...Western Union is one of the better ways (percentage fees and hassle-wise) of satisfying the OP's original request...
...Western Union is one of the better ways (percentage fees and hassle-wise) of satisfying the OP's original request...
Again, it is extremely market-specific. Here, particularly for small amounts (up to HK$10-20K), and particularly to the home markets of their primary customers (the DHs), and even more particularly to recipients who don't have a bank account in the destination market, they are very competitive.
Last edited by PDLM; 19-01-2010 at 04:38 PM.
Agree it is market/country specific. I send money back to the UK every month by Western Union and the fees are around HKD 450 per transmission which I have to cover.
my 2 cents:
1. just bring it in usd. you don't have to declare it thru customs since you are carrying less than the maximum allowed.
2. change it in SANRY'S. they have a lot of branches in the malls. since i'm staying near makati, i go to the sanry's glorietta branch. their rates are closer to the internet rates (xe currency converter). banks are lower by 20 centavos more or less
3. don't change it at the airport unless absolutely needed. they're really low. about 50 cents difference per unit
4. again let me just remind you that this set up (bringing usd in) is a better option if you know your way around manila and you want to make the most of your money. if you prefer convenience then use the atm method. safer since you're not carrying cash in bulk. atms have different maximum daily withdrawals. BPI allows only PhP 20k, BDO and others PhP 50k. and the iternational fee for withdrawal is about PhP75 per transaction.
this was last november 28, 2009 when i went there for a short vacation.
Well then they should pay the fees not you, surely?
And it does sound slightly dodgy to say the least...