Receiving international payments...anything better than PayPal? Thread poster: Stacy Evans
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Stacy Evans
United States
Local time: 03:01
Spanish to English
Hi all!
For the past few years I have been working with agencies and have had zero problems invoicing and receiving payments. In recent months, however, I have started working with direct clients (mostly in Latin America) and have found that Paypal not only charges large transaction fees, but sometimes it's difficult for clients to access and pay!
Does anyone have recommendations for a payment platform that is accessible and easy-to-use from Latin America to US?
... See more Hi all!
For the past few years I have been working with agencies and have had zero problems invoicing and receiving payments. In recent months, however, I have started working with direct clients (mostly in Latin America) and have found that Paypal not only charges large transaction fees, but sometimes it's difficult for clients to access and pay!
Does anyone have recommendations for a payment platform that is accessible and easy-to-use from Latin America to US?
Thanks in advance for you help! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Bank transfer | Jan 28, 2018 |
Stacy Evans wrote:
Does anyone have recommendations for a payment platform that is accessible and easy-to-use from Latin America to US?
I've found PayPal great for small amounts. You receive the money instantly and the fees are minimal.
As soon as you start talking about over a couple of hundred dollars, the fees start to hurt.
On the other hand, international bank transfers aren't usually very good for small payments.
So, you might have to assess which payment method best suits each client.
(this is just general advice, there might be more specific methods for your situation that I'm not aware of... Bitcoin maybe? )
[Edited at 2018-01-28 04:44 GMT]
| | | | Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:01
Serbian to English
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| | international payment | Jan 28, 2018 |
PayPal is praised by the Americans, but they are far from reliable and should you receive important amounts they sequester your payments claiming that they have to verify.... Seeing their poor track of honesty and that they are constantly under investigation, you will then have to fight tooth and nail to be paid. I have scrapped them and insist on bank transfers. Most agencies initially try to negotiate, but if you stand firm, they give in. After all, that is what banks are there for.
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| Transferwise | Jan 28, 2018 |
Stacy Evans wrote:
Does anyone have recommendations for a payment platform that is accessible and easy-to-use from Latin America to US?
Try looking into Transferwise.
| | | | J KIM 
South Korea
Local time: 21:01
Korean to English
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| Woodstock (X)
Germany
Local time: 13:01
German to English
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| I have used an alternative service | Jan 28, 2018 |
Agreed, the fees can become quite prohibitive with Paypal, so I only use it for fairly small payments and online purchases. When one of my UK clients didn't want to use Paypal a few years ago, I suggested one I had come across on the internet that looked reasonable:
transferwise
https://transferwise.com/de/
I was very pleased with the results, payment was quick and in full, i.... See more Agreed, the fees can become quite prohibitive with Paypal, so I only use it for fairly small payments and online purchases. When one of my UK clients didn't want to use Paypal a few years ago, I suggested one I had come across on the internet that looked reasonable:
transferwise
https://transferwise.com/de/
I was very pleased with the results, payment was quick and in full, i.e. I didn't end up paying any fees. Conditions may have changed in the meantime but still could be worth a look. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Skrill/ Moneybookers | Jan 28, 2018 |
PayPal was not well-known in Egypt when I start my career. Instead, I use Moneybookers ( SKRILL). They charge small fees which seem reasonable. I use it only for small amounts and random clients,but with bigger amount and settled clients , I always prefer the bank transfer.
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 13:01
Member (2009)
English to German
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Woodstock wrote:
transferwise
https://transferwise.com/de/
I was very pleased with the results, payment was quick and in full, i.e. I didn't end up paying any fees. Conditions may have changed in the meantime but still could be worth a look.
When a client sends 100 USD you receive 97 USD. But their exchange rate is by about 2.5 Euro cents better than PayPals.
| | | | Vanda Nissen
Australia
Local time: 22:01
English to Russian
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| Transferwise | Jan 29, 2018 |
I agree with Mirko, it is a good alternative.
| | | | Stacy Evans
United States
Local time: 03:01
Spanish to English
TOPIC STARTER | Great ideas! | Jan 29, 2018 |
Thanks so much for your responses everyone! I'm going to look into all of these options. I also hadn't thought of toggling between different services for different countries, so thank you for putting that into perspective as well. I hope this forum serves others in the same boat.
| | | | | What about Western Union? | Feb 1, 2018 |
This is the first time that I have heard of TransferWise. Thank you. I mostly use bank transfer for Chinese clients, and Paypal and Western Union for international clients. Next time, I will try TransferWise, since it can save some for either party.
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