need help

[latinalover]

I need to send some money to Bogota by Sunday-I have searched the archives and most of the information deals with western Union and Banks-I understand you can also do it through some type of phone service--Does anybody know anything about this, or other quicker method?

Thanks!

[DallasSteve2]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

If you don't want to take money to a store like Dolex you can wire money using the Internet and a credit card at www.terra.com.  They charge about 6%; much more than Dolex, but much less than Western Union.  The credit card company will also charge a fee plus interest.

I still think the best idea is to send a credit card to your novia or relative, put a low limit on it and let the user withdraw funds from an ATM.

Steve

[latinalover]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

Thanks to all of you who responded on how to send money to Bogota--Because of the time element, I did no have much time to check out all the suggested places. However, I did compare Moneygram and Western Union. Both are pretty steep-
$14 and $15 dollars for $100 dollars--What a rip off--But I had no choice--I used WU-I am also realizing that Western Union moves at a snail's pace, since as of late this evening the money hadn't arrived in Bogota yet--Hopefully, as long as it get there before Monday--
I going to look into Dolex for sure or some other less expensive companies-

Thanks again

[Michael B]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

Yes, try where Petes' wife works, Dolex ($5.00 fee, good rate). Another good one is AFEX....4% fee ($4.00 minimum, sometimes gives a slightly better exchange rate than Dolex)....I've used both and never have any trouble....money arrives within an hour with both of these services. Be prepared, you will need her full name (don't forget, BOTH 'last' names), address and phone number AND where it is convient for her to claim the money.... i.e. the shopping mall nearest her house or job, or at least what part of town she lives in and the clerk can look up the nearest shopping mall for you. The business where she is to claim the money will telephone her to tell her to come get it. She will need her cedula (Colombian national ID card) to claim the money. If you're going to send money more than one time, tell them you want to open an account....Dolex will make a little card (looks like a credit card) for you and next time they will just scan the card and the computer will remember the name, address, pick up point etc, you just have to specify the amount. AFEX does a similar service, but instead of giving you a card,  they use your telephone number as the account number.

  Besides the fee you pay, consider the exchange rate they pay out. A cheap fee won't do you much good if they give you a bad rate....example: last week I sent some via Dolex and they paid 2680 to the dollar. Later that day, I was in a mall and noticed an American Express office advertising "We send money worldwide" and out of curiosity, asked their price and exchange rate---$5.00 fee and they pay out 2400 to the dollar....gee, that's more than 10% LESS for your novia, yet the cost to you is the same. Western Union has high fees AND a bad rate, I don't know about Moneygram, but I'll bet Dolex and AFEX can both beat them.

Your profile says Texas, (but it doesn't say what city)..go to the Mexican part of town and look for signs that say "enviamos dinero" or "giros". Do you have a Michoacana grocery store in your town? They all have Dolex service, AFEX is usually found in ma & pa type bakeries or resturants.

[Red Clay]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

Girosol is a money transfer sevice that I use with excellent results, very fast and good customer sevice. Can be found in many latin groceries, music stores, etc.

[Pete E]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

My wife works for Dolex Dollar exchange.Its $5 to wire up  up to $2500 to Colombia,the maximum you can send.Its $2 to Mexico.You must find an office and walk in,they take cash only.They may not be where you are.The main office is in Texas,many offices in California.Used mostly by people sending money to Mexico but they send to all latin Countries.
Western Union will take a credit card over the phone but they charge 10-15%.

Pete

[Landover]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

Just discoverd Global F.X., dirt cheap rates ie $2 fee for $50, $10 fee for $200 , you can locate a store by calling 1-877-934-5622. Puts Western Union to shame. See you are in Texas give them a call, I found them here in Atlanta at a small colombian owned music store called Meximusic.

[Chris F]

... in response to need help, posted by latinalover on Dec 13, 2002

Use Moneygram.....its much cheaper then Western Union.