Buying Dutch Museumkaarts from the US?

November 18, 2015 7:04 PM

I live in the US and I want to buy a pair of Museumkaarts (multi-museum passes) as gifts for a newly married couple who are about to move to the Netherlands. The website is set up to support purchase only with a Dutch address, which I do have for the couple, but also a Dutch bank account, which I don't have. Their customer service couldn't offer any alternatives. Is there a way to make this happen?

I've thought of two options, either of which I need help with...
1. Maybe there are established Netherlands-based intermediaries who deal with this kind of thing? E.g., a travel agency with offices in both countries? I've tried this route somewhat, with no luck so far.
2. Maybe I could find an individual living in the Netherlands who would be willing to make the purchase for a fee? But I'd also need a way to ensure that once I paid them, they'd follow through. Would I want an escrow service for something that will be ~$130 plus the intermediary's fee? Which one?

I'd ideally like the cards sent to the couple directly, as would happen if I had a Dutch bank account. As a second choice, I wouldn't mind mailing the couple a picture of the cards myself, saying they're a gift, with some way of them getting the actual cards (already paid for by me) after that -- I've read they can be picked up in person at many of the participating museums.

posted by daisyace to Grab Bag (8 answers total)

You could try posting on Jobs, I know there are Mefites in the Netherlands.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 7:25 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]

You could try on /r/amsterdam or /r/thenetherlands. Of course you need to be careful giving 120 euros to a stranger on the internet. The cards are also not technically transferable. You're correct, the cards can only be purchased online using iDeal.
posted by humboldt32 at 7:40 PM on November 18, 2015

You could try a travel agent or just give them the money with a card & a to-be-used-for.
posted by dame at 9:03 PM on November 18, 2015

Best answer: You could try contacting the Dutch Tourism Board, but I'm pretty sure you can only buy museumkaarts in-person or online with iDeal. I agree that posting this to Metafilter Jobs is a good idea. I live in the NL and I'd do it for free.
posted by neushoorn at 10:30 PM on November 18, 2015

Best answer: Feel free to mail me if you want local help with this.
posted by SpacemanRed at 2:43 AM on November 19, 2015

Best answer: I can help you out, if you'd decide to trust a stranger. I live in the Netherlands and would be happy to buy the cards for you (at no extra cost, naturally). I fear Paypal or normal banks will want some commission though.
posted by Skyanth at 2:44 AM on November 19, 2015

Response by poster: Wow, Netherlands-based MeFites are extra-awesome. Thank you for the multiple offers of help! Funny thing about this place is that yes, I think I will feel comfortable trusting an internet stranger with $130+. If another answer comes in with a way to do this without inconveniencing a generous MeFite, great. But otherwise I'll take it to MeMail shortly. Thank you!!
posted by daisyace at 5:02 AM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: The museumkaarten have been sent! A million thanks to Skyanth, who so graciously persevered through a rather more involved process than either of us expected when she volunteered. SpacemanRed, neushoorn, and the MeFite who MeMailed me (you know who you are), even though I didn't end up taking you up on it, I very much appreciate your willingness to help, too.
posted by daisyace at 5:20 AM on November 21, 2015