Personal check for deposit

Would they take international money orders? I think the post office has them and they cost a little more then regular money orders but not much more and they should be able to cash them

Renee,

I encountered the same situation when reserving a room at a particular B&B in Siena. I sent them a personal cheque for deposit as they requested. As I recall, I made the cheque out for an amount that would approximate the exchange rate between the Euro and my home currency. When I paid the bill in cash, the cheque was returned to me. I suspect we're talking about the same B&B.

I had no problems at all with this approach, although it is a bit unusual in comparison to the "normal" business practises most of us are used to.

Happy travels!

I have twice been asked to send a personal check as a deposit, once in France and once in Italy. I thought it strange, since a foreign check would be almost impossible to cash. Both establishments were small b&bs, which didn't take credit cards. Since they were both recommended in Karen Brown guides, I assumed they were legit and went with the program. Upon paying up and receiving my check back in the Italian one, I jokingly asked the owner why she wanted a check when she wouldn't be able to cash it. She replied that she has a brother who lives in the U.S. and she'd send it to him. Maybe the owner of the place in Siena also has family in the States. We also encountered the demand for a tc or bank transfer (those are really expensive) to hold a room from a hotel that accepted cc's, but not for deposits. I bought 150 euros in tc's from American Express and mailed them off at the post office. I did e-mail the hotel to let them know the deposit was on its way, just in case the Italian mail was ultra slow. While it's true that I didn't get a great exchange rate, and the postage cost $ .92, the whole transaction was just created a tiny blip in the over all costs of the trip.

Renee,
I guess I am dense. What are the obvious reasons?
I have sent personal checks as a deposit and appreciate that the owner is being helpful.
Most owners just want to make sure you show up. They probably want to avoid the cost of credit cards and know that it is expensive for Americans to wire money. Your check is expensive and time consuming for them to cash but it indicates you will show (Americans have a reputation of making multiple reservations then canceling at the last minute).
If you have checked the place out and are willing to send a traveller's check if it didn't cost you more I don't see the problem with a check.

My bank was able to make out a check in pounds that was specific to the business in the UK that didn't use credit cards. It might have been a money order. There was a fee, but by using my own bank it was less than it might have been.

Pam

Renee

I had the same problem with a convent we stayed at in Italy. I e-mail them back and asked if I could send them the value of the deposit in US Travelers check and they had no problem with that. You might see if it will work for you.

Sending a personal check is the easiest, most cost-effective way. It is only there in case you do not show. At which point, the B&B would be able to deposit it in their bank account. Yes, it would cost them a small fee and would take about 2 weeks to clear, but this check is not "worthless" to them. Due to the time needed and the fees charged though, personal checks are actually a very safe way to send a deposit.

My question is, why would you be leery of it?