[pct-l] Travelers cheques/checks

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

Does anyone out there know what the consequences would/could be for offering our address to be utilized by hikers needing a U.S. address to open a bank account?  I'd like to offer this, but am not sure what the implications might be.

L-Rod


-----Original Message-----
>From: Roland Horth <roland at evolutionzdesign.com>
>Sent: Apr 9, 2007 1:30 PM
>To: Craig Stanton <craigstanton at mac.com>, pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Travelers cheques/checks
>
>Craig, I also got hit with lots of fees while traveling with my NZ credit
>card (and my eftpos too, which I did use in a number of countries, National
>Bank eftpos worked, Kiwi Bank did not).  I think the only way to keep from
>getting hit too hard is to either use travelers checks or look into opening
>a US account with a credit/debit card attached to it...but for that you'd
>probably need a US address and then do a wire transfer.  The HSBC idea might
>not be a bad one in NZ...maybe open a foreign currency account with a card
>from them? It's funny reading the American replies...they have no idea how
>banking works in New Zealand.  Cheers, Roland feesOn 4/9/07, Craig Stanton <
>craigstanton at mac.com> wrote:
>>
>> Wow, that got a lot of advice just during my drive to work. Thanks to all
>> those who emailed me off list too.
>>
>> Something to explain. Since I don't have an American bank account I don't
>> think my debit-card is any use over there. In NZ we have a system called
>> Eftpos (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) and that isn't going to
>> work in the American ATMs. It is unfortunately standard for the banks here
>> to charge a fee for foreign-exchange, even though it is all electronic and
>> they don't have to handle different sorts of cash :-(
>>
>> And something to ask. I would never have thought of useing travelers
>> cheques at a regular shop. When I have used them in Europe you need to find
>> an official place, a bank or Bureau De Change, that takes the cheques, takes
>> your passport, makes sure you are the person in the picture and the cheques
>> have your passport number in them and then gives you cash. Regular stores
>> can't do this because how whould they then turn your cheque into their bank
>> account?
>>
>> And really, they refuse to take $50s? Isn't it legal tender so they have
>> to take it? I sure am glad I asked this question. Sure I'd have some small
>> change but I figured bigger notes meant less paper. Do the ATMs give out
>> large bills so I'll have to find some kind local business to change the
>> notes when ever I get cash out?
>>
>> ~Craig
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at 07:50AM, "Jeff Moorehead" <
>> jeffmoorehead1 at cox.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >Craig,
>> > I also thought it would be a good idea to carry travelers checks instead
>> of
>> >cash. This had worked well in the past, but unfortunately modern society
>> has
>> >replaced them with the check/ATM card. Most places would eventually take
>> the
>> >traveller's checks and  regard them with a "same as cash" status, but it
>> >always took the approval of the manager because most people didn't know
>> what
>> >a traveler's check was. However, I learned from a few of the more savvy
>> >establishments that check fraud is an issue here, what with these
>> >'new-fangled' scanners and printers. Think about it, when was the last
>> time
>> >you saw Carl Muldon saying "don't leave home without them"? I fear they
>> may
>> >have gone the way of the saber tooth cat...
>> >Whiptail
>> >
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