What can I use as a private payment in France other than cash or credit card?

Question

We have hired a holiday villa for our hols from a French family and they require a 500 euro damage deposit which will be refunded after my stay if everything is left in order.
My problem is we don't get it back on the day we leave (but will be refunded within 10 days by which time we'll be back in Blighty) so cash is not really an option.  What (if anything) can I use for payment which can be refunded by post? If I write a cheque from my English bank account and state the payment in euros, is it valid? I can't use debit/credit cards as this is an arrangement between two private parties and not a retailer or anything. If I got euro travellers cheques, can they be made payable to a third party?
Any help would be much appreciated over this confusing situation. Ta!!

rugratshd · Accepted Answer

Probably your cheapest and most useful option is to get some Euro Cheques from you bank. They usually come in books of 10 and can be made out in any country that uses euros (exactly the same as UK cheques). Be aware that in the majority of places you want to use a cheque for payment it will not be accepted without proof of identity (passport).
A UK cheque can not be made out in any 'foreign' currency as it would not be legal in the country you issed it in.
Clearly the Euro cheque can be held by the French family and then posted back to you 'uncashed' as a first preference. If the family have paid it into an account and send you a french cheque, your bank will be able to convert it but it often attracts a fee of as much as£25.

carina001 · Answer

Hi,
you should make arrangements with the people that rent  you the place to make the final inspection while you are still there.  
French people are suspicious of foreign cheques and travellers cheques, so I am pretty sure they will ask you for cash.
The final inspection should also be made in your presence so that they can not say that something is missing or broken after you are back in Blighty and can not really defend yourself and stop them from taking any money out of  your deposit.
You should definitely settle this matter before  you come to France!

ChocoBN · Answer

You must use a postal order:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal_Order

Or you and the other party can both create Paypal accounts and transfer each other money.
http://www.paypal.co.uk/uk

Or, you ask for their international bank account number (IBAN), go to your bank and ask for an international wire transfer. To refund you they will do the same thing using your IBAN.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBAN

I don't know the answer about travelers' checks but I know that your English bank account checks are not valid outside your country. In any case, ask your bank or local post office what your options are and what the fees are.

Edit: To Rugratshd
Euro cheques ceased to exist in 2002.

John · Answer

Why not use traveler's checks?  Get one for 500 Euros (I think AmEx sells them in that denomination), sign it, give it to them, and when all goes well, they can just mail it right back!

What can I use as a private payment in France other than cash or credit card?

4 Antworten