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Author Topic: How do you pay a Russian business for purchases online?  (Read 727 times)

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Offline mitspilot

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How do you pay a Russian business for purchases online?
« on: February 10, 2022, 11:13:13 AM »
Valentines Day is coming up and I've located a flower shop in my Russian girlfriend's neighborhood and have placed an order. The shop gave me their credit card # to pay, but we don't pay that way here. He didn't seem to know whether he could accept my Visa or MC. He offered Sberbank, VTB and Alfa-Bank.

When I was physically in Moscow, I used Apple Pay everywhere, but this shop doesn't accept it. Now that I'm back in the U.S., I don't know how to pay him.

How can I pay him?

Online andrewfi

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Re: How do you pay a Russian business for purchases online?
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2022, 11:18:58 AM »
Set up a Wise (formerly Transferwise) account. Pay through Wise direct to the requisite Russian bank. Payment is almost instant.

You could use your own bank account, but that might be more difficult and costly.

There are online flower delivery services in Russia. Google is your friend. I cannot make suggestions as I have not used such services in a very long time.

Here's a western facing online delivery service that uses local florists: https://www.flowersdeliveryrussia.com/
That's an example not a recommendation.
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Offline mitspilot

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Re: How do you pay a Russian business for purchases online?
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2022, 11:58:36 AM »
Thanks Andrew. I got it done via Wise.com.

The reason I avoid the bigger websites is they add their profit on top of the local shop and it is more often than not cheaper to work direct with the local business.


Online andrewfi

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Re: How do you pay a Russian business for purchases online?
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2022, 02:54:22 PM »
Good oh! Now you have a very handy way to manage international transactions. If you haven't already done so, I'd get their debit card for when you're on your travels. it'll save you a load of money!
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Re: How do you pay a Russian business for purchases online?
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2022, 03:27:41 PM »
Good oh! Now you have a very handy way to manage international transactions. If you haven't already done so, I'd get their debit card for when you're on your travels. it'll save you a load of money!

Thanks Andrew. I got it done via Wise.com.

The reason I avoid the bigger websites is they add their profit on top of the local shop and it is more often than not cheaper to work direct with the local business.


Yes good, glad you found a way to succeed at this!