transfering money internationally ?

[bigbadblue]

 Been trying to buy a part from down under. we have a discrepancy over what the exchange rate should be. We agreed on 1500 dollars US. I sent the money paypal, which he refunded, saying it was 160 short. After some research I see paypal skims two and a half percent. But that is only 37.50. After some checking around on different methods of transfer. I think paypal may still be the best as all them skim a percentage. We disagree on what the rate of exchange is. I got mine from Goggle which on Friday was 1.42, the highest it has been, which is 2130 Aus. He claims the rate if he was to send 1500 US here would cost him 2232 Aus., or .67. I don't know where he is getting his info. Trade goes on with Australia all the time. Where do we find the official rate of exchange that we both can agree on? Thanks in advance.    Stephen.

[Joe-JDC]

I help support a Medical Missionary Doctor in another country on a monthly basis, and I wire him money through the credit union I am a member of through Western Union.  It is called a money transfer, and he gets the whole amount from Western Union there in his country.  I have to pay a fee depending on how much I send, but for $1500., it is roughly $30.50 through WU.  If you use WU directly, it may be more, but the credit union offers this to members for the smaller fee.  You have to set up test question, and then verify before he can receive the monies.  I send a money transfer confirmation number by a different method, but it will work if you take the time.  Joe-JDC