Cheapest way to transfer money to German bank account

Ickle_Steve

I need to pay a German seller using Money Transfer into his bank account. I have his bank details (IBAN number, etc.). The amount is only 90 EUROS but the cheapest transfer I can find is £20 via Barclays. Methods mentioned in other threads such as Moneygram/Postoffice and Moneybookers won't put money into bank accounts.
Does anybody know a bank or website that would do this cheaper than £20 for non account holders?

dippy-dora_2

Sounds very pricey!
I don't know the answer but will bump this for you - but I'm assuming his only overseas payment method was bank transfer and doesn't take paypal?

soolin

It is very common for German sellers to only take bank transfers and we get this question a lot. The answer I usually give is to shop around as different banks charge different amounts for the transfer, I was quoted £12 for a transfer last year but others on this list when I asked said they had only been charged between £5 and £7 by their bank.

If you have a second account with someone ask them for a quote as well, otherwise you may well be stuck with the £20 charge. One other word of warning, German sellers are very often quick to neg if you try and argue, for them bank transfers are fast and easy and they can't understand why we Brits make such a fuss about them.

Soo

Thefunkygibbons

As Soo said, they get shirtly real fast as it costs them nothing

I had a seller who refused cash and left me facing a £25 charge for a €7 item

In the end, I had a friend in France do it, and it is cheaper in Euroland

Ickle_Steve

Thanks all.
The sellers being very understanding and suggested sending cash. I'll probably send Euro notes using "International Signed For" and insured for that value cash. Bit risky, but if it's insured and signed for on delivery it should be OK.

JohalaReewi

Have a look around for TIPANET. Fixed charge is £8 and Germany is covered.
Smile do it for starters...

http://www.smile.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Smile/Page/smView&inifile=futuretense.ini&c=Page&cid=1027951510454

bleugh

send 90 euros in notes WELL CONCEALLED, wrapped in a few sheets of A4

put them in a standard envelope, tape the envelope and send it international signed for delivery at a cost of £4.80

Stuart_P

Ickle_Steve wrote:

Thanks all.
The sellers being very understanding and suggested sending cash. I'll probably send Euro notes using "International Signed For" and insured for that value cash. Bit risky, but if it's insured and signed for on delivery it should be OK.

if i were you - send it via royal mail 'airsure' rather than 'international signed for'

i'm pretty sure 'airsure' is the equiv of 'special delivery' & 'international signed for' is the equiv of 'recorded delivery' & so your cash would not be covered by 'international signed for'

i've used 'airsure' & you can track your packet right up to delivery in germany

royal mail airsure

stuart