Hi all,
I'm trying to send a bit of cash to a friend in NZ. I'm in WA, AU.
She says even if I do a direct deposit, they still charge her $15…I haven't sent money int'l before— is there any way to avoid the fees? Or, if not, what's the least expensive way to go?
Thanks in advance,
Int'l-n00b!
How much are you sending? If more than $2000, then use OzForex with this free transaction offer. However if less, then maybe PayPal, but they have pretty bad exchange rate + fee.
Not sure yet how much. It's a friend who's helping my daughter out with some of her studies & I want to give her something for her time (though she doesn't want me to). If it continues, it would be about $150NZ per month.
How does Paypal work when you're sending $? I've purchased with it- but not paid a person before. Wouldn't it still need to go from PP to her bank any way?
Cheers
Due to our New Zealand site, I have to PayPal the competition winners there every now and then. You just put in the email address of the recipient and the amount in whatever currency they are supporting. If you do not have that currency in your account (NZD for example) they will just do a conversion from your main currency. Often I have to spend more AUD than the NZD and then plus the transaction fee. For example earlier this month I spent AUD$50.69 to send NZD$50 :(
Would be better to one lump sum - then you could use oz forex and get a ripper rate. Monthly payments mean $15x12 and fee x 12. If you prefer monthly I would consider the Citibank or similar option as it is ongoing
If you want to go thru the waiting game of opening a new account.. maybe these guys - Fee-free international money transfers to any bank, anywhere. Tell her she needs a new bank to eliminate the $15 charge :)
I'm starting to think I ought to just mail the $, but that's a worry, too.
why don't you just give her a bulk $$$ when you visit your daughter in NZ?
She is helping via Skype— she in NZ, my daughter in AU, hence the issue…
The banks REALLY do have us all by the short ones, don't they? I remember the pitch for global internet years ago- "everything "at the speed of light" (which I chuckled at) & costs would drop!"…yeah, right.
Instead, it's all being adjusted to fleece the public as per normal.
Bstards!!!
Can't even participate in a bit of kindness w/o being strung up!
:(
I know NZ is another country and all, but it is plainly ridiculous that it is this hard/expensive to send money to a New Zullender - especially considering that Auckland Savings Bank is owned by Commonwealth, Bank of NZ is owned by NAB, ANZ is owned by ANZ and Westpac NZ is owned by Westpac!
See my comment ^^^
I'm getting creative now- I wonder if I could purchase a gift card for, say, a NZ grocer she uses & have them post it to her??
Anyone done something such as this?
That would negate the bank fee…
Maybe?
I'd open a citibank Plus account, post it to her, then deposit into that account each month.
And ensure Overdraft options are turned off !
$15? That's outrageous.
Paypal maybe cheaper, but I guess it depends on the amount. Hopefully someone with experience can help.