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Step one: confirm the recipient and the route
Start with the recipient's details exactly as their bank or pickup provider records them: full legal name, account number or IBAN, and the receiving country and currency. Worked example: Amara in Manchester wants to send 300 pounds to her brother in Lagos. She asks him for his bank name, account number and the spelling on his account, then chooses between bank deposit and cash pickup. A single mismatched digit or nickname can delay a payment, so she reads the details back to him before moving on. Saving the recipient only after that check prevents repeat errors on later transfers.
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Step two: compare the total cost and arrival time
Before approving anything, look at three numbers together: the fee, the exchange rate applied and the amount the recipient will actually receive. Amara sees a 3 pound fee, but the rate is slightly worse than the market rate, so the hidden margin matters as much as the visible fee. She compares two providers by the final naira amount, not the advertised fee. She also notes the delivery estimate, because a payment needed for rent on Friday cannot rely on a three-day option. Choosing the speed that matches the deadline avoids paying extra for urgency she does not need.
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Step three: pay, keep proof and confirm receipt
Fund the transfer with a method that suits the amount, remembering that bank transfers are often cheaper than cards but slower. Amara pays by bank transfer, then saves the confirmation number and a screenshot of the summary. She sends the reference to her brother so he can track it or quote it if the bank asks. Once the money lands, she asks him to confirm the amount received and compares it with the quote. If anything differs or the payment is late, the saved reference lets her contact support quickly with precise information instead of starting from scratch.