the problem with the international checks are the high charges. Minimum here in
Germany is around DM 30,- (US-$ 20). If you want to pay an invoice of hundreds
of $, the charge is no problem, but if you only want to pay an invoice of US-$
50 or 100, the bank charge for the check makes the parts you purchased much more
expensive.
Regards
Andreas Mehlhorn
Braunschweig (Brunswick), Germany
===================================
Hi Chuck......
The same problem with what are called 'fly-by-night', operators has
happened in the UK. To be able to take on a merchant account for
accepting credit cards, requires that the applicant must be able to
prove authenticity in many ways as well as a regular stable business
bank acccount, that can be drawn upon in the case of a credit refund.
The original posted comment about Australian cheques, however I am happy
to say is not true. There is hardly a bank in the world that will not
take a personal Australian cheque. I have been cashing them every month
for many years (payments for my design royalties). I have cashed them
through several English banks, the Fargo Bank in California and several
NZ banks. However take note you have to pay foreign transfer charges,
which varies from bank to bank. And it's these charges that have to be
added to the original cost whenever making a purchase this way. The
problems associated with assessing these charges at some banks is what
puts off many businesses from accepting a foreign personal cheque.
My best one to date was.....a personal cheque drawn on a bank in 'The
Socialist Republic of Vanuatu', to be paid in Australian
dollars......which I cashed in my Californian account !!!!
regards
Colin Brookes
Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS)
colbco@powerlink.co.uk