crepes_a_go_go

From another thread, I contacted beau-paris.com about an apartment rental that a poster "irish" had rented. I just received an email that the apt is available and that I need to send a deposit by western union, a check in euros or bank transfer. I have never paid for lodging any way but with a credit card. Unfortunately, I am ignorant of these other methods.

What information do I need to send payment by Western Union? Is that the best and/or least expensive way? Time is short. Just bought my ticket tonight to leave in 3 weeks. Yes, I know, I have obviously lost my mind! LOL

Thanks for the info.

ira

Hi crepes,

Directions on how to use Western Union are at http://www.westernunion.com/index_co...mp;language=en

Check with your bank about the cost of a bank transfer. Do they want it in E or $?

You might also ask the owner/agent if they will accept your check in USD for the deposit plus $15 and you will pay cash (from an ATM) when you arrive.

They then give you back your check.

Patrick

Another option is to ask if they will accept Travelers' Cheques in euro. While I normally don't use TC's, you can get these at a relatively harmless rate from AA or possibly your bank and no extra fee and send them. A lot less hassle and cost than money transfers.

crepes_a_go_go

Thanks for your replies, guys. The owner wants payments by Western Union, a check in Euros or a bank to bank money transfer. Because of my very short time frame, I guess it will have to be Western Union or bank transfer.

Ira, I will ask him about using a personal check in dollars plus $15 for the deposit. If the original poster "irish" would see this message, I could ask him exactly how he handled this.

Thanks again to you both.

Mara

crepes,
The apartments on beau-paris are individually owned. I stayed in another apt. owned by Philippe, the same landlord as Irish had. He did accept a US check in deposit.
But each owner has his/her own way of doing things. Evidently it is a big hassle to cash a US check and that is why most owners do not do it.
Sorry not to be more helpful but have a wonderful trip,
Mara

crepes_a_go_go

Mara,

Thanks for your response. I am not choosing the same apt as irish, but it is owned by Phillipe. Which apt did you use? I am curious about your experience - was the location good, apt clean and well furnished, how did you get the key, etc?

You can even email me directly if you'd like: [email protected].

Thanks!

susanna

I just wired money to France, for a different reason, but here is what I did and what I needed.

An account #, a routing #, the name on the account, and if possible, but not necessary,an address. I did this through my bank, it cost $40 (ouch), and the exchange rate wasn't very good, it is a higher rate for exchange that what you see published. I have done this a few times, I haven't found a way around it that's cheeper...hope this helps

grandmere

Crepes, you're going to France again soon--lucky you! Have fun!

Sue

suze

Crepes, 1st and most important~ congratulations on another trip!

not sure if this might be applicable but i have FedEx'd cashier check or money order to Mexico for apartment reservations. possibly you could do this if your bank could issuee a check in Euro?

Michel_Paris

Hi,
I have sent money often to France, although not for an appartment. What has always worked is a bank draft. Essentially it is the equivalnet of a money order, in Euros, but drawn on a french bank, which means my bank has an arrangement with the french bank (Societe General in Paris in my case) that they or any other bank branch, will honour the draft. It is the equivalent of cash, but much cheaper than a bank transfer. It costs me around $6 for the draft, plus whatever they ding you for on the exchange rate. If there is any problem, you can take back the draft from the destinator and cash it back home. Easy to do...never had anyone refuse or have a problem cashing it.
Bonne vacances!
Mike

clevelandbrown

I know one of the hassles about staying in apartments is that usually the owner does not qualify as a business, so they cannot use credit cards.

I notice on ebay that a lot of international transactions are handled through paypal, which does not require the recipient to be a business. I don't know what the transaction costs would be for the owner, but I wish apartment owners would start using paypal. Perhaps you could suggest paypal to the owner. Western Union and wire transfers are expensive, and I'm not sure my local bank would know how to handle an international bank draft.

clevelandbrown

I just noticed that the web site I use to monitor exchange rates.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

also offers a transfer service where you can send a wire transfer or a draft denominated in a foreign currency. They say their fees are very low, but I have never used this service so I don't know anything more about it.

crepes_a_go_go

What a pain in the rear! I am almost to the point of paying more and staying in a tiny hotel room than to pay these outrageous fees and poor exchange rates!

I agree with the poster about paypal. I did find one apt in the suburbs that accepted all payment by paypal. It is so super easy to use.

Thanks everybody for your input. I am going to sleep on it - or maybe I'll just stay awake all night thinking on it. I will need to make a move tomorrow since he emailed me the contract this afternoon.

opaldog

My sister-in-law is going to Paris for the first time today. She just booked an apartment 3 weeks ago from vacationinparis.com They are located in NJ and accept credit cards for everything. Look at their website. I have seen good things about them on this forum. It's so much easier to deal in dollars or credit cards.