哪种收款方式经济？

Zhoudan wrote:

Western Union Business Solutions: http://business.westernunion.com.

费用肯定比电汇便宜。可以由公司对私人银行帐户付款，付款方式跟电汇一样。



[Edited at 2013-05-01 02:05 GMT]

jim summer wrote:


这次美国这家走电汇,700多刀,对方支付了费用，到我这也共扣了12刀，不知道这费用是按打款次数扣还是按比例扣的，如每次固定就好了

Domenico Zhou wrote:

大家接触过使用 ACH transfer 的公司吗，与 wire transfer 相比有何不同。

最近接触到一家只使用 ACH 的公司，他们不用 paypal 之类的支付平台，每30天支付一次，而且不能设置 payment threshold。

据说 bank charges 会低一些，但又提到双方各自支付一部分相关手续费，大概会有多少呢，实在有点困惑。

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_Clearing_House

Automated Clearing House (ACH) is an electronic network for financial transactions in the United States. ACH processes large volumes of credit and debit transactions in batches. ACH credit transfers include direct deposit payroll and vendor payments. ACH direct debit transfers include consumer payments on insurance premiums, mortgage loans, and other kinds of bills. Debit transfers also include new applications such as the point-of-purchase (POP) check conversion pilot program sponsored by NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association. Both the government and the commercial sectors use ACH payments. Businesses increasingly use ACH online to have customers pay, rather than via credit or debit cards.

Domenico Zhou wrote:


最近接触到一家只使用 ACH 的公司，他们不用 paypal 之类的支付平台，

wherestip wrote:

... if this company is not flexible in using alternative payment methods, they're basically only working with U.S. residents.

wherestip wrote:



Anyway, the comments I made above, although may seem irrelevant to what you were asking, basically boil down to one point that is: The ACH transfer method is a payment option limited to freelance translators residing in the U.S.; if this company is not flexible in using alternative payment methods, they're basically only working with U.S. residents.

Domenico Zhou wrote:


谢谢你的建议，wherestip。看来我还得与他们好好沟通下，看看是否可以顺利收到款项。

另外，在他们的 Invoicing Procedures 里却写道：ACH payment is possible only to non-US bank accounts. We do not make Electronic Funds Transfer
payments within the United States, where the only payment method available is via check.

National payments system

The Federal Reserve plays an important role in the U.S. payments system. The twelve Federal Reserve Banks provide banking services to depository institutions and to the federal government. For depository institutions, they maintain accounts and provide various payment services, including collecting checks, electronically transferring funds, and distributing and receiving currency and coin. For the federal government, the Reserve Banks act as fiscal agents, paying Treasury checks; processing electronic payments; and issuing, transferring, and redeeming U.S. government securities.[52]

In passing the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980, Congress reaffirmed its intention that the Federal Reserve should promote an efficient nationwide payments system. The act subjects all depository institutions, not just member commercial banks, to reserve requirements and grants them equal access to Reserve Bank payment services. It also encourages competition between the Reserve Banks and private-sector providers of payment services by requiring the Reserve Banks to charge fees for certain payments services listed in the act and to recover the costs of providing these services over the long run.

The Federal Reserve plays a vital role in both the nation's retail and wholesale payments systems, providing a variety of financial services to depository institutions. Retail payments are generally for relatively small-dollar amounts and often involve a depository institution's retail clients—individuals and smaller businesses. The Reserve Banks' retail services include distributing currency and coin, collecting checks, and electronically transferring funds through the automated clearinghouse system. By contrast, wholesale payments are generally for large-dollar amounts and often involve a depository institution's large corporate customers or counterparties, including other financial institutions. The Reserve Banks' wholesale services include electronically transferring funds through the Fedwire Funds Service and transferring securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies, and certain other entities through the Fedwire Securities Service. Because of the large amounts of funds that move through the Reserve Banks every day, the System has policies and procedures to limit the risk to the Reserve Banks from a depository institution's failure to make or settle its payments.

The Federal Reserve Banks began a multi-year restructuring of their check operations in 2003 as part of a long-term strategy to respond to the declining use of checks by consumers and businesses and the greater use of electronics in check processing. The Reserve Banks will have reduced the number of full-service check processing locations from 45 in 2003 to 4 by early 2011.[53]

INTRODUCTION TO ACH PROCESSING

"PROCESSING YOUR FUNDS AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT"


This is an inside look at electronic payment processing through the Automated Clearing House network and is for educational purposes only. There is no warranty, expressed or implied in connection with making this information available. Electronic Funds Corporation is in no way liable nor responsible for omissions or errors, herein.

The Automated Clearing House (ACH) is an electronic payment network used by individuals, businesses, financial institutions and government organizations. Electronic ACH payments provide better cash management capabilities and lower costs than traditional paper payments. The nationwide network exchanges funds and information throughout the 50 states as well as the U.S. territories and Canada with participation by over 98% of the nation's financial institutions, including thousands of savings banks and credit unions. Efforts are underway for the development of a worldwide ACH Network -the Worldwide Automated Transaction Clearing House (W.A.T.C.H).


The ACH network allows funds to be electronically debited or credited to a company's or individual's deposit account. Currently these deposit accounts include checking and savings accounts. As of September 15, 2000, ACH credit transactions may be directed to loan accounts and ACH debit and credit transactions to financial institution general ledger accounts. ACH transactions carry basic entry details such as the individual name (except Point-of-Purchase transactions), financial institution routing number, account number, amount and effective date for the transaction. Additional payment information may be sent in expanded record formats called addenda records. The addenda may include payment-related information such as invoice number or shipping advice.

wherestip wrote:

Domenico,

Okay, here is some further info I found on this ...


http://www.achnetwork.com/introtoach.html



Maybe the worldwide ACH Network is already up and running - what is referred to as W.A.T.C.H. In that case, all you need to do is go to your bank in China, and make sure it accepts ACH transfers.


p.s. Please ignore what I said about the potential client possibly trying to pull a fast one. In all likelihood they are legit.


[Edited at 2013-06-29 02:51 GMT]