Paying for surgery in Germany - Emergency

[treefrog]

I think things must have changed since 2003. I got an email back from ProSpine, saying they wanted the payment by wire transfer, and they want it by May 18.

I immediately started to put our second plan into action. Part of the money should be easy to come by, but part of it is coming from a promo offer on one of my credit cards, for a low APR balance transfer. (All of these would be paid back immediately upon getting the loan.) So, I called to have them transfer the funds from the credit card to my checking account (both the same bank)....at the end of the call she tells me it will take 4-6 business days for it to be posted to my account.

That leaves 0 days with which to set up the currency trade, wire transfers through xe.com.

I think I am going to have a nervous break down, or throw up.

[Terry Newton]

I know it's easy to say; "Trust God" but, that is going to be the best plan here. God works through others and you will find him in the smallest of details. I struggled with getting a birth certificate for my passport as I was adopted and California is the worst state to get anything out of due to privacy concerns. My First Communion card, with the Cardinals embossed stamp was whet was used, and accepted, by the State of Michigan, along with my Senator's intervention which got me my passport in time for the surgery date which was already lined up.

God got us there for my successful surgery.

Take a few deep breaths, relax and trust that it will all work out.

Terry Newton

[Justin]

So, I called to have them transfer the funds from the credit card to my checking account (both the same bank)....at the end of the call she tells me it will take 4-6 business days for it to be posted to my account.

That leaves 0 days with which to set up the currency trade, wire transfers through xe.com.

I think I am going to have a nervous break down, or throw up.

Cathy: I'm sorry. Maybe give this a try.

Call XE.com tomorrow and ask them if they can set up the wire transfer for the "deadline" date you need the money to be in ProSpine's hands (without the funds currently in your bank account)--just give them all the necessary information for the wire: bank account info, beneficiary, etc.

Then, see if your bank can arrange the withdrawal for the wire in advance so that the instant the credit card transfer hits your bank account they can somehow expedite the transfer of funds to XE.com.

This is a shot in the dark, but maybe they could get everything "prearranged" like this with your bank so the beneficiary gets your payment fast (and, of course, with the current exchange rate at the time the exchange occurs) without the 5-7 business day processing that is quoted by XE.com on their site.

Good luck!

[treefrog]

Okay, I freaked for a little bit more, when I got a reply from ProSpine. They want the ~half (what I have available) before the 18th, and then the remainder before I see them on the 24th. Or they would have to reschedule the surgery.

So, my neck and shoulders got all tense again. And so early in the day too .

But, then I called xe.com, just to ask questions. He reassured me. Saying even if I were to wire all the funds at once, on 5/15 (which is latest I expect the credit card advance to be posted to my acct.), there is a very good possibility it would get there by 5/18, and definitely no problem to get there before the 24th. All on the assumption I would choose wire transfer at both ends (sending to them, and having them send to Cyprus).

I also called my bank, to find out what the fee would be to wire transfer money to a bank account in Canada (which is where xe.com is located). My bank charges a set fee of $45 for an international wire transfer. Then I asked him what the current exchange rate was to Euros, which was a better rate than xe.com (like saving me $3k). Of course what he told me he said was from memory of the last time he looked. And I didn't ask about any fees for doing a currency exchange, they probably charge for that too. But I will definitely call the bank, before agreeing to the transaction at xe.com, and make sure I am getting the best deal.

Bottom line though, I don't think there will be any difficulties in getting the funds to them by the deadline. So, I am feeling relieved...now I just wish my body would respond to it, instead of still being all tense.

[treefrog]

Hmm, okay I just realized that the exchange rates I was tracking, were the mid-market rates. So, it really isn't accurate as far as making decisions based off of. I will make sure to set up the trade, to get the real rate, and then calling the bank before confirming the trade.

I think it's funny though, that I am referring to this as a trade, it feels like I'm buying and selling stocks or something.

[Justin]

Great news Cathy! I know the Euro to Dollar has been really high across the board. It dipped for a few days with the Swine Flu "media freak out," but it went back up with the current US housing market report.

What for hidden fees and other nonsense some of the banks try to pull. By the way, XE's transaction was pretty quick for me (3-4 business days).

Good luck!

[treefrog]

Thanks Justin. Your advice, and just being there has been very comforting to me.

I am convinced now that everything will be done in time for me to have my surgery when it is scheduled.

But, man I would just advise anyone, not to leave it this close. It is way too stressful, on top of all the stress involved with having surgery overseas.

[Justin]

Thanks Justin. Your advice, and just being there has been very comforting to me.

I am convinced now that everything will be done in time for me to have my surgery when it is scheduled.

But, man I would just advise anyone, not to leave it this close. It is way too stressful, on top of all the stress involved with having surgery overseas.

Very good advice. Tie up as many loose ends as you can before your trip: blood work, pre-op physical, finances, etc.

Surgery overseas sounds daunting, but I tell people if I could do it on my own at 23 years old--anyone can.

Keep me updated as your surgery date gets closer.