Ebay purchase UK

[crsides]

I won an ebay auction in the UK. The seller accepts check, bank checks, P.O. money orders, but it must be in British pounds.

How do I go about this.


Charlie

[crsides]

I won an ebay auction in the UK. The seller accepts check, bank checks, P.O. money orders, but it must be in British pounds.

How do I go about this.


Charlie

[JMenard76]

Hey,


Just go to your bank and purchase a bank draft in British pounds. Banks usually charge a fee for this service and you'll have to pay for the conversion. You could always ask the seller if he would accept US dollars.

[pocwatjim]

Charlie,
You can get a International money order at the Post office and figure out the exchange rate vs. the pound and see if that is acceptable to him. Approx. 100 pounds = $175. If not you could your bank to see how to send pounds.

[Ray Fanchamps]

Good question,
I have made several overseas purchases and in recent times they have become more difficult or more expensive.
The Post Office no longer supplies M/O for the UK.
I could not find a local bank willing to do more than a direct deposit.
BidPay won't pay more than $700.
I ended up paying through the nose at Western Screwnion who bit the hand of the recipent too. Way too much trouble.
I know there are problems with Paypal, I personaly have yet to experience any. Use appropriate caution but the fees are less than any resource to the UK that I am aware of.
I even tried PP with a recent deal, I offered to pay the fee, no bite. We all ended up paying on that deal.
Credit cards or Paypal used with appropriate cautions seem to be the way to go.
I am speaking from my own recent experience, your mileage may vary.

[Sheila Gilbert]

Ray, I agree, I don't even look at auctions that are from the UK anymore, for just that reason. Sad, because many have some really good items.
I have even stopped anything that is not Paypal, it's so much easier that way.
I just paid via Western "Screwunion" too, and I won't be doing that again, not because of the extra charges, but because it was so difficult.

About your money issue, It's true, the post office doesn't do the International MO to the UK, so what you should do is really a mystery, I would write and ask the seller what they suggest. You can get the exchange rate and send that amount in US dollars in a regular money order maybe, my guess is that they will want the exchange rate for the money order too, but it will cost you here and there, so Good luck!

Sheila

[Sheila Gilbert]

I forgot to say that you CAN go to Western union site and in the lower right had corner is the link for the information on sending to the UK, but read it! It has tons of charges like Ray said. I listed $100.00 in the amount and it says it charges $20.00 to send it from my state, and it does not include any exchange rate or OTHER charges and they will take a part of it, and so will the UK. They list a number to call so maybe that will help.
Good luck!
Sheila

[crsides]

Thanks for the info.

I took the easy (I hope) way out and did Pay pal. Don't like credit cards and don't like them all over the internet, but not much choice.

Charlie

[wally waltham]

One way that I have used is to buy (in the "target" currency) and send Traveler's Checks. You must be willing to send in round amounts and this might make your purchase slightly more expensive depending on where the total ends up. :smile:
Just a thunk.
Timely regards,
ww

[Steven Mercer]

Wally

Nice "Thunk" !

I never thought of using Travelers Cheques.

Steve

[ljrusso]

I use pay-pal all the time and have not had a problem yet! Maybe just lucky but it seems to be ok. Maybe check the "inside scoop" from your credit card in terms of interent purchases and liability? I never did that myself.
I think a one time transaction will be ok.
Good luck

Louis

[Tom McIntyre]

I think PayPal only works if the seller is willing to accept payment via PayPal. :wink:

[ljrusso]

Thats a given! :wink: :wink:

[Sheila Gilbert]

Well, I have, so far, purchased 448 items on ebay and 99.99% have been Paypal payments and I have not had a problem yet.
One thing they advise is to change your password all the time, I didn't until lately, and now I do it a lot. I only do the direct payment most of the time, no credit card, cause I would take the thing throught the roof if I still used them. No way! been there, done that!

It's cash or nothing.

Anyway, Paypal has been good for me, just change the password all the time and then it is much safer.

Bless,
Sheila

[Dr. Jon]

I hav eused paypal and sent credit card authorizations. I ahve also sent cash a few times. At first I was nervous but I finally realized it was less risky than sending credit card info. If cash is stolen thats all you lose but if a theif gets your credit card it can get intersting depending on the fraud protection you have.

Most people will take US dollars in cash.

Travelors checks are not worth the cost but OK if free. Once signed you have no protection from loss. Sometimes the exchange rate is better and some banks do not charge for them.

For a large ticket item you can also do a bank Wire transfer. These typically cost $40.
However an American Express draft in a foreign currency costs $40 also so a wore transfer saves you the postage and you get a confirmation of receipt.

[Jon Miller]

If the seller is an established business with a good feedback profile that accepts credit card payments, I think that might be the way to go. Visa usually gets a slightly better exchange rate than you would on your own, and the transaction is secure if (1) you make a phone call and give your credit card number that way, or (2) break your number down and send it in three separate emails, so that anyone trolling for numbers will not get the whole thing. I have done this once or twice when buying a watch, but lots of times when buying books and other stuff. I've not had a problem with it.

Jon