Moneygram

[carride]

I think you misunderstand. Rates can differ to Argentina, depending on which country you are sending from (feel free to check the different WU rates from various EU/UK/US/AU Western Union sites, and differing currencies). So it is totally applicable. Not everyone sends USD from USA, clearly.

I understood perfectly. That is why I only commented when you told us your about your experience sending to other countries besides Argentina.

 

[billyarboles]

I've been using Moneygram for quite a while now. Transfers from my US account had no transaction fees if paid with my debit card and sent to a mobile wallet. The exchange rate was decent as well. Great for sending small amounts to myself and others so I can avoid having a large quantity of pesos and screw myself out of improving exchange rates (though admittedly not as much as a concern as before).

Was like that yesterday when I sent myself around 60k pesos. Just went to send another transfer and now they want US$4 for the transfer. Not sure if this is some temporary thing or a new policy, Kind of bummed. Now I have to find a new solution. Any other regular Moneygram user have a similar experience or hear anything about this?

 

[carride]

I've been using Moneygram for quite a while now. Transfers from my US account had no transaction fees if paid with my debit card and sent to a mobile wallet. The exchange rate was decent as well. Great for sending small amounts to myself and others so I can avoid having a large quantity of pesos and screw myself out of improving exchange rates (though admittedly not as much as a concern as before).

Was like that yesterday when I sent myself around 60k pesos. Just went to send another transfer and now they want US$4 for the transfer. Not sure if this is some temporary thing or a new policy, Kind of bummed. Now I have to find a new solution. Any other regular Moneygram user have a similar experience or hear anything about this?

I noticed the new fee this week as well.

I have been using MG for a year or so. I started when I noticed the Zero transfer fee + to virtual wallet + the speed of instant transfer when using US debit card instead of from bank ACH transfer. Only do once every month two with a few hundred USD.
Even though the XE rate is always lower than WU, the total cost for amount received is better with MG when factoring in the huge WU fee. Still better even when asked WU customer service for a 50% off fee promo.
What I see now is $7 MG fee though then they show a promo which knocks it down to $4, when using Debit card. If from ACH bank transfer then only $1.99 which I remember sometimes was slow. I have not done the math, but I expect it will still be slightly better than WU. Looks like they are trying to implement a frequent flyer type system where you gain points toward discounts on your next transfer.

 

[billyarboles]

I noticed the new fee this week as well.

I have been using MG for a year or so. I started when I noticed the Zero transfer fee + to virtual wallet + the speed of instant transfer when using US debit card instead of from bank ACH transfer. Only do once every month two with a few hundred USD.
Even though the XE rate is always lower than WU, the total cost for amount received is better with MG when factoring in the huge WU fee. Still better even when asked WU customer service for a 50% off fee promo.
What I see now is $7 MG fee though then they show a promo which knocks it down to $4, when using Debit card. If from ACH bank transfer then only $1.99 which I remember sometimes was slow. I have not done the math, but I expect it will still be slightly better than WU. Looks like they are trying to implement a frequent flyer type system where you gain points toward discounts on your next transfer.

Same experience; lower XE rate compared to WU, but better overall when factoring in fees. MG now wants a $4 fee for Debit Card > Mobile Wallet. The thing I liked about MG was that I could send someone a small amount without cost. I'd also rather send myself several smaller transfers in a month instead of one large amount so I can always get the most current XE rate. Is your last sentence (about a "frequent flyer" system) something you can across, or just what it looks like to you? They always offer me a discount code for 40% off, but I never bother since until now they haven't charged me any fees. Not sure how often they'll offer that discount. Never paid close attention (since there were no fees), but it seemed like a loyalty reward with an expiration date of a few weeks.

One thing I've found with WU is that if you don't use them for a while when you make your next transfer they waive the fee. But it's a one time waiver, because the next time you make a transfer they go back to charging. I try to save that option for when I'll be needing more than just the weekly expenses.

I miss the days (in other countries) where I could go to any number of ATMs, stick in my Chas. Schwab debit card, get crisp US bills or a better than the street XE rate, and not have to pay any fees to either Schwab or the local bank.

 

[billyarboles]

I just tried using MG for the first time in about a month. Everything was fine until I got to the last part where it confirms the transfer. Something something something Connection error.

Contacted MG by chat and they said no problems or changes on their end. Told the agent I was in Argentina and she said that's why I'm having problems - Argentina has no computerized MG. Told her I've never had a problem in several years making transfers from my PC in ARG. After wasting a half hour of my time she finally mentioned something about the "updated version" of their system. Sounds like this updated version detects your location, and if it's not in the US won't let you transfer. Since Argentina has no MG page to log onto to it sounds like MG is no longer an option if you're trying to send from ARG.

I tried going Incognito on Google but that didn't work. Anyone know of a potential hack around this? Not sure if a VPN would do the trick or if I just have to look for another way (hopefully cheaper than WU) to send funds here.

 

[Rich One]

Question for all MG users, can one send funds from a US bank account using a US debit card. So the beneficiary receives US dollars in a US dollar caja de ahorro Account ?
Many thanks

 

[Phatbuddha]

I've been using Moneygram for quite a while now. Transfers from my US account had no transaction fees if paid with my debit card and sent to a mobile wallet. The exchange rate was decent as well. Great for sending small amounts to myself and others so I can avoid having a large quantity of pesos and screw myself out of improving exchange rates (though admittedly not as much as a concern as before).

Was like that yesterday when I sent myself around 60k pesos. Just went to send another transfer and now they want US$4 for the transfer. Not sure if this is some temporary thing or a new policy, Kind of bummed. Now I have to find a new solution. Any other regular Moneygram user have a similar experience or hear anything about this?

Any Update on this ??? VPN doesn't work , So basically No more MG in Argentina ?

 

[billyarboles]

Question for all MG users, can one send funds from a US bank account using a US debit card. So the beneficiary receives US dollars in a US dollar caja de ahorro Account ?
Many thanks

I've used my debit card from my US bank to pay MG to make a transfer to someone in Peru who received US dollars - so it can be done. But obviously Peru (or anywhere else) isn't ARG.

I've never attempted to do the same in ARG because at the time I asked about doing so I was told it couldn't be done - recipient would need to receive pesos. Considering how rapidly and often things have been changing here lately I couldn't say if that's still the case or not.

 

[billyarboles]

Any Update on this ??? VPN doesn't work , So basically No more MG in Argentina ?

I had other things to do this afternoon so I didn't try anything past using an Incognito Window in Chrome.

Are you stating that VPN doesn't work - you've tried? Or was that part of a larger question on whether MG no longer is an option to send money to ARG? I ask because that's on my to do list for tomorrow. I don't currently use a VPN, but I'd be willing to if it's a workaround. I have no idea if a VPN will fool the MG system as to my location, but I might be willing to give it a try. I say might because coincidently my accountant informed me of a way I can bring in a sizeable amount of dollars into an ARG bank's dollar account (and then withdraw) so I may not even bother and just say bye to MG altogether.

 

[IamWaldo]

I had other things to do this afternoon so I didn't try anything past using an Incognito Window in Chrome.

Are you stating that VPN doesn't work - you've tried? Or was that part of a larger question on whether MG no longer is an option to send money to ARG? I ask because that's on my to do list for tomorrow. I don't currently use a VPN, but I'd be willing to if it's a workaround. I have no idea if a VPN will fool the MG system as to my location, but I might be willing to give it a try. I say might because coincidently my accountant informed me of a way I can bring in a sizeable amount of dollars into an ARG bank's dollar account (and then withdraw) so I may not even bother and just say bye to MG altogether.

buy a dedicated proxy.. costs $30 per year and you are done.

The big difference is.. a VPN might get blocked, because you share an IP. a dedicated proxy is far less likely to get blocked.