Transfering money

[Stocky]

To get a topic started in this section.....

[Stocky]

Sorry pressed the wrong button.

We have for the past 6 years used Moneybooker to transfer our money.  Problems occur when they limit your amount for 90 days and one needs to replace a car that the insurance company seems to be ignoring.

We have had no problems with Moneybookers, the rates are reasonable but at present unpredictable, and the costs only 1.58€.  In view of needing more than my limit I set up an account in my wifes name.  1st problem is that Moneybooker does not allow two people to have the same receiving account.  2nd is that after setting up a savings account in my wifes name, CA do not seem to like it receiving money from outside sources, even though we had managed one successful transfer.  3rd is that with the new accounts CA went and changed the account number on the account.

Result is that we now have over 8.000€ in limbo with CA having rejected it and Moneybookers not having received it, where is it.

Problem is that the tax man now wants his money early, soon be in line with the UK.

It makes it very difficult in these times in transferring money.  Wait for a good exchange rate mixed with expected bills.  Plan for those then hope the bank doesn't pull the rug from under your feet at the wrong time.

Not a good time for us, still fighting the insurance company re the car accident in the UK.

[Bill]

Don't you just love banks - and currency exchange companies and all financial institutions come to that.

[Stocky]

With all this technology it should be quick and easy, yet it takes a week to get from the bank to Moneybookers, probably both hold on to it for use in hedgefunds, then, usually 2 or three days from Moneybooker to the French bank.  problem is that we know CA rejected it due to the account having been closed by them, but it has now been flowing around the banking network for 3 weeks.

[Kenny]

I'm still looking for a better, less expensive option.  We have found that from the UK the quickest but not cheapest approach is to send CA a British cheque, which is then usually in our French account within a week.  Whenever possible, we make full use of our NationWide debit card to withdraw cash in France (with no charge and what seems a reasonable exchange rate) and then deposit the money directly in to our local CA branch.   

[Bill]

We have a regular transfer from NatWest to Société Générale, which although not the cheapest (either £8 or £10, would have to check) is a lot less than many other banks, and we have always had a pretty reasonable exchange rate. It's painless though and, over the six or seven years we have been using it, has been dependable, which to me is well worth a few quid. However we may well change over to Currencies Direct which seems just as reliable and should save a bit of money.