Cheques to America?
Discussion
I've got a Nationwide FlexAccount (just the plain one with the cash card) and might want to send a cheque to America. Assuming they take payment in ponds sterling (haven't found out yet), will it work fine to just write the cheque normally and send it there, or does that only work in the UK with a UK bank account? Can't seem to find anything on Nationwide's website.
You can't send a cheque to America, but you can send a Check 
I receive payment from a US customer, who pays via a 'check' in US dollars. I just pay it into my account, the bank takes a cut, and Bob's your uncle. I'd imagine its the same in the US.
>> Edited by Parrot of Doom on Wednesday 18th January 17:47
I receive payment from a US customer, who pays via a 'check' in US dollars. I just pay it into my account, the bank takes a cut, and Bob's your uncle. I'd imagine its the same in the US.
>> Edited by Parrot of Doom on Wednesday 18th January 17:47
m1spw said:
What about paypal?
Otherwise why not ask your bank if they can make a special arrangement so if you send a check/cheque it all goes smoothly?
Nah, paypal doesn't look like an option either, it appears to be cash, cheque or credit card. I think I might have to ask them about it as you say. Or get a credit card (which I'm not too keen on).
>> Edited by Matthew C on Wednesday 18th January 20:53
Sometime back I had a question about wiring some money and got this useful reply from Ernest M:
"I don't know how much you are trying to send, but you may want to try these people:
www.moneygram.com/default.htm
They do have a London agent for international wire transfers. They are listed as New Call Box on their web site (use the locate agent feature). We use these people in my business here in Orlando to facilitate a bill payment method for some of our clients and can assure you that they are quite reputable.
I called my friend that works for the ABA this morning only to find out that he is on vacation right now (bank holiday in the US at the end of the week so he took the preceeding days off).
ErnestM"
While I didn't use these guys, in fact I got the wire to work OK, they do seem to be a viable option. This "Moneygram" is a cash to cash transfer, you turn in pounds in UK and they will pay out dollars here in US. They do take a fee but it's not too steep.
Or, if your correspondent is in a position to take a credit card, that would work although they nick you more lately for the currency conversion.
"I don't know how much you are trying to send, but you may want to try these people:
www.moneygram.com/default.htm
They do have a London agent for international wire transfers. They are listed as New Call Box on their web site (use the locate agent feature). We use these people in my business here in Orlando to facilitate a bill payment method for some of our clients and can assure you that they are quite reputable.
I called my friend that works for the ABA this morning only to find out that he is on vacation right now (bank holiday in the US at the end of the week so he took the preceeding days off).
ErnestM"
While I didn't use these guys, in fact I got the wire to work OK, they do seem to be a viable option. This "Moneygram" is a cash to cash transfer, you turn in pounds in UK and they will pay out dollars here in US. They do take a fee but it's not too steep.
Or, if your correspondent is in a position to take a credit card, that would work although they nick you more lately for the currency conversion.
joecooool said:
Just write the check in dollars. Your bank will then apply the conversion.
IIRC I can't do that, as my building society will only allow me to write them in pounds sterling.
That moneygram thing looks interesting, dunno whether the company in question will be prepared to send someone to plod along to the agent to pick up a small amount of cash though.
That might actually be the answer. I'm just not keen on cash in the post.You could always buy some dollar Travellers Cheques at your local bank, building society or travel agent and send them. Much better than sending cash and keeps transaction costs to a minimum. As good as cash in the sellers hands. Obviously you need to to send an amount rounded to the face value of the cheques; typical minimum $20 denomination.
BTW don't forget there are tough restrictions on sending money between countries. Clamp down on terrorism, money laundering etc. If the amount is large you need to check this out carefully to avoid potential trouble.
BTW don't forget there are tough restrictions on sending money between countries. Clamp down on terrorism, money laundering etc. If the amount is large you need to check this out carefully to avoid potential trouble.
I have suppliers in the USA, and other countries, that I pay in USD and would normally pay by Bank Transfer for which the fee is £39, however if the amount to pay is small - say less than £200 then it is cheaper to get a UK bank to issue a Dollar cheque, Much like a Bankers draft, the fee varies depending on the amount but IIRC for less than £100 (ish) the fee is (was) around £15, otherwise Paypal or send them cash.
I have received payments from overseas by cheque in various currencies and my bank will process them for a fee, but you won't find many US banks will want a £ cheque, or £ cash either for that matter...
I have received payments from overseas by cheque in various currencies and my bank will process them for a fee, but you won't find many US banks will want a £ cheque, or £ cash either for that matter...
The absolute simplist way to pay money to the US is to go down to your NatWest branch and get a credit card.
It will take 90 days to clear a foreign currency cheque.
Your alternatives are to see if you can use something like PayPal or Neteller - but you will need to send in various documentation when opening those accounts to pay registered merchants through their schemes.
Really - just go, get a credit card; pay it off in full at the end of the month; then, if you don't want to keep a credit card, cut it up and throw it away.
It will take 90 days to clear a foreign currency cheque.
Your alternatives are to see if you can use something like PayPal or Neteller - but you will need to send in various documentation when opening those accounts to pay registered merchants through their schemes.
Really - just go, get a credit card; pay it off in full at the end of the month; then, if you don't want to keep a credit card, cut it up and throw it away.
I sell stuff on ebay and get checks from all over the world. I've been paid in everything from Rubles, Pounds, hell even Chinese Yuans. I get a check and stick it in the bank. My bank converts it at the daily rate of the date of deposit and doesn't treat it any different than a check from down the street. Overseas checks clear in the same three days or less that any other domestic check does.
All these banks are connected now, if your bank is charging you more than they do for a domestic check, you are geting screwed. Perhaps you should look for a better bank.
PS - I don't know why anyone wouldn't have a Paypal account, thats the greatest thing ever.
All these banks are connected now, if your bank is charging you more than they do for a domestic check, you are geting screwed. Perhaps you should look for a better bank.
PS - I don't know why anyone wouldn't have a Paypal account, thats the greatest thing ever.
los angeles said:
Why not do a wire transfer? It will probably be quicker and is converted for you to dollars so the recipient will be happy to.
Do to drug trafficing anything over $9,999.00 transfered, deposited, or withdrawn has been checked since long before 9/11.
America has a ton of small banks most of them are not "corrospondant banks" of the major American banks, even those with N.A. after their name.
I wrote myself a test cheque $1,000 a few years ago, I ended tracing it myself after complaining to the Comptroller of Currency. After I "pushed it along" it arrived with $200+ of charges.
The charges were waived after I complained. It took three months.
The $10,000 reporting rule has been in effect a long time and is nothing to be concerned about.
Wire transfer
American Express gift Cheque (in $ is better)
Note incoming wire transfers to the US do carry a charge in addition to what you pay to send it. This is irritating because you think you are paying someone $100 but they only rec $95.
That's an example I've never wired myself $100!
I wrote myself a test cheque $1,000 a few years ago, I ended tracing it myself after complaining to the Comptroller of Currency. After I "pushed it along" it arrived with $200+ of charges.
The charges were waived after I complained. It took three months.
The $10,000 reporting rule has been in effect a long time and is nothing to be concerned about.
Wire transfer
American Express gift Cheque (in $ is better)
Note incoming wire transfers to the US do carry a charge in addition to what you pay to send it. This is irritating because you think you are paying someone $100 but they only rec $95.
That's an example I've never wired myself $100!
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