Advice on best way to transfer money to Greek bank account

[DaisysMum]

Hi everyone

I need to transfer 100 euros as a deposit for accomodation  in Arillas in August, the appt owner has given me his bank details.  My bank (barclays) have told me that there will be a £25.00 charge for this, which I think is a bit steep.  Just wondered if anyone knew if there is a cheaper way for me to transfer the money.

Thanks
Becky

[Ivan]

Becky, I think a charge from your bank is prety standard. You could try someone like smart currency, though you'd probably be charged to transfer to them anyway.
Does the appt. owner use paypal?
                                     Ivan

[Janis]

Ooh Paypal - that's a good idea, Ivan!

I'd wondered if online banking would help - you know, setting them up as a new payment, but not sure whether it only works in the UK or not. 

I know I'd wanted to do a bank transfer once (in the UK) and the bank was going to charge some silly amount so I just went online and set up a new payment....

Is anyone going out to Arillas in the next couple of weeks?  Perhaps transferring the amount to them and they to pay the apartment owner? 

Janis x

[Eggy]

Becky

I don't think there is an easy way to do this , via UK Bank to Greek Bank. I also think that £25 charge would stand with any "Currency House" you use.
( The same for e100 as it would be for e10,000.

You have , and again it's "I think", two options.
a. Find someone here, or coming on holiday, to give him the e100 euros on your behalf and then transfer the equivalent , in sterling to his/hers UK account.
b. Ask the owner if he really wants a deposit. - You can after all give him proof you are coming over with Flight details etc.

My last time queing in a Bank took me 49 minutes. Not something I would wish on anyone. The last time we paid a deposit for an Appt was many many years ago and he took an English Cheque.

Cheers
Negg

[Eileen]

Hi Becky,

It would be easier to pay it into a U.K account and ask a forum going over soon to hand it in for you.  I'm not going over until mid-July otherwise I'd pay it.  

Eileenx

[Eileen]

OOPS...seems like we posted at the same time Neill. xxx

[Sandy x]

Going on Thursday.....will happily do this for you if you give me the details.

[DaisysMum]

Many thanks to all of you for your advice.  Hopefully (fingers crossed) have found a solution now thanks to Sandy's offer of help.

Becky

[Janis]

Result! Brillliant!  Well done Sandy x

Janis x

[iluvsangeorge]

An excellent result this time thanks to the helpful members of this Forum but this is always a difficult problem. The international transfer fees seem extortionate to me in these days of Internet technology.

For small amounts like £100 the Post Office Moneygram is cheaper than the High Street banks at £12 but the fees climb rapidly so it costs £25 to send £250.

Paypal would seem an alternative as long as the receiver has a Paypal account. Has anyone used Paypal for this purpose?

Dennis

[angiem]

When we bought the land , we had to transfer a quite considerable amount and was astonished and delighted to find the Halifax just charged a flat fee of £14 ( - 5 years ago). Obviously , for us, it was a great price but for small amounts, it's not that great!
Paypal may be the answer, but remember they will charge a fee as well.

angie

[GaryS]

Im not sure paypal will charge fees if you do a private transfer and call it money owed. I sell a lot of stuff on ebay and have in the past been able to send money without incuring charges this way. You can even choose the currency you want to send.

[Geoff]

I know the immediate problem has been solved - but I use HSBC Internet Banking to transfer money to my Greek bank, they charge a flat £9.00 fee for the transfer but the exchange rate is always higher than the High-Street rate (Post Office etc.) so it's a pretty good deal.

[Erja]

Paypal would seem an alternative as long as the receiver has a Paypal account. Has anyone used Paypal for this purpose?

I always pay my deposit to Brouklis via PayPal and have done so for the past three years.

But yes, the receiver needs to have a PayPal account.