Wire transfers to Egypt Vendor

[jasani]

I've sent a wire transfer to a reputable Vendor in Egypt (a bhuzer) but it's taken two months for it to get to their bank account and still the Vendor says it's not there.

I've contacted my bank many times and they have emails from the Vendor's bank in Egypt stating that it reached the account. I've also contacted the Vendor to ensure that the wire details and his account info is correct to which he concured. He still states that the money is not in his account. I don't know what to do. Has anyone run into this situation before?

He is saying that it's my banks fault but I've spoken to another bhuzer who says she sends wire transfers to Egypt though the same bank - Successfully!

My bank says that there is little they can do if at all because the money DID reach the recipents account.

[Bellydancefanatic]

Oh no Jasani! I hope you didn't spend a great deal of money! All you could really do now is take legal action, and I don't think that will do much help because it's international. Did you try forcing the vendor to look at the documents saying that he/she got it? I hope someone else who can help you posts soon.

[tamrahennatx]

Is it possible that you transposed numbers somewhere and it got to an account that was not the vendor's?

Supposing it did get to an account in that bank, but it was the wrong account. Is there any way to check on this?

Otherwise, your first option should be to find someone on here who has had a relationship with this vendor and ask them to intercede on your behalf. Your next step may be to post a public thread about it.

[jasani]

It was about 300.00.

Yes, I triple checked all the info and it is correct. I got a receipt from my bank which has all the account info and asked the vendor if it was correct to which they replied saying yes.

I'm not saying it's the vendor's fault, I mean it seems like the vendor has a lot of good friends here on Bhuz... so you'd think positive thoughts, right?

[jessedan]

I think that the vendor could help you out a bit by calling his bank in Egypt to see WHAT the heck is going on. It's much easier for him to call them than it is for you.
Though I understand it's not his obligation, I would think that a good vendor would do this just out of courtesy and consideration for a customer, rather than just shrugging and saying "I didn't receive it."

Regards
Priscilla

[jasani]

Yes, fortunately the vendor says that they do in fact go to their bank at least once or twice a week to check if it's arrived.

[Bellydancingcaroline]

Oh how frustrating. I transfer money abroad all the time, and the only problem I have encountered is large fees being deducted by the recipient bank. Which the recipient holds me responsible for.

- Had the vendor had this sort of problem before?
- Can the banks talk to each other about this (you are their customer !)
- Is there anyway to pull the money back?
- Could you get documentation from the vendor saying that you can pull the money back from the Egyptian bank?
- I like the suggestion about about a mediator.

[jessedan]

Well, if your bank has copies of emails sent to them from his bank in Egypt where they state that the money HAS arrived....and that same bank is telling the vendor that it HASN'T arrived, there´s something fishy going on. Can you get copies of those emails and forward them to the vendor so that he can take them to his bank and find out why they're saying two different things?

Regards
Priscilla

Originally Posted by jasani

Yes, fortunately the vendor says that they do in fact go to their bank at least once or twice a week to check if it's arrived.

[leylalanty]

It would be a good idea, if you haven't already done so, to fax your receipt from your bank which shows all the details of the transfer. Then the vendor can take that to his bank. I have heard of this happening before and the fax/copy of the sender's bank receipt usually clears it up. good luck!

[jasani]

Hi Leylalanty, yep I did that today. Believe it or not Washington Mutual Bank will NOT fax international. I had to go to a "Post Net" (mom/pop mail box) to have it faxed. I don't know why I have NO problem at all wireing money to Turkey but this one time to Egypt and all hell breaks loose.

Bellydancingcaroline,
- Had the vendor had this sort of problem before? He said no.
- Can the banks talk to each other about this (you are their customer !) "WAMU" said that once it reaches the other side it's out of their hands! Rediculous, eh?
- Is there anyway to pull the money back? See previous answer
- Could you get documentation from the vendor saying that you can pull the money back from the Egyptian bank?No, if the vendor's bank says it doesn't have the money in the vendor's account - Limbo

[jasani]

Originally Posted by jessedan

Well, if your bank has copies of emails sent to them from his bank in Egypt where they state that the money HAS arrived....and that same bank is telling the vendor that it HASN'T arrived, there´s something fishy going on. Can you get copies of those emails and forward them to the vendor so that he can take them to his bank and find out why they're saying two different things?

Regards
Priscilla

I never even thought about that - thanks. I will ask my bank tomorrow about sending me the correspondence emails so I can send them to the vendor.

Thank you all for your suggestions and consideration. I just hope that no one else is going through this same issue. It's a pain in the neck.

[Shaunte]

I don't know....from what I'm getting both banks are saying it arrived but the vendor is denying it??? Doesn't add up. I think the vendor should be doing more to research to find this money.

[Bellydancingcaroline]

OK, so now you need something in writing from *Both* banks saying it has arrived. Send this to the vendor + if you could get a contact from your vendors bank that he could go and speak to (someone who is saying the money has arrived).

[jewels1]

My bank offers free checking accounts, so I set up a special account for wire transfers & have the vendor do it from their end. I give them my info & I keep only enough to cover the costume and then I know the vendor got the money because they are the only one with access.
Also, our banks charge up to $40 for the transfer and the vendor I have used does not add anymore onto the agreed upon price of the costume.

That would be for future endeavors for you & others to think about.