Buying from Germany

[Woodie]

Hi all,

I won a bid on Ebay for some bits which come to about £50 including p&p. However, the seller wants money sent by bank transfer which I learnt today could cost me anywhere from £17.50 to £28 my end, with another charge at the receiving bank which kind of defeats the object. We're not talking rare or boutique stuff: LX brakes, shifters and rear mech with gold bits on 'em

Has anyone any suggestions of a cheaper way to get the cash over there? I'm going to suggest to the seller Paypal, and offer to pay anything he would incur in the price, but there must be alternatives

Thanks in advance

 

[cce]

the gold LX stuff is prett rare actually

maybe one of the german members here would let you paypal them the money, then BT it on?

 

[orange71]

I'm surprised the transfer is that much. There are threads on here from before about bank transfers to Germany - try a search. I think when I looked into it it was about £7 at either end.

 

[Woodie]

It gets better.
The guy I'm buying from has suggested sending the cash through the post!
I'm getting a bad feeling about this, despite him having good feedback reviously, which appears to all be in Germany.
Is there any reason why a vendor would have an issue about using Paypal?

Are there any forum users in Germany who would be willing to act as go-between and transfer the cash from me via Paypal?

 

[development_cycle]

had the same issue, luckily the guy was happy to let it go, but I didn't want it that bad. You really should check payment accepted before bidding.

I think that bank transfers are common place in Germany for buying and selling, but outside of the country it really doesn't work IMO.

I agree with the other post, try to find someone on here in Germany that will offer to help you out this time around.

 

[orange71]

other threads on this forum have indicated that they just don't like Paypal in Germany...

 

[gump]

yep, they no like Paypal. I don't like it either, but there are too many people in UK who do :evil:
Bank transfer costs me £10 to Euroland. Cash in recorded delivery is another option that people have used.
Whichever way, if someone wants to take your money and run, theres not a lot you can do :?

 

[JustKev]

I just won a tyre in Germany for 14 euros. Postage is 7 euros. Am going to take a chance and stick a 20 euro note in an envelope and post it with a copy of teh invoice.

The seller is a member here too I think!

Kev

 

[JeRkY]

I hit the same fees as you when i bought some forks, I think germans use bank transfer as their standard option, within germany its free and fast...sadly from the UK its slow and expensive.

 

[Woodie]

I'm looking at some companies online who do it for only a few euros. That might be the best option. It is typical that we have to pay through the nose for stuff like this in the UK