I am sorry to hear about this experience. There is an inherent problem here -- using bank transfers for small transactions will always be difficult. You may have some fixed fees [for example, a bank may charge $50 to receive a transfer of $100 or of $10,000], and also some fat exchange rates [where the bank earns a little extra]. On such transactions, a good old fashioned check or even cash may be the best way to go. If you are going to get ripped off, you will probably get ripped off anyway . . . but why use bank wire which is certain to result in poor economics?

Jeff

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

: Hello Kendall,

: I understand well that you and why you've got a "bad
: taste" this weekend ....
: But, I agree with Mark here, and must say my first thought reading
: his response was:
: Well put, Mark, no one could've said it any better! (as so often,
: btw...)

: Kendall, I am responding from Germany. ... I have had this kind of
: troubles too. Before "Paypal-times".
: Try not to take it too hard, and just learn from this experience,
: I'd suggest.
: Of course you're p*#d, yeah, but I'd tend to be upset about these
: insane bank fees (and those gangsters/robbers charging them) and
: not the German seller.
: He, I think, could've solved it more elegantly with you, but then
: again....maybe he was inexperienced too about these methods.
: Knowing each other (as Mark and Abel in his example) certainly
: always helps.
: I've bought from the UK (note: another currency!....extra
: fees!....) before Paypal was common, and went through the same
: thing you did.
: ....

: Hope this helped a little....
: Have a good Sunday, and bring some sweeter taste to your mouth
: again, to enjoy the day. :-)
: Cheers,
: Olaf