Dumb question about checks

Can I pay a U.K. bill with a check issued by a U.S.-based bank? If so, does it take any longer than normal to clear?  Thanks.

Can I pay a U.K. bill with a check issued by a U.S.-based bank? If so, does it take any longer than normal to clear?  Thanks.

You would need to check with your bank, but I would say probably not.

Do you mean a check drawn in U.S. dollars or something like a cashier's check in Sterling? 

Very few British businesses (unless geared toward international trade) will accept an American check drawn in U.S. dollars, as the bank charges for depositing a one-off "foreign" check can be quite steep.

I would doubt the business concerned would accept your US cheque. Their "system" probably isn't set up for it for one thing and for another they will incur a charge when converting it to £.   If you need to use funds from your US account,  you could write yourself a cheque from the US account and deposit it in your UK account to cover the bill.

Or could you pay by credit card?    That would make things much easier.

Ok thanks. Here's another question:  If somebody from the US mails us a personal check,  in US dollars and drawn from a US bank, could we deposit the check into our UK bank and have it converted to pounds?   

If not, what's the easiest way for somebody to send us money? (No, we're not desparate at the moment!)

Wire transfer if your US bank does them internationally or cashier's check. 

If somebody from the US mails us a personal check,  in US dollars and drawn from a US bank, could we deposit the check into our UK bank and have it converted to pounds?   

Yes, but the charges can be quite steep.  It would be advisable ask your bank (a) what service charge will be applied, and (b) what exchange rate they will use.

Instead of mailing you a personal check, I'd advise them to send you a payment via western union, the fee will be about the same if not cheaper then your bank charging you to convert it.
Western Union automatically converts $ into £

My husband used to cash US checks from Google (before they started direct depositing into his account in pounds sterling.) It took weeks for the checks to clear, and the bank took a huge fee out for converting the foreign currency.

Google is a well-known international company, though. I don't know if a British bank would cash an American personal check from someone they never heard of.

I have been able to pay UK bills with US credit cards over the phone and online, though, so that could be an option.

You can also do an international wire from a US to a UK bank.

I don't know if a British bank would cash an American personal check from someone they never heard of.

No... a UK bank will not cash an American personal cheque... even if they know you!
They will deposit it, but charge a fee for it, and it can take several weeks for the cheque to clear and the funds to be made available to you.

Instead of mailing you a personal check, I'd advise them to send you a payment via western union, the fee will be about the same if not cheaper then your bank charging you to convert it.
Western Union automatically converts $ into £

Western Union charges a steep comission fee though, like 5% of the amount sent.  My mom sent me money this way and paid like $175 in fees alone! 

These days the banks don't like to cash even a U.K. check.     If you look closely you'll see that they now come pre-printed with vertical or diagonal lines (called a "crossed cheque") and are marked "A/C Payee Only."     The first line is also now usually printed as "Pay ________ only" instead of the older "Pay _______ or Order."

It is still possible to obtain uncrossed checks, but you have to ask for them specifically, and the banks seem rather reluctant to issue them.

check out http://www.paypal.com   there is also a link for worldwide websites.

eBayers are familiar with this method of payment. I've used it and have had friends use it.


Send Money   

Send Money allows you to pay anyone with an email address in 56 countries and regions that accept PayPal.

Just enter the recipient's email address and the amount you wish to send. You can pay with a bank card.

Common uses for Send Money:
Pay for eBay items
Split a restaurant bill or rent
Send money to your family or friends
Pay for online purchases

Use PayPal to send payments in any of these currencies:

Canadian Dollar
Euro
Pound Sterling
U.S. Dollar
Yen
Australian Dollar

The only thing about paypal is , you have limits on how much is being sent to you. Like for instance if someone sends you a huge amount you cant cash it all out at once (This was info as of last year, it may have changed since then)