Transferring money abroad

[siadwell]

I need to transfer about £100 to an Italian bank account. My bank (Nationwide) wants to charge me £25 to do a SWIFT transfer.

There seem to be a number of specialist companies offering to do similar for much less, such as Global Web Pay, Travelex and Moneybookers. Does anyone have any experience of the reliability and trustworthiness of such companies?

 

[Hacienda71]

I know my wife uses one of them, but I can't remember which one. I will ask her when she gets in. Don't think she has had any problems with using them.

 

[Archie_tect]

If Paypal works that would be excellent, how do you find out?

 

[Globalti]

You need to get locked in to the local Italian Halawa system: Cheap informal money transfers

Try asking an Italian how they send money back to their relatives.

 

[Archie_tect]

Have to check to see if my son can use paypal to transfer money in jakarta... thanks TMC!

 

[Falwheeler]

You can send a Moneygram from any Post Office, you have to pay cash and there is a fee but the money will be there in ten minutes https://www.moneygram.com/MGI/EN/GB/Send/Send.htm?CC=GB&LC=EN

 

[quassleberry]

Post office also has a service to transfer money direct (separate from the Moneygram service) but you need to register.
Forms in branches or could be available on the website www.postoffice.co.uk
My colleagues use it themselves

 

[killiekosmos]

If you have the IBAN code for the recipient you can send funds electronically from your bank account (at least RBS / NatWest do this). It costs £9.95 but the exchange rate is piss poor (1.07 at present). If you know someone with such an account you could give then sterling equivalent and get them to transfer for you.

 

[gb155]

Western Union ?