I want to transfer money to Italy. Maybe couple hundred dollars. Could
you tell me what is the best and cheapest way to send money? I don't
want to use normal bank's wire transfer. it is too expensive if I just
want to transfer a small amount of money. They charge $50 for the wire
transfering fee. is there any other better and safer way to do it?

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 28 Sep 2006 11:56 PDT

Whom are you transferring the money to?

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Clarification of Question by jack4638-ga on 28 Sep 2006 18:34 PDT

Just friend at Italy. I ask him to buy stuff for me.

I wonder if Paypal might be a solution?  I'm not sure, but it might be the answer?

Another way of sending money is by Western Union.
You tell the receiver the Money Transfer Control Number. They give
that number at any Western Union Agency office in their country and
show their ID. They can collect the money immediately (subject to
office opening hours and time difference).

IMPORTANT: Only use Western Union for someone you trust very well.

www.westernunion.com

Cost Examples: (USA to Italy)
$20 to send $100
$27 to send $200
$34 to send $300
These fees are for online transactions. (There is a drop down menu to
select the State, so perhaps the fee may vary depending on the State;
these fees are for Alabama and Alaska).

You can check out the fees for cash transactions at an agency office.
Find a location near you here:
https://wumt.westernunion.com/info/osMoneyTransferLocation.asp

You could just send a check (in dollars) and have your friend cash it
at his bank.  He'd probably have to deposit it first and wait for it
to clear. Of course it would be deposited in Euro and there might be a
conversion fee. Or you could get a Euro check at your bank in the US.
I've used the Italian mails for years with no losses.

Also the check has working fees.... (from 5$ to 10$ and 15 days of
waiting for "OK TO PAY"

The cheapest way is to send one envelope with money, through the
u.s.mail or with UPS, DHL... but is unsafe!!!

The safest way is paypal, no dubt!