Sending money abroad

[Lonnie]

Hi, I had to send sixty dollars, about thirty four pounds fifty, to America by Money Order, that cost another fifteen pounds. Apart from paying straight into his bank account and sending a cheque was out of the question, is there a cheaper way of doing this, should the occasion arise again?. Thanks.

[dzug]

Paypal is one way.

Cash in an envelope (recorded delivery if you are worried) is another - probably the cheapest option..

Some banks (and I think Thomas Cook) will do a foreign currency cheque for less than �15, but the minimum is around �10.

I didn't know money orders still existed in the UK - where did you get it from?

[Lonnie]

Hi dzug, thanks for your answer, unfortunately, Paypal also wasn't an option, i'm with them, but the person in America wasn't, it'll teach me to read postings on ebay properly in future. I got the M.O fron LloydsTsb, but it has to be a main branch.

[Blyss]

You could try western union, they would get the monie quite quickly that way.
I know placing it there bank account takes 3 -5 working days .

[Lonnie]

Thanks Blyss, i'm not worried about the time element, your suggestion is noted, for future reference.

[Pinotage]

I've had to do this a couple of times and I just send the cash folded in a letter and with a non see through envelope. 3x $20 bills or a �50 and $10 wont be bulky. I haven't registered/recorded delivery because that just flags the envelope of maybe worth attention by the light fingered.

Had no problems so far - of course that is if you trust the recipient won't deny he received it.

[Lonnie]

Thanks Pinotage, yours is also noted and filed.