Bank charges $40 to cash a check,...Need help

[gusti]

I have joined several affiliate programs since last years.
Now, I got checks for my referral fees, I should be happy,

however my bank charges US $40 to cash every check.
I have asked others local banks here in Bali - Indonesia,
mostly the same between $ 30 - $45.
It's allot of money.

Any suggestion? please let me know

Thanks,
Gusti

[vibgyor79]

You have a few options -

1) Open a bank account at large international banks like Citibank or Standard Chartered. Contact the merchant and ask them to wire transfer them to your account. Wire transfer fee is very low and it takes only two days to credit your account. All you need to do is send your account number and the bank's "Swift Code" to the merchant.

2) If your existing bank is a small local one, speak to the bank manager. Explain your problem to him/her and try to get the processing fee changed to percentage of the dollar amount. If you are lucky, the bank manager may oblige.

3) Paypal available in your country?

[jamesyap]

Malaysia charge around $10 per check. Gusti, how long do you take to cash a check in indonesia?

[onlineleben]

try to defer payments (e.g. amazon allows this in the UK).
The sum on the check gets bigger then and sometimes the higher the amount, the lower the charges.
Otherwise revert to the option smentioned by vibgyor79.

[profitpuppy]

You can open an account with chase bank via mail.

www.chase.com

Post the cheques back to the USA to deposit them, and then wire transfer into your indonesia account when you need the money.

[gusti]

Thanks vibgyor79 and other members for your suggestion.

Actually, Paypal is good option, I have thought about it,
but it is not available in my country, Indonesia.

The only option I have is opening an account at International
bank; citibank or Standard Chartered or chase.

Again.. thank to you all.

[gopi]

profitpuppy , Does opening a chase account result in US tax liability?

[profitpuppy]

I hope not ... I don't see why, because you are just banking the money there. There is no reason why it would, but I am a bit concerned about it I have to admit.