TimNYC

I need to send 400 euros to a chateau in Normandy for a recent trip. They don't have the ability to charge credit cards. Western Union charges 50usd and my bank charges 40 for a money transfer (this does not include the exchange charges). I was wondering if anyone had any experience/ideas on how to more reasonably send euros in the form of a check or money transfer. Thanks.

laurie_ann

When I have needed to make a deposit for a hotel or apartment or such, the proprieter has always gladly accepted travelers checks by mail. Fill in the pay to as the person or hotel (and not to "cash" and do not leave blank). Sign your name in both places and mail. If they don't get there timely, declare them lost to the travelers check company for a refund. At major banks (at least here in Chicago) or maybe also at an American Express or AAA office, Euro travelers checks are always available. These cost you only the 1% or so fee, or even free if you are a "preferred" customer or member. It's much less than the fee to wire transfer or send international money order and has always been reliable for me. Good luck!

mikemo

Frankly, I would avoid someone who wanted 400 Euro (no s) and did not take CC's.
M

TimNYC

Thanks Laurie. I'll look into the Amex Travelers checks denominated in Euros. To mikemo- many chateaus are unlike the Holiday Inn and are small family run affairs (I would hardly call some even a business).

flanneruk

Mikemo:

In English, the plural of Euro (the currency) is Euros. Other languages may have a different convention, but neither this board, nor day to day life in Ireland or the UK, are conducted in other languages.

kayd

When I had my bank send a check in Irish Punts (four years ago, pre-Euro) for our cottage rental, the fee was less than half what you were quoted for the wire transfer. Any bank that handles foreign currency probably has arrangements with European banks and should be able to do this for you. Good luck.

Bob_C

I had to do the same thing last year. I got a Bank Draft in Euros from Bank of America. They charged between $20 & $25 for the draft.

mikemo

TimNYC,
As flanneruk knows, my recent adventure at Hambleton Hall was a bit removed from Holiday Inn.
I get paranoid around "cash".
M

mari5

Interesting about the mention of the plural of Euro being Euros! We were told by a well versed source in Italy last year (In English) that the plural of euro is ALWAYS euro ! Now I am wondering for sure, and will do more research.....However does it really make much difference to anyone &gt????

mikemo

It is Euro!
M

mebanese

Doesn't really make any difference to me. After all, we say 'five cent' here in the deep South. Whether it's right or wrong, it spends the same.

On the official UK site for the euro (www.euro.gov.uk) it refers to multiple euro with and without the s:

"This leaflet provides a summary of the key issues for businesses dealing with euro and where to go for help and advice."

and on the same page:

"These case studies show how real firms have benefited from being able to trade in euros."

But it's not capitalized on their site.

To answer the OP's question - we had to pay a similar fee to wire a deposit on a flat. I'm wondering, though, if you could use PayPal.

xyz123

As I remember, officially from the European Central Bank the plural of Euro is supposed to be Euro but then it goes on to say something to the effect that in English speaking countries, it's okay to say Euros.

Many people in Ireland say Euro, some say Euros. It is irrelevent what they think in the UK as the UK has chosen, at least for the present, not to use Euro as its currency. Euro of course are taken in some parts of the UK as a courtesy to visitors from other parts of the continent but it is most assuredly not legal tender.

AnselmAdorne

This may be one of those cases where everyone can claim to be right. Here's what the European Commission English Translation Service Style Guide says in paragraph 12.12:

"The euro. Like 'pound', 'dollar' or any other currency name, the word 'euro' is normally written in lower case with no initial capital.

"Guidelines on the use of the euro, issued via the Secretariat-General, state that the plurals of both 'euro' and 'cent' are to be written without 's' in English. Do this when amending or referring to legal texts that themselves observe this rule. Elsewhere, and especially in documents intended for the general public, use the natural plural with 's' for both terms."

Anselm

mikemo

Sending mils and bils around the world, most use caps imhexp
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SiobhanP

Get a bank draft they are easy to get and less trouble. The problem with checks and money transfeers are that they do not clear quickly in european accounts. Its is a complete nightmare at times. I almost lost my bid on my current home due to the time it took U.S. checks to clear. Draft is the way togo and its cheaper.

MonicaRichards

I'd also push back and see if they will actually accept a credit card. I just had a villa in Italy tell me they could after all take credit cards once my bank transfer got lost in the ozone. I have no idea how long it's going to take me to get that money back....

Robert2533

An interesting discussion, but if what you want to do is to transfer funds (make a payment) to the chateau in Normandy, then you can go on-line and check out XE.com (http://www.xe.com/). They are a Canadian company specializing in funds transfers of all sizes which can be handled through the Bank of America's International Banking Branch in San Francisco where they have an account set up. They also sell foreign currencies if you need cash. Their fee for the funds transfer is extremely low and the exchange rate is the best available. We've used them several times this year to transfer funds without a problem. The transfer usually take less then a week.

You can call them if you have any questions on how to transfer funds and to set up you account (there is no charge for setting up the account). We've found that it is the best way to transfer funds and avoid the higher bank fees and horrible exchange rates offered by the banks and AE.

Robespierre

I've done a few transoceanic transactions by e-mailing a credit card as a guarantee, then paying cash when I got there. Tell the recipient you'd rather buy them a nice bottle of wine than give the transfer fee to a bank that's already rich enough.

Ann41

Sounds like you need a new bank--mine only charges $15 for international wires.

Do not send a check/cheque. I made that mistake the first time I moved to the UK, and brought half of our cash with us in a check from my bank made out in GBP. Even though it was in GBP, since it was drawn on a US bank, it took more than a month to clear. Big waste of time and money.

I'd use travelers checks. That's how I used to send GBPs to the UK before I discovered how easy and cheap it was to wire money.

BTW, flanneruk, it is "euro" in Ireland, not euros, as xyz has pointed out already.

ira

Hi Tim,

Several folks have recommended sending a check in dollars equivalent to the number of euro(s) and then getting the cash from an ATM after arrival.

The proprietor then gives you your check back.