Live and learn (getting money into Russia)

[Philb]

Since I am now engaged and have begun the k1 process.  It is becoming obvious Tatyana is going to have some expenses in regards to this process (plane tickets, medical exams, document translation, etc.).

I hate paying money to Western Union for transfering money.  I thought I had a way around this.  My idea was that I would open up a bank account, fedex an atm card to her (about $80.00), and place money into this account as needed.  Well, unfortunately this is not allowed by Russia (according to Fedex).  I wish I would have brought the ATM card with me on my last trip and given it to her if things worked out as they have, or just kept the card and closed the account on my return if things did not work out.  Like I said live and learn.

[BrianN]

... in response to Live and learn (getting money into Russi..., posted by Philb on Jul 10, 2002

Global Priority mail.  26 bucks or so will get it there in a nice sealed plastic bag.  Just use the standard express mail form, and print the to: address in Russian, and above that in big letters write "RUSSIA" in english.  Take it to the post office and they'll take care of the rest for you.

My opinion?  Screw FDX and DHL on this one.

It'll get there in 8 days or less.

Regarding getting documents or whatever BACK from Novokuznetsksksksl%#$@ if Tatyana uses Russian "Registered" mail, I'll just say that it does work, (from my experience with Lena's docs).  A slip shows up in the mail box and I had to go to the post office and sign for the thing.  It took less than 10 days to get here from when she sent them, and the envelope wasn't opened, like other letters I've received from her in the past.

Btw, it really ain't so bad using western union.  The personal touch and effort required to go through the process on both ends (I had money wu'd to Lena when I was with her in Novosibirsk) makes the lady appreciate it that much more.  I don't know....  it's just a thought.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Phil... advice below is correct regardin..., posted by BrianN on Jul 11, 2002


Yeah, but that nice touch costs $27... and if you are doing it once or twice a month... that gets pricey...

[Oscar]

... in response to Phil... advice below is correct regardin..., posted by BrianN on Jul 11, 2002

I will only use DHL for important things.. VERY reliable, and it took 4 days, including the weekend!  I think they are great..

My 2 cents

[RfB]

... in response to Live and learn (getting money into Russi..., posted by Philb on Jul 10, 2002

And it works to open a separate bank account just for her, add money to cover expenses, but not so much that it would hurt to lose it if there are problems. I sent the ATM card with photos and papers via good old US Mail Express letter. Cost about $30, was there in 5 days unopened, no hassles from customs.

[Patrick]

... in response to Live and learn (getting money into Russi..., posted by Philb on Jul 10, 2002

Why does FedEx have to know what's in the envelope?  Can't you just send it and tell them it's something else?

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: Live and learn (getting money into R..., posted by Patrick on Jul 10, 2002

I was told:

FedEx reserves the right to open any package and check for contents.

Doesn't mean that they will.

Seems to me that a credit card could be oh so easily concealed.

If I were doing it, I would buy a tour guide of Texas. (Paperback to save weight.) Then I would stick the card in it, and go to a store that had a shrink-wrapper, and have them shrink wrap it (make it look like a brand new book. I'd even have them stick a price tag on it.

Then I would stick a post-it note on it:

"Darling, here's where you will be living."

Seems to me that would make it through without a blink, even if the DID open it the envelope.

And the worse case scenario is that you would find out that it didn't make it, and cancel the card. (Don't put any money on the account until you know she got it.)

I say go for it!

[Oscar]

... in response to What FedEx told me, posted by MarkInTx on Jul 10, 2002

Just contact Jack and the next guy going over can take the card with him, drop it one of Jacks people and they can get it to her!  When I went, I took a card over for Jack!  
I would NOT be messing around with stuff like this as it could be possible to get your girl in a whole sheetload of trouble!

My 2 cents..
Oscar

[Philb]

... in response to Re: Live and learn (getting money into R..., posted by Patrick on Jul 10, 2002

I have a friend who works for Fedex.  I think I will feel him out on this a little and see what he has to say.

[Dan]

... in response to Thats a thought....., posted by Philb on Jul 10, 2002

Novel inside - and a telephone call to let your lady know which page to read first --smile--.

Almost no chance of them opening the parcel, and if they did, they'd see a nice book designed to help your lady learn English - right?

Good Luck!

- Dan