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Western union experience - never again!

danizzz

Active Member
11/10/14
299
1
0
I tried the other day to send money via Western union.
A lot of people here, says that WU is a fast and easy way to send money around the world. I read somewhere here on the forum.....sign the paper and you're good to go!....
I don't know if the things are changed, but my WU experience has been far from easy and fast.
A great portion of the WU here in Italy are in the worst places of the city, in "all for one dollar" kind of store, with agents that doesn't talk good Italian neither English.
In two WU that I tried, there were no papers to fill.
I found a guy with a small PC that tried in both occasion to fill a WU form online.
In 20 minutes he was still at the name and surname of the receiver try to understand how to use his own program. At the end, the transition was denied for some reason (i paid cash), and after 30 minutes, I decided to pick my money back and will never use WU again.
Very bad experience.
 

kilowattore

Sales Moderator / Section Moderator
Staff member
Moderator Sales
Section Moderator
Certified
11/5/13
14,168
6,887
113
Italy
I agree, not as cheap, fast and easy as other members say, at least in Italy.
 

cybee

Legendary Member
23/11/06
11,134
30
48
A great portion of the WU here in Italy are in the worst places of the city, in "all for one dollar" kind of store, with agents that doesn't talk good Italian neither English.
In two WU that I tried, there were no papers to fill.
I found a guy with a small PC that tried in both occasion to fill a WU form online.

Hmmm bad parts of the city and they don't speak decent Italian or English plus they lacked the proper forms? Under those circumstance I wouldn't use it either. I've purchased all my reps with nothing but WU and never had a problem, but then they always have the correct forms and speak impeccable English. :eek:hwell:
 

Dowbs

I'm Pretty Popular
7/2/13
1,467
3
38
Yeah, it seems to be a lot less user friendly or accessible in Europe than here in North America. Higher fees, fewer locations to send in person, and as you found out not the greatest service. Kinad sucks because it really is as simple as filling out a form here.
 

Kronop

Getting To Know The Place
20/12/14
44
0
0
Well, it seems like there are some easier ways to do this in my part of the world (Sweden). I can manage the complete WU transfer from the comfort of my home. Direct transfer from my bank account, no hazzle with forms, cash,credit cards or stupid questions.
 

danizzz

Active Member
11/10/14
299
1
0
Well, it seems like there are some easier ways to do this in my part of the world (Sweden). I can manage the complete WU transfer from the comfort of my home. Direct transfer from my bank account, no hazzle with forms, cash,credit cards or stupid questions.

I have that option on my bank account, but i read that, sometimes, the bank or WU, can block your transfer or ask for further information.
Is it true?
 

Dowbs

I'm Pretty Popular
7/2/13
1,467
3
38
A lot of dealers are flagged when using WU online, and if that happens the payment will be denied, which is why many people recommend you use the service in person. But it seems that some people have had no trouble doing online transfers. If the worst that can happen is that your payment doesn't go through, I suppose it's worth a try.
 

Kronop

Getting To Know The Place
20/12/14
44
0
0
There should be no problems if using the WU Trustly service, unfortunately there is only a limited number of banks connected to this option.

Skickat från min SGPT12 via Tapatalk
 

freeboy

Renowned Member
10/2/15
549
0
16
WU is my third option after botht CC and PP... but
I had a quick experience once the paperwork was into the store I used system... and I had to call WU for the correct price..
 

Thrasher

Legendary Member
15/4/14
13,212
2,321
113
The Beach
If I cant use PayPal I use western union, Some people like BK and TC have even better methods. I suggest you look online for a western union on the good side of town. In Toulouse it seems they have them at La Poste, Travelex, and I thought I saw one near the Capitol.....Where city hall is and the place where they last beheaded an aristocrat :) I would never use a credit card.
 

Carter69

Getting To Know The Place
28/2/15
46
0
6
Sometimes Recievers are flagged and the security department stops transfers.
 

Sirlordcomic

Renowned Member
DO NOT TRADE WITH ME
4/8/14
666
1
0
I have tried to use it twice online, and 2x the payment was taken out of my account, and then returned. They claimed I was a risk.
 

Carter69

Getting To Know The Place
28/2/15
46
0
6
Yes very odd indeed they stopped a $199. USD transfer of mine wasted two trips to my local money mart. The clerk was also confused as the amount was so low. They must have their parameters and I suspect they intervene sometimes also to protect senders.
 

Anelson86

Getting To Know The Place
4/2/15
30
0
0
Just today I tried to use WU online to a TD and it was left pending. Then I received a phone call from WU asking who I was sending money to, do I know this person and am I aware that their account has been flagged. Needless to say it was declined... Figures I finally decided on the watch I want and this happens. Guess I'll stick to M2M in the USA.
 

Dowbs

I'm Pretty Popular
7/2/13
1,467
3
38
Just today I tried to use WU online to a TD and it was left pending. Then I received a phone call from WU asking who I was sending money to, do I know this person and am I aware that their account has been flagged. Needless to say it was declined... Figures I finally decided on the watch I want and this happens. Guess I'll stick to M2M in the USA.

This would be precisely why everyone on the forum tells you to do your WU transfers in person, not using their shitty online system.
 

Anelson86

Getting To Know The Place
4/2/15
30
0
0
This would be precisely why everyone on the forum tells you to do your WU transfers in person, not using their shitty online system.
Somehow I missed that....maybe I'll try again but still the dealer was flagged.
 

Dowbs

I'm Pretty Popular
7/2/13
1,467
3
38
Somehow I missed that....maybe I'll try again but still the dealer was flagged.

Yeah, a lot of dealers are "flagged" according to their online system, but that usually has no bearing on a transfer in person. Don't ask my why, just the way it is with WU. Because you're in the US, finding a physical location to send from should be pretty straight forward.

In my time here I've only ever heard of one person having their transfer denied in person, and that was because the person on the receiving end "wasn't allowed to use their service", despite the fact that person had received payments via WU that same day. So it was odd to say the least, but it shouldn't be an issue for you.
 

Anelson86

Getting To Know The Place
4/2/15
30
0
0
Yeah, a lot of dealers are "flagged" according to their online system, but that usually has no bearing on a transfer in person. Don't ask my why, just the way it is with WU. Because you're in the US, finding a physical location to send from should be pretty straight forward.

In my time here I've only ever heard of one person having their transfer denied in person, and that was because the person on the receiving end "wasn't allowed to use their service", despite the fact that person had received payments via WU that same day. Co it was odd to say the least, but it shouldn't be an issue for you.
Guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up.