS website)

To join the NZAG Society, please send your cheque or credit card details to:

    The Secretary,
    PO Box 2984
    Christchurch 8140
    New Zealand.

Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted.

Current annual Membership subscriptions are:

    NZ$33 Single
    NZ$33 Family/Double
    NZ$31 Age 65 and Over
    NZ$38 Overseas

Overseas subscriptions are payable in NZ$ to the order of the New Zealand Alpine Garden Society (Inc).

Gift Subscriptions are available if you include the recipient’s name and address as well as your own.


Hope this helps!

 Edit 8th May 2012   Adrian informs us that NZAGS now have the ability to accept overseas subscriptions via PayPal : see  http://www.nzags.com/node/5 (http://www.nzags.com/node/5)
 
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Hoy on December 28, 2011, 05:33:05 PM
OK, thanks Maggi.
Think I can manage that now!
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 28, 2011, 09:21:46 PM
Thanks Maggi, and to Adrian too. It's avoiding all the bank costs that sometimes makes it difficult. Or, as from NZ I couldn't get a bank to recognize that the Czech Republic had any way to receive money from here at all. Crazy. On the other hand, I can send a personal cheque to Australia, adding enough to cover our lower dollar value, and there are no costs at all at either end. The only problem is that it takes A MONTH for it to clear at the other end.
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Jean-Patrick AGIER on December 28, 2011, 09:26:47 PM
Hi Pilippe
( Bonjour Philippe ),
There's an opportunity to pay out of the Paypal system. I personnally do not trust enough the sites ( even when they're "secured" ) and refuse to give my credit card number on the internet. I'll send you a PM.
JP
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Hoy on December 28, 2011, 10:48:16 PM
Thanks Maggi, and to Adrian too. It's avoiding all the bank costs that sometimes makes it difficult. Or, as from NZ I couldn't get a bank to recognize that the Czech Republic had any way to receive money from here at all. Crazy. On the other hand, I can send a personal cheque to Australia, adding enough to cover our lower dollar value, and there are no costs at all at either end. The only problem is that it takes A MONTH for it to clear at the other end.
Why can't you all use the IBAN - BIC codes ??? ::)

When I use it I can relax in my sofa and do all from my Mac :o
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: bulborum on December 28, 2011, 10:56:11 PM
As far as I know in France just with BNP it is possible to wire money electronicly at home
You log in to BNP and apply the bank-transfer to a certain person wit all the information they ask
A few days later they create the possibility to wire at home just to that person
I don't know the cost
Gemma is doing this but I can ask

Roland

Hoy

as far as I know just BNP is doing on-line banking in France
see above

Roland
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Neil on December 29, 2011, 09:30:58 AM

Why can't you all use the IBAN - BIC codes ??? ::)

When I use it I can relax in my sofa and do all from my Mac :o

If I did it this way it would cost me £25 through my bank
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Maren on December 29, 2011, 10:35:34 AM
I pay my subs to the Irish Orchid Society in kind, erhm, pleiones - a swap with a very kind member of the IOS. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Maggi Young on May 08, 2012, 10:47:24 AM
Folks, an update to this post :  Payments to foreign countries
« Reply #23 on: December 28, 2011, 10:17:01

Adrian tells me that NZAGS now has the ability to accept overseas subscriptions via PayPal.
Pay Pal is now up and running.
Payment of subs willingly accepted see :
http://www.nzags.com/node/5 (http://www.nzags.com/node/5)
Title: Re: Payments to foreign countries
Post by: Brian Ellis on May 08, 2012, 12:56:13 PM
I pay my subs to the Irish Orchid Society in kind, erhm, pleiones - a swap with a very kind member of the IOS. ;D ;D ;D

How very sensible Maren 8)
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