Buying Online - Avoid Fees for Different Currency

MoneyMan01

I felt this was the best place to put this, feel free to move if not.

Looking for a bit of advise as I am looking to make an online purchase of an item on eBay that is based in the USA (on the USA eBay site), so it is in dollars - I'm based in the UK.

What is the best way to carry out the purchase to avoid any conversion fees?

Thanks in advance.

Sandtree

In general, use a card that doesn't charge conversion fees like a Starling debit card or one of the other credit/debit cards listed at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/ 

As its eBay however their payment system may give you no choice but to pay in GBP despite the item being listed in USD, haven't bought an item from the US since they moved from PayPal 

Remember that if the landed cost is over £135 to factor in the VAT, duty and clearance fees when deciding if its cost effective to buy from them.

MoneyMan01

It's actually an item that I am going to buy and then a friend of mine in the USA is going to pick up in person. Then they are bringing it over here with them.

Unfortunately the seller said it has to be bought on eBay rather than in person.

Good point on the change they made as the payment is all managed through them. I guess if I got one of those cards with no conversion fees, it would be a case of using that at checkout.

I've never actually done that though so can anyone comment whether the new eBay payment setup allows for you to enter a different card at checkout?

eskbanker

TheDarkKnight93 said:

It's actually an item that I am going to buy and then a friend of mine in the USA is going to pick up in person. Then they are bringing it over here with them.

Unfortunately the seller said it has to be bought on eBay rather than in person.

Can't your friend buy it on eBay while in the US and you reimburse them via whatever method works best for both of you (e.g. they'll presumably need £ if visiting these shores)?

eDicky

Not having done this for many years I'm not sure, but when you input your UK card details, eBay US are likely to offer you an exchange rate to pay in GBP. There may be a way to opt out, if you can find it.

MoneyMan01

Seems to be really complicated to actually try and do what I am after. The seller actually removed the delivery fee's but it still showed them for me my end (and customs fees that they say can fluctuate), so I'm not sure what I am trying to do is even possible unfortunately.

As eskbanker says, I think the only way would be for someone who is based in the States to purchase themselves through eBay and then reimburse them.