International sales - money transfer ??

[CaptainTom]

I have been contacted by what seems to be a reputable company in Turkey that wants to purchase an image.
I am giving this a 75% chance of legitimacy since the web site, email, phone numbers presented are all legitimately from a large company in Turkey.

That said, how would you recommend I handle the money transactions without risk of them penetrating my bank account?

Has anyone done any international transactions via PayPal ?

[kenw]

international money order is the only way I've done it, and it was only once. AND i was the buyer. so, perhaps this isn't much help.....

[rbalcom]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I have been contacted by what seems to be a reputable company in Turkey that wants to purchase an image.
I am giving this a 75% chance of legitimacy since the web site, email, phone numbers presented are all legitimately from a large company in Turkey.

That said, how would you recommend I handle the money transactions without risk of them penetrating my bank account?

Has anyone done any international transactions via PayPal ?

I sold a Canon 1Ds Mark II to an individual in Switzerland and used PayPal for his payment. The fees are a little higher than for US transfers, but it worked out very well for me. He transferred the funds to his account in US dollars and then transferred the money to my PayPal account. I think the fee was 3.9%. If they do not pay in US dollars, you would have to watch the PayPal exchange rates.

[Steelsun]

Western Union is everywhere. Might be the best (safest) way.

[toverman]

Just don't send your money to the Nigerian Finance Minister.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by toverman

Just don't send your money to the Nigerian Finance Minister.

Too late !! I already sent them my last $10.00, but I'm hoping the $15 I get from this international sale will put me back on easy street...

[andyz]

Isn't Krispy Kreme on Easy St?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by andyz

Isn't Krispy Kreme on Easy St?

It must be or else Tom wouldn't want to go there.

[sandy_ruotolo]

Watch out for Western Union, it would appear they are the favorite for scammers. Most of the lottery scams say that they will transfer the funds to Western Union, all you have to do is pick up the money, after of course you provide all information to confirm your identiy like home location, phone numbers, and etc. I think I'd try Paypal, but theyr are not infalliable either.

[CaptainTom]

going to my bank tomorrow to see what they recommend.


Thanks for the advice, keep it coming.

[gardener]

Might be worth starting a second bank account just for odd stuff like this. Usually $50 or less to open and cheap if you don't write a bunch of checks off of it. Limit the funds transfers entering it and the most someone could successfully get is the minimum $ you have in the account just to keep it open.

[Steelsun]

For Western Union, just do it the right way (as they have on their website). All they need is your name, a branch location to send to, and a key/code word (and that is not even needed always).

I had customers that I was on pre-pay terms with due to previous late payments and used WU for that. Also had a customer at one time that would only pay by credit card and I was not accepting them (this was on my investigative biz), so I had them send money via WU (you can use a credit card for that), I would pick up and do the work and never have to fight a charge back (some people do those just because they can)

[SCone]

I'd call my law firm, they'll know how... they know everything.

[Jeff Lane]

I'd call my law firm, they'll know how... they know everything.

Ah, how I love that facade of lawyerly omniscience! (It's wrong, it's horribly wrong, but God help me, I do love it so!)

Remember, "Multi multa, nemo omnia novit." (Many know much, nobody knows everything -- even, or especially, lawyers.)

Go find a good banker instead, Tom.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Also to check out the Turkish company we do have a member here from Istanbul-does great street photography- (don't remember his ID off the top of my head).

I would go the paypal route over WU-should be cheaper anyway and more conveinent unless you have a WU office nearby.