Originally Posted by
ceejay_za
I live in South Africa, but want to do a tour with an american tour company (they do specialised tours which nobody in my country does). They're quite happy for me to just pay the land portion and arrange my own flights, but they're a bit sticky on how they'll accept payment.
I expected to pay via credit card or swift, but they said they've had issues with that before and will only accept an international bank draft in dollars - they won't even give me their bank details. I've never used an international bank draft before, so I have a couple of questions:
1) it may be safer for them, but is it safe for me?
2) it sounds like I have to get a physical cheque from my bank, and then post/courier that to them - but isn't there a risk of it getting lost, and then I'm out the money as if I'd sent cash?
3) is this a reasonable request? It seems a bit dodgy to me, but maybe that's the way it works in the US?
I'd really appreciate any advice. I'd love to do the tour, but I don't want to take on too much risk!
wow the joys of trying to do anything from or within south africa
swift and wiring really isn't a thing in the usa but the latter is possible
that a firm in the usa don't take cc but requests "an international bank draft" is super sketch. everyone everywhere takes cc. also that they won't give bank details is sketchy too, "banking details" is simply what's on the bottom of a check. by sending a draft you have no way to trace, no proof who got paid (they can just go thru an outfit like pacnet). and knowing how places like the f'n nonsense bank (like what i did there) work, there's probably a fee and 30 working day delay to do a trace of a payment if you find out you got ripped, and we know how much banks in the rsa like to help
what about paypal. if they say no to that they're either a) sketch, b) unwilling/unable to function in 2016 therefore you should ask yourself if they're even capable of picking you up from an airport
otherwise find another place. if i may ask what kind of tour you looking to do