Hi Lou, I noticed you hadn't received a reply - I haven't done this but I know people who have so I thought I'd pass on what I know.

You can either send the money via the Western Union website, or phone, or go to an agent. You pay money to them, they 'transfer' it to the receiver and issue you with a 10 digit number which acts as a confirmation. You give this number to the person who you are sending the money to.

The person the other end goes to their agent (ie Western Union in Candolim) and give the 10 digit number. Once they have confirmed the details the money is theirs. You need to ensure that the name on the receivers identification matches the name that you give.

It works out at around an extra £12-14 per £100 that you send and if you pay from a credit card you may get charged extra by the issuer as they may class it as a cash advance. I'm sure you can pay cash at an agent but you need to take a form (or 2) of ID. There are loads of Western Union agents worldwide and you should be able to find one close to you if you don't want to do it online.

Have a look on the Western Union uk website and you should get more info there.

We've never done this but we always make sure we know where the nearest Western Union agent is abroad in case we need to call on the Bank of Parents!

Hope that helps, let me know how it goes x

i have sent money to goa to a goan friend through western union. we used one at our local travel agents, best i think if youve never done it before,i was under the impression you had to name a western union facility in goa but we didnt ,,we just texted our friend the confirmation number and he picked it up no trouble. hope this helps ,,we payed £15 extra on a £100

£15 on a hundred is hellishly expensive.
Are they not allowed to hold Paypal accounts in India yet?

The one and only time i transferred money to India was through international bank transfer, involved me marching round Birmingham to find the only "international capable" Lloyds branch that could deal with the particular Indian bank, then spending 30mins while they all worked out what to do. Never again.

im sure it was £15 up to £100 sent. so if you were sending less it wasnt worth it ..more than £100 was more i think but not sure ?

Thanks for your help I will give it a try!

Lou

If you have not already sent it there is a way to send money without any charges (minimum £50).
Go to the HDFC Bank and their Quick remit to India service very easy no charge providing the people you are sending it too can give you an HDFC bank account number.

Blobb

I paid my deposit to Joseph and Lucia the deposit for our recent holiday via western union.

I rang western union from the phone number on the website and paid via my debit card, yes it is a bit expensive but it is secure and quick

Then email the info W/ U give you to Joseph

It is worth the extra little expense to pay your deposit as joseph and lucia more than make up for it with hospitality from them

For me it would be western union everytime

GM 2006

Thanks for your help Goan Mad

I just went online on the Western Union website to pay the deposit for the Lucia Guest House... they rejected the deposit saying that there is a lot of fraud with payments to India for goods and services. However, they said I may be able to pay cash through an agent. Has anyone else had this problem with Western Union recently? I wish there was an easier way to pay.

Edit : Not sure why the ***** appeared. The missing word is f r a u d. Hardly insulting!

I've used Western Union through an agent, no problems but you do pay extra. Don't you know anyone near to you that is going out soon that could pay it for you?

Thanks for the advice. It seems that it was just with online payment there is an issue. I guess they were suggesting that I could be using a stolen card... despite me having to go through Nationwide online security and then Western Union asking security questions on the phone - only to be told that they don't allow transfers to India!!! Why have the option online then?

Anyway - popped into an Asian telephone shop in town and got it done no problem via Western Union. £4.90 fee for anything up to £100 for transfer within 12 hours. Going Places was £6.90 for instant transfer (as per the internet) or £4.90 for 48 hour transfer... but they were near to closing and wouldn't do it. So I guess the thing is to go into an agent. It doesn't seem to cost any more than online and it is a lot easier!

Hi Lou,

See you there!!! we too are going at christmas!

Dont know if it is too late........but we too had problems sending money with western Union, have a look on their web site to find the nearest place to you to send money, (ours was in the local newsagents) you will need driving licence or passport and two household bills they will phone it through and then you will be given an activation number which needs to be e-mailed/phoned through to the recipient who then takes that to his/her local branch so that the money can be released.

Regards Trina

I didn't need any ID at all at my little Asian local shop. I did see him sign to say he had seen my id though.. even though he hadn't. All a bit relaxed but my payment went through okay and Lucia has it.

I popped into my local shop to find out what was required. I then said to the shop keeper I would return in a short while, I went home turned out every drawer to find my driving licence, bills etc and then returned to the same shop with the same shopkeeper to be told....very sorry Madam our computer is not working...it has not been working all week!!!!!!!AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!
I found another shop (that opened late!) and it was a breeze!
Regards Trina