Money Transfer

[Bearbait1]

I have been trying to wire money to an outfitter in Namibia and having problems. My Credit Union sent the money using Western Union but it came back as undeliverable. Windhoek bank said Western union does not work there and it needs to be done through a SWIFT transaction. My Credit Union doesn’t seem to be able to do this. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have a solution?

Thanks

 

[BnC 04]

We have done several international wires via our local credit union and bank. Ask your Cedit union for the wire transfer form and then get the required info from your outfitter. Its easy as long as all required info is inhand and you have a personal that has done internation wires in the past.

 

[Bearbait1]

I have all the info they need but they seem to only transfer through Western Union and it doesnt seem to work.

 

[WAB]

You need to use an international wire transfer. It sounds like you may have to find another bank.

 

[TucsonFX4]

I have been trying to wire money to an outfitter in Namibia and having problems. My Credit Union sent the money using Western Union but it came back as undeliverable. Windhoek bank said Western union does not work there and it needs to be done through a SWIFT transaction. My Credit Union doesn’t seem to be able to do this. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have a solution?

Thanks

Is you bank affiliated with Russia?



*just kidding

 

[R.M.C.]

Probably need a different bank, mine is totally clueless about wires and ordering foreign currency

 

[375Fox]

Not every bank will do an international wire. I use one local bank and one larger bank. The local bank can do it, but actually pays the larger bank to conduct the transaction.

 

[375Fox]

Probably need a different bank, mine is totally clueless about wires and ordering foreign currency

Both banks I use are very unfamiliar with sending an international wire, but both always find a step by step set of instructions and have always managed to get it sent. I’m sure it’s a much more common transaction in cities.

 

[Tanks]

Credit unions for the most part don't do SWIFT transfers directly. If they have an arrangement then they can use an intermediary bank.

 

[wesheltonj]

Does your Credit Union have a relationship with a "Correspondent Bank"? If so, they maybe able to to send the "wire." Otherwise, you might try https://www.xe.com

 

[Nevada Wapati]

I had this problem with my first hunt ended up having my uncle wire the money to the outfitter and just paying my uncle.
After that I switched to a full service bank that could handle this simple task.

 

[Hogpatrol]

As above, go to a bank that advertises international wire transfers.

 

[sierraone]

As mentioned don't use a Credit Union. Use a large bank such as Bank of America. You can't do this at a window, you have to set down with a banker. Or use Paypal as long as your outfitter uses it. I know some don''t like it because you can't buy guns. But that is not an issue as long as you are not buying guns. On my last hunt I sent my outfitter $500 a month on Paypal for eight months, when I arrived the hunt was paid for. I used a credit card when I left for the tags for the animals I shot. I have used Paypal for about 15 years. And Bank of America for about 22 years.

 

[Graham Hunter]

In Canada any Credit Union can do Swift Transfers. US Credit Union are different.

 

[Buffalo1]

Credit unions and banks are two different animals. You need a reputable bank that does SWIFT transfers. My last couple of experience with SWIFT accounts have been very "Swuff." Much faster than it was a couple years ago.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have been trying to wire money to an outfitter in Namibia and having problems. My Credit Union sent the money using Western Union but it came back as undeliverable. Windhoek bank said Western union does not work there and it needs to be done through a SWIFT transaction. My Credit Union doesn’t seem to be able to do this. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have a solution?

Thanks

Bearbait
I am sorry for your troubles. You need to bank with a local bank and not a credit union. When I walk in my bank and have an issue I can go right into the presidents office and voice my concern. You cant do this in big banks.
There is no reason they should use Western Union to wire your money. This is wild incompetence and you should run, not walk to a new bank.
Again I am sorry for your troubles.
Philip

 

[sierraone]

Bearbait
I am sorry for your troubles. You need to bank with a local bank and not a credit union. When I walk in my bank and have an issue I can go right into the presidents office and voice my concern. You cant do this in big banks.
There is no reason they should use Western Union to wire your money. This is wild incompetence and you should run, not walk to a new bank.
Again I am sorry for your troubles.
Philip

I made an effort to send $2000 from Athens Greece to Arkansas through a Western Union about 20-21 years ago. They were going to charge me so much for their fee, I put my money back in my pocket and just held on to it until I flew back home on leave. Never again will I go into a Western Union.

 

[Bearbait1]

Thanks for the ideas. I am going to have a relative send it through a proper bank.

 

[375Fox]

I think you got your answer, so I’ll add this if you haven’t thought of already. Your credit union will probably be unable to get you local currency, you may want to make a plan to get a couple hundred dollars worth. Namibia’s currency is tied to South African rand, so I think it’s better to get rand. Do you have a credit card with zero foreign transaction fees? Most credit cards are 3% foreign transaction fee, you need to look for a travel card with zero fees or the 3% can really add up.

 

[fourfive8]

Agree with others who have posted about using a bank. One of my banks is regional and not considered large by any measure. The other is very large and obviously knows international wires. I have done several International wires to a couple different countries over the past few years using both banks. And yes, the smaller banks may use an intermediary for the transaction. I just ask the bank rep doing the transaction to figure or inquire about the final amount that will transfer as close as possible to the target amount, say $2000 +/- a few USD or in whatever currency is required. It may never be exact because the exchange rates are constantly changing and may well change during the time of the transaction... but it should be close enough for practical purposes. They usually require the destination account number with the account holders particulars like phone and address. They usually also require the destination bank's address and contact person's phone number. More recently they have been requiring a statement of what the money will be used for- probably part of the Patriot Act or some similar anti-drug/anti-terrorism/anti-money laundering something or other? The intermediary will usually require a Swift code in addition to the bank routing number. My banks have been charging about $40 per transaction.

Occasionally a teller or rep will be clueless about international wire procedure, so politely ask for them to check with their supervisors or officers in the bank who know the procedures. Usually they can find out how to do it. Good luck. And no, I would not even mess with Western Union or Money Gram or any similar. They are set up for a different purpose and have some real "wonders" working in some of their outlets.