Do Not Use Western Union | Aronil

Do Not Use Western Union

My Honest Opinion, My Tragedy 18 September 2008 | Comments

Here’s another thing I would like to share. See a few months back I purchased a few phones from Singapore because they were apparently cheaper by a mile compared to the prices you can get at low yat. What happened was this. I purcashed all the phones for say round S$1650 and i wanted to make the payment to the other party via Maybank2u Telegraphic Transfer, which is safe, fast and trustworthy. But my counterpart wanted it done via Western Union because it is fast – like on the day the sender does the transaction the receiver will get it in day. 

Now for countries like Singapore, Britain.. basically any other currency that has a better foreign exchange rate than your country, the service transaction to send money to that country is higher. Hence, where they say it is cheaper and better to use Western Union is soooo lying!! I had a wonderful surprise where I had to send about RM4000 which is the exact amount i need to pay for the phones. 

Little did i know.. this does not INCLUDE the service transaction..which is RM250. Meaning i had to pay RM4250… no way! Yeah Western Union is cheaper, faster, and more secure if you are sending from a country with a stronger dollar then yours. Arrghhh so which means i had to spend more on the service transaction… 

Whatever it is I’ve learnt my lesson, I’m sticking with Maybank which in my opinion is still a lot cheaper. The transaction fee is around RM10 and should be either one day to three working days. Blehhhhhhh. See!

Bank fee: There is a RM10 (ten ringgit) fee for Foreign TT transactions to all countries, including Singapore. This fee is not refundable. - Maybank

So as long as I’m in Malaysia, I’m not using Western Union. Even if it is fast, it robs me of more money. So  I’m sticking with Maybank. 

western_union_logo_cmyk

Yeah it may sound unfair, but I’ve never used Western Union and to receive sucha big shock on the transaction fees when someone keeps praising it.. Just didn’t do it for me.

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  • cantikitukamu
    totally agree with you... thanks for sharing this article.. but i had use Western union.. no turning back.. may be next time i'll try maybank TT.. Thanks.. everyone should now.. i was shock when i was told that the amount i should pay in RM is more than i expected.. dang~ =p
  • Thanks for reminding me ... I almost got ripped off.. hehehe ... Great advice!
  • Boicot Western Union
    Western Union is the worlds most expensive way of sending money regardless which currency rate used. They always apply a spread on the exchange rate. This way they earn almost as much from the exchange rate as they do from the high fees. Western Union is stealing hard earned money from migrants worldwide!
  • aronil
    Hey azrin..have you used it before too? what did you encounter?
  • azrin
    Theya re always a rip off anyway!
  • aronil
    heh yeah... i should just stick with Maybank next time.. wasted a lot more money shuffling with different ways
  • tom
    maybe its cheap for the same day transfer thingy.. i've never used Western Union. Maybank's TT is just the same.. so what it arrives later, as long as it arrives, better than not.
  • aronil
    yeah you can say that again. I think western union is a rip off for countries that have poor ex change rates. But i will agree it is very fast. But even bank transfers can be just as fast, if it is done in the morning.. so i heard.
  • aeroplane1234
    i was at CIMB bank cheras and a philipino scolding the counter girl both arguing over some exchange rate issues. and yes, the philipino insisted "i want Western Union" - looks like someone got ripped off.
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