International bank draft

CathJ

CathJ

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I'm looking at booking a holiday via a US travel agency, but they're being a bit awkward about payment. They don't want payment by credit card, paypal , or even swift, they only want a bank draft.

This immediately set off some red flags, but looking into it, it seems to be a safe enough way to send money overseas. Where I'm a bit confused is that it sounds like I get a physical check in US dollars from the bank, which I have to then physically post to them in the US? That sounds...archaic, and prone to literally getting lost in the mail! Am I misunderstanding the process?
 
uh the US finance system is rather retarded so does seem somewhat plausible. Then again the US is also credit card land so I think they can make a fkin plan and accept CC payment.

Personally I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole that I borrowed from someone else. Seems dodge AF
 
I agree, isn't a bank cheque in USD going to cost more than booking through a local travel agent?

Then what happens if you decide to cancel your trip and need a refund? Is there even a cooling off period? That's when you can change your mind for 30 days after purchase because your friend explained how you got ripped off. I am just saying, you will be treated like an American, but you won't know the consumer rights in the USA.

I know travel agents are package kings. They get discounts to sell you hotels at certain times of the year, with certain conditions. But sites like booking.com give prices in ZAR. And they might even take bookings in ZAR (if they charge your credit card in USD then you will cop the fee). They will also explain their terms and conditions, especially things like when you qualify for a refund. Just imagine if you booked for the wrong week or booked the wrong city!!
 
CC or gtfo. Visa guarantees my transactions. A cheque, not so much.
 
Which bank are you with? Just get a BOP Form - Outward Payment Application - and your bank will transfer the money directly to their bank account.
If that is the same thing as a swift transfer, then that's the only way I would do it.
I definitely wouldn't do the check thingy.
 
Unfortunately they're a very specialized tour company, and there's no-one local who does the same thing.

This is worrying, though. They won't even give me their bank details. I'm sure they're just trying to protect themselves against potentially dodgy South Africans , but I'm not comfortable with it. Darn.
 
LazyLion said:
Which bank are you with? Just get a BOP Form - Outward Payment Application - and your bank will transfer the money directly to their bank account.
If that is the same thing as a swift transfer, then that's the only way I would do it.
I definitely wouldn't do the check thingy.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't do that either. Good luck trying to get your money back if it goes wrong and you paid via swift
 
CathJ said:
Unfortunately they're a very specialized tour company, and there's no-one local who does the same thing.

This is worrying, though. They won't even give me their bank details. I'm sure they're just trying to protect themselves against potentially dodgy South Africans , but I'm not comfortable with it. Darn.
Click to expand...

Makes zero sense to me :erm:
Many companies post their banking details online! Online - for the world to see! Why can't these guys disclose their details in an email? This is a major red flag OP
 
CathJ said:
Unfortunately they're a very specialized tour company, and there's no-one local who does the same thing.

This is worrying, though. They won't even give me their bank details. I'm sure they're just trying to protect themselves against potentially dodgy South Africans , but I'm not comfortable with it. Darn.
Click to expand...
No...remember I said the American bank system is retarded? Well this is part of it - unlike in SA you can't share bank details freely. That side its a bit like sharing your credit card details...exposes you. So this isn't necessarily an indication of dodge.
 
Thanks all - I think I'm going to insist on credit card or nothing. Odd to see how different the American system is!
 
HavocXphere said:
No...remember I said the American bank system is retarded? Well this is part of it - unlike in SA you can't share bank details freely. That side its a bit like sharing your credit card details...exposes you. So this isn't necessarily an indication of dodge.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, thanks for pointing that out :)
 
CathJ said:
Thanks all - I think I'm going to insist on credit card or nothing. Odd to see how different the American system is!
Click to expand...

I've been here for a long time. The only bank draft I've ever heard of has been when when two people have both sides of the airlock-style bank doors open.
 
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