Transferring money from U.S.A. to Moldava

What is the best system?

[vmcknight]

I'm negotiating with a programmer in the Republic of Moldava. My problem is how to get the money to him.

Western Union ( www.westernunion.com ) would charge USD 20 which is a significant percent of the amount being sent. Web Money ( www.wmtransfer.com ) charges 8%, but I can't tell from the terms whether or not the banks involved would make charges.

Has any one used these services? Are they safe and reliable? Would you recommend them?

[Marcia]

How about bank wire transfer? Some people use that when shipping international orders.

[Shakil]

I have been using Russian developers in Moscow for the last 2 years.

by far the best way is Western Union, the rest were all nightmares (wire transfer/web payments), although WU is expensive, it DOES get there super quick?

(and completely off topic, Moldova has the most beautiful women in the world, I will happily make the trip for you :)

Shak

[john316]

This mght be a bit off the wall...but if this is to be an ongoing relationship, you can open a local bank account and get a few debit cards, send him a debit card.

You will have to keep a small balance to keep the account alive, but other than that I think he could tap it from an ATM whenever you put money into it.

[hurlimann]

john316 this is what we do. We have to pay a good few people in the FSU and this method is the cheapest and fastest.

Always found it bizzare that visa fraud protection never spots we put the money in the UK and within 5 minutes we are taking it out in the FSU.

[vmcknight]

Thanks, this is all good advice (except for the idea of sending Shakil to Moldova. :) )

Does anyone else have experiences to share?