Paying for my surgery

[treefrog]

I used xe.com to make a partial payment of my surgery bill. Unfortunately I didn't check my bank account before setting up the transaction, because the cash advance from my credit card posted to my account today. I could have made the payment for the entire amount, instead of the partial payment. And could have saved myself about $20 (possibly $45) in wire transfer fees.

There was a $20.59 wire transfer fee, for sending the payment in Euros. Then my bank charged me $25 for the wire transfer to xe.com. When I went into the bank, Bank of America by the way, the woman asked if it had to be wire transfer. Because it was going to another Bank of America, she could save me the $25 wire transfer fee, if they could just use ACH (automated clearing house). I tried calling them, but I didn't get through. I think it might be because they are on the west coast. I went ahead and sent the wire transfer.

I will be calling them though, to see if I can send the remainder of the payment that way instead. It is just as quick. And if it saves me any money whatsoever, without a difference in the amount of time it takes, then I need it.

But, I am not feeling as stressed as I was last week. I guess because I know the payments will get to them in time. And I won't have to reschedule my surgery.

[treefrog]

Yay! I got the email that my wire transfer has been sent to the bank in Cypress.

Now I just need to get the remainder taken care of. I'll do that this week, and have the money sent off to xe.com on Friday. I can arrange the transaction any time now, whenever I see the rate is good. Then I just have to get the money to xe.com within 72 hours.

Time to start watching the exchange rates.

[treefrog]

And now I have received a confirmation from the contact in Cypress that they received the wire.

That's a mighty impressive turn-around time. I am very happy with their services at xe.com.

[Justin]

And now I have received a confirmation from the contact in Cypress that they received the wire.

That's a mighty impressive turn-around time. I am very happy with their services at xe.com.

Wow! This is great news Cathy. :) XE is really fast, and their customer support is great too.

[treefrog]

So, things haven't quite been settled. It appears that the bank receiving the funds takes out a Euro 15 fee for each incoming wire transfer (which I was not aware of). So, after my two transactions, I am short Euro 30.

I have written to ProSpine, and to the consulting firm that handles the payments, to explain what has happened. And to ask if I can pay the remaining Euro 30 in person, or use PayPal (which is how I paid for the evaluation fee). Because if I have to do another transaction with xe.com, it will cost me double just to account for the fees.

Has anyone else run into this problem? I wish it had been made clear, so I could have taken it into account. This is just more stress that I do not need two days before leaving for Germany.

[Justin]

Cathy, don't stress. Just send them an email (like you did) to let them know you will be paying the 30 euros in person once you arrive at the ProSpine clinic.

No worries. :)

So, things haven't quite been settled. It appears that the bank receiving the funds takes out a Euro 15 fee for each incoming wire transfer (which I was not aware of). So, after my two transactions, I am short Euro 30.

I have written to ProSpine, and to the consulting firm that handles the payments, to explain what has happened. And to ask if I can pay the remaining Euro 30 in person, or use PayPal (which is how I paid for the evaluation fee). Because if I have to do another transaction with xe.com, it will cost me double just to account for the fees.

Has anyone else run into this problem? I wish it had been made clear, so I could have taken it into account. This is just more stress that I do not need two days before leaving for Germany.

[treefrog]

Thanks Justin. I hope it's as easy as you make it sound. I haven't heard anything yet, but that's not surprising. I think I probably sent the email near the end of the work day.

[trkdoc714]

Cathy,

I think it's a great sign that you're more worried over a few dollars than your surgery! It shows that you are totally comfortable with your decision and that's probably the most important thing to take into surgery with you.

Good luck!

Bob

[KBear]

Cathy,

I think it's a great sign that you're more worried over a few dollars than your surgery! It shows that you are totally comfortable with your decision and that's probably the most important thing to take into surgery with you.

Good luck!

Bob

I couldn't agree more. I didn't get nervous until the night before. That's when it hit me that I was really having surgery. Even with that, I was more worried about not being drugged enough, not the actual surgery.

[treefrog]

Wow! Thanks for pointing that out Bob and Kathy, and you know you are right. I am very confident that this is the right thing for me to do. :)

Kathy I know the medication issue, and for me specifically the nausea from anesthesia as well, is going to be utmost on my mind going into it to. I don't like to be in pain, and I will always do whatever I can to keep from getting hurt. I don't like to think that there is going to be pain, guaranteed. I am just going to hope it is kept to a minimum, but I will have to rely on others to take care of it for me. And I know they will do the best that they can.