AW: [meteorite-list] Opinion needed

From: Norbert Classen <trifid_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Jul 21 18:04:35 2005
Message-ID: <200507220004238.SM01048_at_lunatic>

Dear Walter, dear Listees,

There's a major difference between the European and the US banking systems:
while you are used to checks and money orders we are used to bank wire
transfers. In fact, the last time I used a check or a money order must be
more than 10 years ago. All my banking business is done via wire transfers,
and in Europe it's usual and very safe to give away your account number. In
fact, I also received many payments from the US, and sent many payments to
the US via SWIFT wire transfer. Hey, this is MUCH faster and more safe than
any check in the world. Not long ago I payed an American dealer via SWIFT
wire tranfer, and he was more than amazed that the money had been deposited
on his account in less than 24 hours. This is usual in Europe, as I said
before, and payments withing Germany, for example, are sent in real time so
that you have access to your funds, within one or two days.

It's not that I want to convince you to give away your bank information.
It's just that I'm trying to explain a fundamental difference in our banking
systems. It's hard for us to get a check (in fact, my bank hates to issue
cashier checks, and always insists on doing wire transfers), and I guess the
same applies if you live in Finland (also part of the European Union). I
guess the seller you're dealing with just doesn't understand why you are
insisting on a check or a money order when it's much easier, faster, and
more safe to transfer the funds via wire transfer ;-))

My 2 Euro-Cents,
Norbert

-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-bounces_at_meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces_at_meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von Walter
Branch
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 21. Juli 2005 21:57
An: meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
Betreff: [meteorite-list] Opinion needed

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has an opinion with a problem I have with a
meteorite dealer. I am returning a slice of Ghubara for a refund. I feel
it was not described adequately. The seller, who is in Finland, wants my
bank account number to directly deposit refund funds. My policy is to never
give out my bank account number. I have asked for a refund in Internation
Money Order, US check, or US cash. Alternatively, this seller uses a
service in Minnesota called Western Bid, which is where I sent my check when
I paid for the slice and I suggested that I receive a reinbursement check
from them.

I am 99.9% sure that I will not give out my bank account number but I am
seeking opinions from list members on this. Thanks very much. Has anyone
come across this situation before?

Walter Branch
Received on Thu 21 Jul 2005 06:04:11 PM PDT