Slightly off topic but has anyone used Western union?

BigCraigJohn

Sorry this is slightly off topic and not directly about a bank account, just the nearest.

Basically a friend of mine in Belgium(well he has bought off me in the past, actually came to my lock up and bought stock etc and we chat a few times a week online and by phone), wants me to go and purchase something for him then he'll come over in his van and collect it in a few weeks, its just the fact it wont wait and needs to be collected tomorrow and paid cash + he trusts me to check it over and make sure its what it should be.

He cant do Paypal as he is at his limit and we were looking at using Western Union. We realise there will be a fee and that, there is no trust issues between us.

Does anyone know how much he can send in 1 go?, ideally its £1600 and needs to be available to draw tomorrow morning, its bank holiday over there today so he cant do much today. I know there are all sorts of money laundering rules etc, I guess we were just hoping that within the EU some photo ID and proof of address etc would be enough. He will go in an actual branch and pay with cash. Also is it or can it be instant?, surely cash sent there is cleared immediately so therefore there should be no issues drawing elsewhere.

Thanks in advance.

maninthestreet

Does he want to send you then money BEFORE the purchase, or after? If it's the latter I would politely decline. It's up to him to work out all the issues with paying you by WU, not you. What is wrong with a bank transfer from his account to yours?

BigCraigJohn

He will transfer in advance and I collect and pay in cash. He's paying me to do it so its worth my while but ive known him 7 years and done numerous deals with each other.
Bank transfer will take a day or 2 to clear hence we are looking at this, its a room full of records, if they are not cleared tomorrow the seller has another buyer hence the urgency.

dalesrider

BigCraigJohn wrote: »

if they are not cleared tomorrow the seller has another buyer hence the urgency.

So you post on a internet forum instead of......

By Phone - Online Transactions Only
If you have questions about online transactions, please call one of the following:

• In the UK, call 0808 234 9168 (available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
• Outside the UK, call +32-(0)2 639 7103

Your post was over 1 hour after they opened and you would have had the answer ASAP....

BigCraigJohn

A nice 40p per minute call from a mobile.
Thanks for the useful answer though.

pmduk

there are several apps that will let you call 0808 numbers free.

dalesrider

BigCraigJohn wrote: »

A nice 40p per minute call from a mobile.
Thanks for the useful answer though.

Well as the issue is the person making the payment too you, they could find the info out....

Say no to 0870....

Or use the international number

020 7173 3381

Some mobile provider actually let you call Freephone for free as well.