International Bank Transfer

[jrr74]

Please move if not in the right forum.  Was wondering how safe international bank transfers are?  I live here in the US and it is for a sale in Germany.  I have never done an international bank transfer and I am just a little concern about what could go wrong.  Can you do a bank transfer using a credit card?  I am not sure if that is any better

Thank you

[nhal039]

I wouldnt do it. I am in nz and a bank tranfser to germany, i paid $25 nz for the transfer and it turned out the seller got taxed 40% of what i sent her. The german bank said it was because i sent the money without using her bic code.. however its impossible to send money without the bic code. The whole situation was crap, myself and they buyer suffered in taxes and fees. I instead would ask a german member for help with a transfer but send money online via paypal cause there fees are consistant

[jrr74]

Thank you for the warning nhal039.  I may just ask the seller to cancel my bid to save us both a headache. 

[lovesbabysquirmy]

It's actually perfectly safe, just very expensive!  I've noticed both parties get charged about $40 USD in fees. 

[Ringlets]

Its a very common thing to do pay and accept payment via bank transfers in mainland Europe. Its safe, but it can work out expensive as LBS and nhal039 mentioned if you'd like something from someone who only accepts bank transfers its probably cheaper if you ask a member here who is from their country to buy the item for you via Bank transfer ,  then you pay them via Paypal instead and they'll  ship it to you