Sending payment to the US

Dustykitten

I am still quite new to MSE so sorry if this has been asked before, I have searched alot to try to find the answer.

We are going to the US this autumn and I have booked houses direct with the owners. We have paid for one via a money wire at Barclays as requested by the owners and this proved very expensive. I now need to pay the second house and am looking for a cheaper option. This one also requires a security deposit which will be sent back by cheque to don't want loads of fees. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I do have a paypal account but OH does not think that will help.

alison74

What do you deem as expensive with Barclay wire ?

And how much is the second house deposit ?


If you give a little more info, then I am sure more people will be able to help you.

And I am assuming that you have checked out if the booking is legit and not just transferred money across the pond ? I am not meaning to be negative, it's just not clear in your post.

blindman

Dustykitten wrote:

I am still quite new to MSE so sorry if this has been asked before, I have searched alot to try to find the answer.

We are going to the US this autumn and I have booked houses direct with the owners. We have paid for one via a money wire at Barclays as requested by the owners and this proved very expensive. I now need to pay the second house and am looking for a cheaper option. This one also requires a security deposit which will be sent back by cheque to don't want loads of fees. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I do have a paypal account but OH does not think that will help.

I posted this link in an old thread.

Easy to setup, takes about a week and is FREE.

Dustykitten

We have to pay for the accomodation upfront $750 and $250 deposit which will be refunded.

I have found both properties through sites where owners advertise their own properties - both big sites but you now have me worried, I will check out the details again:eek: I have had several emails with both families and they have been very helpful, I know sounds gulible.

Re Barclays I will have to look at the exact costing but it was in the region of £30 I think

alison74

I did not meant to get you worried, I am sure it's fine, but you just need to be careful when sending over $1000 !!

Have you explained to the house owners your 'concerns' about sending a large amount of money into an account abroad ?

I had to wire money to China earlier this year to a site that looked legit and panicked when I didn't hear from them (but money out my account) but it turned out to be fine.

I would look into the option that blindman is suggesting, seems good if you have the time.

Dustykitten

Blindman that looks great thanks - I looked at your old thread and VRBO is where we have found one of the villas so I guess you had a good experience with them. Wonder why the Barclays branch did not know about/suggest this service?

blindman

Dustykitten wrote:

Wonder why the Barclays branch did not know about/suggest this service?

Profit perhaps?

VRBO have been good to me, there are dangers of course, but I think the risk is small if you comminucate with owners, look on Tripadvisor for any forums for the area you are going to and Google the Villa name etc to see if there are any adverse reports.