Money transfer troubles - rant and help needed!

For Christmas, my mom deposited $2000 into my US bank account, which I am now trying to get into my UK bank account. I am having an absolute MARE!

My Western Union experience has been atrocious. I first tried to transfer the money from my bank in the US to my bank account in UK (using my name), and that got declined because they couldn't verify the payment as I don't (or didn't think I had one) have a US telephone number to be contacted on. I swear everyone I spoke to was having a heart attack when I tried to explain that I was transferring money to myself.
 
I then got a little bit smarter and put in my Skype telephone number to be contacted on (it's a US number) and changed the funds to be transferred to a joint account (using my husband's name). Again declined. After spending about 4 hours in as many days on the phone to Western Union and my bank and being passed from department to department, I was finally able to get someone to understand my problem and they suggested that I use full names instead of initials. Perhaps this is my fault and me being stupid, but it says that you should put in the names as they appear on the account. I thought this meant how it appears on bank cards and statements. Very wrong apparently. So I can try again on Saturday, but seriously Western Union has been no help whatsoever.

I can't use Transferwise because it doesn't support the state where my bank account is.

I've had a look at xe.com, xoom, and paypal. Any others that people can suggest? What have people found the best option is? What are the fees like?

I don't really want to send copies of documents anywhere for verification - though I don't mind using my US driving license.

Sorry for the long rant...but help, please!
Thank you

I used Xoom and had no problems with them to transfer money from a US account to my boyfriends UK account.  I did have to go through some sort of verification call, but it was quick and they just did a standard check of prior addresses etc.  After that I could transfer money right away and it went straight through quickly.  I think I was only charged $5 on $2000 sent through.  Would absolutely use them again as it was so easy.

I tried first with XE, but they wanted paperwork verification and the like, so I switchecx.

Why did you try Western Union? I would think that's the most expensive and annoying method. Use PayPal or have your mother wire transfer it from the US directly to your UK account.

Use PayPal or have your mother wire transfer it from the US directly to your UK account.

Yes, these are my suggestions as well. 

Hi Aricarai,

As per above and PM - see if you can transfer the $2K into your USA based Paypal account. You can then transfer that to your UK Paypal account. Or, look to see if you can transfer the $2K from your USA bank account to your UK Paypal account. You might have to 'link' your UK Paypal account first though and that might require a call to UK paypal support.

Otherwise, its the usual, do an international transfer from your USA bank to your UK one and pay the processing charges. $2000 USD isn't really enough to get any of the better exchange rates and currently, the rates are favourable if you wish to bring USD to the UK by converting it!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Why did you try Western Union? I would think that's the most expensive and annoying method. Use PayPal or have your mother wire transfer it from the US directly to your UK account.

I've used it before in the States and it was always the fastest method. But you're right, geeta, I am finding that it is annoying - although, the fees aren't bad - only $7.50 charge.

I would have my mother wire transfer it, though it was given as a gift, and I don't want to seem ungrateful by transferring it back and asking her to send it to my UK account. Although my mom realises what a pain in the bum this whole process has been.

Will look into Paypal again though.

Thank you all! 

Absolute worst case - you write a check on your US account, take it to the UK bank, and wait for the $$ to become ££. Not the best, not the fastest, and not the greatest Fx rate, but it can be done.

Typically to do a bank-to-bank transfer you have to be physically present to initiate the transfer - so you would need to be in the US. Options suggested by other posters (such as Paypal) would also work.