'Cash To Bearer'

[Khandro]

Does anyone know if this is still possible on a UK cheque please?

[woofgang]

I think that may be a matter for individual banks so ask your bank

[Buenchico]

You can uncross a crossed cheque (that you've written yourself) by writing 'Crossing cancelled' over it and adding your signature, enabling it to be paid into the bearer's bank account. However money laundering regulations mean that all bank transactions must now be traceable, so you can no longer write "Pay cash" (other, of course, than when cashing a cheque yourself).

The 'traceability rule' is so strict that when, for example, I took about £120 worth of old pound coins into my bank (while they were still valid in shops, etc) to swap them for the new £1 coins, I wasn't allowed to simple hand over my old coins and receive new ones in exchange. I had to pay the old coins into my account and then make a withdrawal in order to receive new ones.

[Khandro]

Thanks, the problem is that the person I wish to send money to is overdrawn in her bank account, so the amount of an ordinary cheque would e absorbed into that debt.
I don't think there is such a thing as an international postal order & cash in an envelope is too dodgy, - a bit stymied really.
I suppose I could send a cheque to a solvent friend - if she has one :0) - who could pay into their account & withdraw it in cash for her?

[Buenchico]

Western Union payments can be collected in cash. Looking at the list of Western Union agents still open around my own area finds the nearest is a convenience store about 4 miles away:
https://www.westernunion.com/de/en/web/send-money/start

[Etch]

Was going to suggest Western Union (not used them myself though), but Buenchico beat me to it.

[Khandro]

Just checked out Western Union, it works OK but a bit expensive: you pay about £12. to send £100.

[dannyk13]

Can you not just write a cheque in the normal way made payable to whoever you want to pay.

[dannyk13]

Or you might find something here:-
https://moneytransfercomparison.com/lp/lp-uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=344982869&utm_content=322306194856&utm_term=international%20money%20transfer&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxurnnZPs7gIVhOR3Ch1WygCxEAAYASAAEgIdV_D_BwE

[ubasses]

Have you looked at Money gram. Think you can do it through the post office, I have just put your amount in on the link below and it looks like it is accepting it for UK to UK. Showing a fee of £1.99.

https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/gb/en/

[Khandro]

danny: //Can you not just write a cheque in the normal way made payable to whoever you want to pay.//

Please see my above post at 12:47

[barry1010]

Doesn't Moneygram pay in to the recipients bank account, the same way as a cheque or bank transfer?

[barry1010]

I was wrong about Moneygram

[Cloverjo]

I think you can still buy postal orders at the Post Office.

[Khandro]

Thanks Cloverjo, I should have said it is an international transaction between Germany & the UK, there lies the problem.

[Canary42]

Banks, with their passion for providing customer service (NOT), are trying their hardest to phase out cheques, so expect as many obstacles as possible down that route. Ditto with trying to find a branch that is still open to cash the cheque )-:

[barry1010]

Canary, you don't need to go to the bank to cash a cheque - just take a photo of it using your phone

[ubasses]

Money gram still only charge 1.99 to Germany.
https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/gb/en/