Paying via bank transfer?

[tsodupe]

Hi guys!

Just have a question and want to get as many opinions on this as possible.

I'm looking to book a Liveaboard in raja ampat this January, and came across a very nice vessel called Kira Kira. I contacted through an agency (barefoot cruisers limited) who seem to have reputable reviews. I'm being asked to complete the deposit via bank transfer - is this common / safe?

 

[tridacna]

In the USA bank transfers cost $75 to $100 per transaction.

Depends on your bank and your status at the bank. Can be as low as $25 but you’ll only only know when you try!

Citibank Global Exec does not charge me anything for international wire transfers.

 

[Dan]

My bank charge me $20 for in US bank wire transfer & $45 for overseas bank wire transfer. A bit of a pain to go to my bank and do such wire transfer though. I definitely prefer paying it through credit card.

I know 2 dive travel agencies that don’t charge fee for paying through credit card. They absorb the 3-4% credit card fees by having less commission.

Paying their invoices is like buying stuff from Amazon.com. Tap on Buy Now button. And you are accumulating Frequent Flyer miles by paying the invoices through credit cards.

 

[BoltSnap]

A bit of a pain to go to my bank and do such wire transfer though.

You have to physically go to your bank to do this not through your bank's application through the internet ?

 

[Mod63]

Paying by bank transfers seem to be as common in Europe as paying by debit/credit cards is in the USA.
It seems that bank transfers in Europe are free.

In the USA, bank transfers are complicated by anti-terrorism laws. You need a ton of information about the recipient, including name, home address, bank account #, etc. In the USA bank transfers cost $75 to $100 per transaction.

I can only speak for Germany, but yes, bank transfers are popular. They are not always free of charge, it depends on the account pricing model you choose. It starts with your salary directly deposited into your account, then all the recurring payments are either withdrawn by direct debit (utilities, insurances etc.) or you have set up a recurring transfer (rent). If I buy something on the web, I usually authorise them to do a direct debit or if the merchant trusts me they send the goods with an invoice with I then pay by bank transfer.

 

[tridacna]

You have to physically go to your bank to do this not through your bank's application through the internet ?

I do mine on the net.

 

[Dan]

You have to physically go to your bank to do this not through your bank's application through the internet ?

Yes. My mobile banking was set up for online domestic wire transfers (with ABA routing number). Your question made me realize that I should be able to do the international wire transfers online too. So, I made a phone call to my bank today about adding the online option of international wire transfer (with Swift Code) feature into my mobile banking. After answering some security questions, they agreed to add that feature. So, now I can do online wire transfer to anywhere around the world.

 

[BoltSnap]

Yes. My mobile banking was set up for online domestic wire transfers (with ABA routing number). Your question made me realize that I should be able to do the international wire transfers online too. So, I made a phone call to my bank today about adding the online option of international wire transfer (with Swift Code) feature into my mobile banking. After answering some security questions, they agreed to add that feature. So, now I can do online wire transfer to anywhere around the world.

You should test this feature asap, you just have to send $5000.00 to my USD account. Once it is in my account safely, I'll send it back to you (eventually)