Pro tip: stop assuming everyone uses PayPal for international payments

I do house cleaning for a woman from Japan who comes here for work a few months each year. She tried to pay me through her bank's wire transfer system and it took 11 days to clear because I didn't realize her bank charged a fee on my end too. I lost $35 to fees on a $250 payment just because I never asked how she usually sends money. Now I always ask new international clients what payment apps they actually use back home. Anyone else get burned by hidden transfer fees like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

finleym375d ago

wait wait hold on... she lost $35 in FEES? on a $250 payment? that's like 14 percent gone just poof into the ether. i would've been so mad i'd probably call the bank and yell at some poor customer service person who didn't even set up the fee structure. i get that banks gotta make money somehow but that's just robbery with extra steps. and the worst part is you had no warning, no little popup saying "hey by the way your friend's bank is gonna take a cut." i use wise for international stuff now after getting hit with a surprise $20 fee sending money to a buddy in germany one time. still makes me mad thinking about it.

fionanguyen5d ago

oh man, i feel your pain on that one. i had a similar thing happen when i tried sending money to my cousin in mexico through my regular bank app. they hit me with a $28 fee on a $200 transfer and i was livid (like, actually pacing around my kitchen livid). what finally worked for me was switching to a service that shows you the total cost upfront before you confirm anything. i use remitly now and it tells you exactly what the fee is and the exchange rate, no surprises. it's not perfect but at least you can decide if it's worth it or shop around. honestly, the banking system makes it so hard to just send money to someone, it's ridiculous.

faithpatel5d ago

Banks are such garbage with that stuff. 14% gone just for the privilege of sending your own money somewhere. Every time I hear these stories it makes me grateful I don't deal with that nonsense at work, I see enough people getting ripped off by insurance companies. The whole surprise fee thing is the worst part, like they know you'd go somewhere else if they showed you upfront.