posted on January 23, 2001 04:15:18 PM
My buyer wishes to make an international wire transfer to my account and requested my bank account information... I realize that all the info is on every check I write, but I had a strange feeling...and it was Sunday, so I couldn't call my bank for advice. I suggested using my daughters account (with a 5.00 balance) and the buyer was offended that I did not trust. To top it off, the last 2 emails have had an email following with the same name and country, with viruses. BUT: This buyer has also called me personally 3 times and had excellent manners and was very business like.Very up and up. Anyone ever have a wire transfer request?
Is there any danger with this?
I think I have offended the buyer as I have not heard a word in a couple days. The last email, I suggested using an International Money Order. The end. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK!!!
posted on January 23, 2001 04:32:42 PM
Wire transfers are quite common overseas, and in some places like Germanyu, they are the common way to pay bills.
And PLEASE tell them that they have a computer virus, what it is and how to get risd of it ... it could be eating the files off their hard drive.
posted on January 23, 2001 04:42:22 PM
I DID tell them about the virus- and the titles of the diseased emails were "You Are Fat", the second one, " I AM SORRY"... and it seems like they have no clue what I am talking about.
What a mess.
posted on January 23, 2001 05:04:56 PM
Good point! My bank charges $17.50. Compiled with their fees, it would be cheaper to use a money order/ bank check... but they were worried it would get lost in the mail. Also, they did not seem to believe my bank would charge a fee. What a mess. I have never encountered a request for a wire transfer-I guess I should have just given my bank account info and eaten the fees...and been thankful.
posted on January 24, 2001 01:27:36 AM
Why not use PayPal, or Billpoint? As a international buyer, it is the simplest and cheapest way for me to make purchases.
posted on January 24, 2001 02:10:19 AM
Or, use BidPay. The cost is $5.00 for the buyer.
I would not give my bank account information to anyone I didn't know and do business with on a regular basis. The buyer should not be insulted. Were wire transfers offered in your TOS? What payment terms did you specify? They are expected to follow that.
Let me add:
If they were offended at using your daughter's account which has only $5 in it, then that is a CLUE. It should not matter to them what account it is, if you will accept it. Why should they care what the balance is?
Okay, two more CLUES:
They are worried about a money order getting lost in the mail. Why don't they send it registered?
They don't believe you that your bank charges fees? So, YOU are a liar? Is the cabbage calling the lettuce green? You should trust them, but they don't trust you?
Sorry, I'll stop now. It just galls me what people have to go through to make an honest living.
[ edited by misscandle on Jan 24, 2001 02:12 AM ]
[ edited by misscandle on Jan 24, 2001 02:16 AM ]
posted on January 24, 2001 07:48:51 AM
Like abacaxi mentioned, wire transfers are very common overseas, and not expensive. Here in the U.S. they aren't as common, and generally very expensive. That being said, they are safe, but not always practical.
posted on January 24, 2001 09:25:20 AM
I ship worldwide from Bangkok Thailand. Ninety per cent of my European sales are settled by wire transfer. It is a very common way of making payments there. Customers E-Mail me and ask me for my banking details and I send them. I also send the "Swift Code" to my bank which will guarantee the funds are delivered to my bank and my account the next day. Americans are generally not used to this form of payment since we depend on credit cards so much, but it's a preferred method in many countries. There should be no fees assessed by the receiving bank. Don't ever be afraid to give a buyer your bank account info. There is nothing they can do with it but wire money into your account. As well I do have probably 10% of my US buyers that wire funds to me.
