Money transfer Canada to US

[mlm]

We (4 adults and one child) are in canada and going to DL Dec 28-Jan3. I am getting my friend in the states to buy the SCCP on costco US website (not available on the canadian) for way cheaper (174.99 for adults as opposed to 199.99). I have to transfer $853US for the 5 tickets.

anyone know the best way to send money - fast - to the US? western union is about $100 which is about what I am saving so that's no good. Paypal charges 4.9% so it's about $41 which is ok...but just wondering if you guys know a better or cheaper way to do it?

also, I will get my friend to ship directly from costco to the hotel. What is your experience with that? Is there any way that they would misplace them or something? We are staying at the carousel inn. Sorry for being so naive but this whole traveling thing is new to me!!

HELP!! I got to get these tickets ordered today as time is running out!! Yippee!!!!

 

[mousy_in_canada]

Can you send a money order via ups or purolator next day? not sure on that cost but it is what I am thinking I would do.

 

[maddiel]

I know Canadian Costco members can shop in the US stores. Have you tried to order them online from Costco.com yourself - especially since you are looking at shipping to a US address?

M.

 

[Northstar]

Ask your bank what they charge for a US dollar money order. That's probably the easiest, most cost-effective way to transfer this kind of money.

If that won't work, check what your bank charges for a wire transfer directly from your account to their bank account. If the price is right (last time I did it my bank charged only $25 but that was a while ago), you'll need some extra info like routing numbers for their bank and their account number. Your bank can tell you exactly what info you'll need and they can probably get all the info from their bank.

Or, if you still have paper cheques for your bank account, you can write them a cheque (in Canadian dollars if you have a Canadian dollar account), send it to them, they take it to their bank, their bank "buys" the cheque from them and sends it for collection, the money is deducted from your account and sent to the bank, it is then converted into US dollars and finally deposited into their account. This could take a few weeks before they actually get the money and will only work if their bank does international exchanges, but you can see it's very cheap.

 

[almacdonald]

I think you might be able to just transfer the money, online, from your bank account to your friend's. My mom used this method to transfer money to my aunt. All she needed was an email address i think.

 

[surfer_ed]

I have used the Costo US site to rent a car...you might want to try it with your Canadian membership.