Can I use a personal cheque in the States?

[Berger_4_]

Basically, that's my question. I wanna mail a cheque to a friend who lives in Ohio, and I've got personal cheques. After today's little excursion to the bank and discovering they charge me 6.50 for every certified cheque I want, I would really prefer not having to buy anything else...Know what I mean?

Oh and if it helps at all, I'm with ATB, and I just have ol' plain jane personal cheques.

Thanks for the help!

[ken0042]

Go to Canada Post and get a US dollar money order.

I think technically you can write a cheque, but it could take anywhere from 7-60 days to clear.

Or send money with Paypal.

[nfotiu]

Sending an American a Canadian cheque would be like paying a debt with a bag of pennies. Technically he might be able to do something with it, but it would probably be a big pain in the ass.

[DOK]

They'll hold it for two weeks before it clears to your receiver. Some banks won't accept it at all and charge a fee and exchange on it. I ask my bank nicely for one money order and they usually give me one, done this a handful of times.

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Sending an American a Canadian cheque would be like paying a debt with a bag of pennies. Technically he might be able to do something with it, but it would probably be a big pain in the ass.

I agree with ^^ Sending a personal cheque saves you $6.50 but will likely waste a crapload of your friend's time. IMO Unless your friend makes 2 bucks an hour cough up the money order dough.

[Sample00]

and whatever you do..if you send him a Canadian Personal Cheque, do not make that cheque out in US funds. Your bank will absolutely crucify you in service charges!

[redforever]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Go to Canada Post and get a US dollar money order.

I think technically you can write a cheque, but it could take anywhere from 7-60 days to clear.

Or send money with Paypal.

I have always found that getting a US money order was cheaper from my bank than the Post Office. In fact, with my account, I get a certain amount free every year. But even without any type of bonuses, my bank is cheaper.

[yads]

if your friend doesn't mind waiting then you could, why not just use paypal?

[Barnes]

Why don't you just email transfer the money or do they not have that in the U.S.?

[VladtheImpaler]

ATB probably doesn't do etransfers - I think only major banks do. If the amount is fairly small, paypal is fine; otherwise, they charge quite a bit (as in $20 for $670, from personal experience).

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Go to Canada Post and get a US dollar money order.

I think technically you can write a cheque, but it could take anywhere from 7-60 days to clear.

Or send money with Paypal.

7-60 is about the right window with 60+ being accurate. It's incredible that the two systems are sync'd up better.

Don't write a personal check unless your friend is willing to wait 2-4 months to get the cash. There are much better options out there.

[Berger_4_]

Okay cool...I'm just sending her 50 bucks as a sort of gift thing, so I think I'd like to send a physical copy of something to her.

So then what's the difference between a money order and a Canadian personal cheque?

[ken0042]

The big thing it it's like a draft drawn on some major institution like Royal Bank or Canada Post; instead of just "some guy you never heard of."

Plus it's in US funds- you've taken care of the conversion already.