"Getting wires crossed in the Netherlands" Topic

I found a wargames book I wanted from the Netherlands for 13 euros (including postage to the USA) and the owner asked me to send a wire transfer. I told him that this was involved and that as an American I know nothing about wire transfers; can't I just use a credit card or wire transfer. His response was no I had to use a wire transfer and dont worry it's easy.

Well, I didnt find it that easy and my bank charged me $5 USD to send the 13 euro wire.

However, the book seller tells me (in an admonishing manner) that because I asked for beneficiary costs, his bank deducted 12 euros from the wire transfer.

Aside from the fact, that I told him I know nothing about wire transfers, does anyone else think it might have been useful for him to mention it would cost me 15 additional euros to wire money for a 13 euro purchase?

And, am I to believe this merchant thinks I should spend another 27 euros to resend the wire?

What's going on over there?

I live in the Netherlands and wire transfers seem somewhat out dated as the use credit card or PayPal have streamlined international purchases.
Was PayPal not an option?

Is the seller reputable?

I have no idea if the seller is reputable but I asked him if he would take Paypal or even a credit card and he insisted on a wire transfer.

All of that is alright with me but one would think, after I mentioned I never sent wires, he would mention that it would be expensive to send a wire for such a small purchase.

For a follow up laugh, he seems to think that this is all due to my mistake and that I should resend the money!

It's not going to happen but do I ask him to reverse the wire from his end? I dont know if that's even possible.

It's not a lot of money but I thought people would enjoy the story.

You should query that issue with your bank if they were the ones who sent the wire transfer.

Direct transfer of funds from a bank account to another bank account can be reversed in cases of a dispute.

It may be possible with a wire transfer.

If no PayPal, or CC, i would offer to send cash in sealed envelope. I am sure he could figure out what to do with dollars. So his bank deducted 12 out of 13 euros from the transfer? It was completely negligent for him not to tell you everything about doing the transfer.

By the way, what book was it? Did you try On Military Matters for the book? Stick with US vendors.

If no PayPal, or CC, i would offer to send cash in sealed envelope. I am sure he could figure out what to do with dollars. So his bank deducted 12 out of 13 euros from the transfer? It was completely negligent for him not to tell you everything about doing the transfer.

Well, especially after I told him I never really did a wire transfer before. But after that, he:

1. Admonished me that I made a mistake
2. Acted like he was the one who got screwed because he only got a dollar
3. Thought nothing of warning me to be more careful when I resent the money.

It made me wonder if aggravated assaults were more frequent there than in other countries?

I didnt try OMM but I am fairly sure they didnt have this book.

Sorry, but I smell a scam…

Banks all on the way out, steal.
Use Transferwise, Revolut etc, open an account. It is so easy and all transfers will be fast and cost 1p times less.
Or Paypal.

Within the EU wire transfers are entirely free of charge nowadays.
So many Europeans don't realize how much it costs (from) outside of the EU.

I thought it would be ethical to update events here. Apparently, through a pang of remorse that I got struck with high transaction costs for a small wire transfer, the book store proprietor sent me the book gratis with his compliments. One day recently, the book arrived in the mail with a note. I suppose, when i find the right words, I should thank him for the gesture. Maybe someone has a suggestion?