lucy24 - 12:45 pm on Nov 25, 2012 (gmt 0)

wait until the check clears

This is trickier than you would think. I asked once-- when the sum involved wasn't anywhere near a million. The bank has a set period before they'll release the funds, depending on how much it is and where the originating bank is located. But this is independent of when the check has truly, physically cleared. To be safe you'd have to wait at least twice as long-- and by that time your buyer will be getting unhappy.

I don't know what the going rate is for suitcase guys, but I would think you could get it done for, let's say, $10,000 at the outside. That's one percent of your total transaction. Can your bank give you a better deal?