Safest method to pay individual in France?
Discussion
Just wondered if anybody on here could recommend the safest method of paying a private individual for a watch purchase in France? Initially I was thinking straight forward bank transfer, but it seems there is no protection afforded to the buyer in case the goods don't materialise / are lost in transit.
The seller checks out fine, and I have a number of references for him. He has also sent me his address in Paris (as I was thinking of heading over there for a day and collecting in person), as well as a RIB showing IBAN, Swift code etc. He said he would use a combo of UPS/Parcel Pro to send the watch if I didn't collect in person.
I've done this in the past, 10+ years ago and barely gave it a second thought - the naivety of youth... and the items turned up fine. Older and wiser (read a lot more cautious now), I'm now interested to hear if there is a better/safer alternative? If I did collect in person, is there a way to pay him on the day in cash, as I'm guessing I'd be limited to how much I could withdraw from an ATM. Thoughts? Thanks BB
The seller checks out fine, and I have a number of references for him. He has also sent me his address in Paris (as I was thinking of heading over there for a day and collecting in person), as well as a RIB showing IBAN, Swift code etc. He said he would use a combo of UPS/Parcel Pro to send the watch if I didn't collect in person.
I've done this in the past, 10+ years ago and barely gave it a second thought - the naivety of youth... and the items turned up fine. Older and wiser (read a lot more cautious now), I'm now interested to hear if there is a better/safer alternative? If I did collect in person, is there a way to pay him on the day in cash, as I'm guessing I'd be limited to how much I could withdraw from an ATM. Thoughts? Thanks BB
bertberr said:
Just wondered if anybody on here could recommend the safest method of paying a private individual for a watch purchase in France? Initially I was thinking straight forward bank transfer, but it seems there is no protection afforded to the buyer in case the goods don't materialise / are lost in transit.
The seller checks out fine, and I have a number of references for him. He has also sent me his address in Paris (as I was thinking of heading over there for a day and collecting in person), as well as a RIB showing IBAN, Swift code etc. He said he would use a combo of UPS/Parcel Pro to send the watch if I didn't collect in person.
I've done this in the past, 10+ years ago and barely gave it a second thought - the naivety of youth... and the items turned up fine. Older and wiser (read a lot more cautious now), I'm now interested to hear if there is a better/safer alternative? If I did collect in person, is there a way to pay him on the day in cash, as I'm guessing I'd be limited to how much I could withdraw from an ATM. Thoughts? Thanks BB
Straight forward bank transfer in person when you collect the watch, has to be the best way.The seller checks out fine, and I have a number of references for him. He has also sent me his address in Paris (as I was thinking of heading over there for a day and collecting in person), as well as a RIB showing IBAN, Swift code etc. He said he would use a combo of UPS/Parcel Pro to send the watch if I didn't collect in person.
I've done this in the past, 10+ years ago and barely gave it a second thought - the naivety of youth... and the items turned up fine. Older and wiser (read a lot more cautious now), I'm now interested to hear if there is a better/safer alternative? If I did collect in person, is there a way to pay him on the day in cash, as I'm guessing I'd be limited to how much I could withdraw from an ATM. Thoughts? Thanks BB
CP12 said:
Straight forward bank transfer in person when you collect the watch, has to be the best way.
This - but not sure if UK to French bank account transfer is instant? I recently did UK to Portugal transfer and it didn't go through straight away.
Cash in person if not - assuming not very large sum involved?
Thanks for replies. Bank transfer between UK & French a/c's is, I understand, anything from 2-5 days, depending on banks etc.
Cash, I wouldn't be comfortable walking around with a large wad of folding, so I don't think this is an option, unless I could find a way to withdraw the cash when I'm there.
Cash, I wouldn't be comfortable walking around with a large wad of folding, so I don't think this is an option, unless I could find a way to withdraw the cash when I'm there.
If it's that much money, I wouldn't want to do a bank transfer and NOT have the goods in hand.
I've bought items privately before, and used PayPal outside of a secure website / FleaBay, and I was stung for €100 when the seller disappeared and I didn't get my goods. PayPal couldn't give a flying f
k to help me, and I even went to their offices....my office is less than 4 miles from theirs. In short, PayPal won't help the buyer if something goes wrong. Don't use this method.
OP: make the trip yourself.
Arrange with a local bank to give the seller the cash when you have the goods in hand, if you're uncomfortable carrying whatever amount it may be, but I'd still carry the cash and pay it myself, if I were you.
Using €200 notes you can carry a lot and it really wouldn't show with a money belt, etc., under clothes....
I've bought items privately before, and used PayPal outside of a secure website / FleaBay, and I was stung for €100 when the seller disappeared and I didn't get my goods. PayPal couldn't give a flying f
k to help me, and I even went to their offices....my office is less than 4 miles from theirs. In short, PayPal won't help the buyer if something goes wrong. Don't use this method.OP: make the trip yourself.
Arrange with a local bank to give the seller the cash when you have the goods in hand, if you're uncomfortable carrying whatever amount it may be, but I'd still carry the cash and pay it myself, if I were you.
Using €200 notes you can carry a lot and it really wouldn't show with a money belt, etc., under clothes....
The issue with a bank transfer on the day is that you ideally need to set up a Euro account in advance, even then, the odds of it being same day when crossing a border seems unlikely.
You could ask the vendor to list the watch on EBay and pay via PayPal adding in the extra required to cover his cost. That might offer more protection than a private electronic transaction?
But ultimately, you really need to get yourself a wodge of Euros, climb into the MG Midget and road trip it.
. It’ll make the watch far more special than having it sent in the post.
You could ask the vendor to list the watch on EBay and pay via PayPal adding in the extra required to cover his cost. That might offer more protection than a private electronic transaction?
But ultimately, you really need to get yourself a wodge of Euros, climb into the MG Midget and road trip it.
. It’ll make the watch far more special than having it sent in the post. Cash in person is your best bet but as mentioned above, legally speaking, if you're physically carrying more than € 10,000 on you it needs to be declared to customs
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10796-obligati...
If that isn't possible and you need to transfer, then use Transferwise.com (rather than your bank). Much much better exchange rate. I use it very regularly, excellent product
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/articles/a10796-obligati...
If that isn't possible and you need to transfer, then use Transferwise.com (rather than your bank). Much much better exchange rate. I use it very regularly, excellent product
Thanks for all the replies guys, gives me some more ideas to look into. It's 3500gbp so around 4000 euro, I didn't realise they did 200 euro notes, thought the biggest were 50... You can tell I don't travel much these days. May ask seller if he's OK with cash. If so, where would be the cheapest place to source euros from over here prior to leaving? I don't usually bother about exchange rates/fees etc when getting 200 euros worth, but for this I'm guessing there's some better options than the local post office.
Re cars, I think I'll take the daily, as I would rather like to get there without the help of a flat-bed.
Re cars, I think I'll take the daily, as I would rather like to get there without the help of a flat-bed.
[quote=breakfan]They also do €500 notes but people (including many businesses) are funny about accepting them
Ah the bin laden..
Yes £1m sterling in 50’s is roughly 20kg, equivalent in 500e notes is 2.5kg, I’m sure you can see why they would be popular!
I’ve had a couple and a show of the passport is necessary, and not ideal for filling up or buying lunch for 2.
200’s should be readily available, I prefer the 100’s, 4K will fit in a standard envelope, or travel wallet, and accepted everywhere.
Might be worth ringing around the local pawnshops/bureaus to see if you can get a better price for 4K cash.
Ah the bin laden..
Yes £1m sterling in 50’s is roughly 20kg, equivalent in 500e notes is 2.5kg, I’m sure you can see why they would be popular!
I’ve had a couple and a show of the passport is necessary, and not ideal for filling up or buying lunch for 2.
200’s should be readily available, I prefer the 100’s, 4K will fit in a standard envelope, or travel wallet, and accepted everywhere.
Might be worth ringing around the local pawnshops/bureaus to see if you can get a better price for 4K cash.
Another user of Transferwise here. Excellent service with very competitive rates and money usually in the recipient's account within a couple of hours or less subject to time of day instruction made.
Go there, inspect the watch and if satisfactory make payment using Transferwise's app.
Go there, inspect the watch and if satisfactory make payment using Transferwise's app.
Edited by recordman on Friday 15th February 11:25
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