Checks in Belgium

Where to cash them?

[delsartm]

Hello,

I'd like to know if someone could tell which bank in Belgium (or a country around Belgium) is the best (= cheapest) for cashing the AdSense checks?

I have visited a few and they are all extremely greedy... (between 20 and 30 EUR)

Thanks!

Note : Not sure this is the right forum but I don't know where to put it...

[Lipik]

delsartm,

I'm also 'investigating' belgian banks. First of all, belgian banks will never pay you the money, you alwas must have one account with them, and they will put it on your account.
Already two answers :
Argenta : they don't even do it.
Bank Van Breda : 0.1% of the check's amount with a minimum of 8.47 euro (vat included) + 6 euro costs.(so totally 14.47 euro)

can you give your exact details?

[loanuniverse]

Have you guys considering opening a Citibank account. Granted you need a "relationship" balance of 10,000 euros to avoid the service charge, but you could consider the 8 euro monthly charge as your "cashing fee". I would think that maybe Citibank does not charge a fee if the check is drawn on a Citibank account {and Google's checks are if I remember correctly}.

[mquarles]

Yes, my Google check in the U.S. is drawn on Citi, and presumably European ones are as well.

MQ

[FromBelgium]

KBC: 17.55EUR

Once I gave 2 checks and they only charged 17.55 EUR once. You can also ask Google to hold the check, this will save you bank charges.

[delsartm]

What I found out is :

Fortis : +/- 15 EUR (or so they said, I am always cautious with them).
ING : +/- 25 EUR.

And indeed you must have an account. They both told me I'd had to wait for 3 to 4 weeks to see anything happen.

I went to a Citibank branch in Brussels (because my check says Citibank Delaware somewhere on it).

They told me they couldn't tell me how much it would cost but it would be a lot (I am not kidding...). Not so nice people there.

So I guess we are looking are at at least 15 EUR for a small check? Is this in line with what other europeans pay?

[Lipik]

Well, I was looking on the website of Citibank Belgium, and guess... there is even not one email-adress on this whole site!
I thought 14 euro was a lot... probably I must stick with my own bank. I also asked it in Croatia.. you'l never now...Let you now as soon I have news.
The Netherlands : same story.

Somebody nows if it is possible to open (over email from Europe) an account at citibank US?

[Bluepixel]

If you live close to Luxembourg, you can open an account at the BCEE and you pay 10 Euro for foreign checks and no percentage. They even have the bank secret ;-).

[loanuniverse]

Citibank is everywhere.... Well almost.... I would find the office nearest to where I live and walk in with the check or checks and talk to them about how to cash it or maybe opening an account. Tell them that you will be getting checks regularly.

I can't see how they could defend charging a fee on a check drawn on them. Then again, I know how that bank loves the fees.

[Monus]

I went to a Citibank branch in Spain (because my check says Citibank Delaware somewhere on it).

They told me that they don't want to collect the checks.

This month my banks in Spain and Holland don't want to collect the checks anymore. As reason they give that it is to much work for to collect the checks and that the banks in America (by american law) can take the money back for 6 years (yes, after 6 years is the money realy yours).

[morpheus83]

Go to ABN Amro bank they have a strong presence in Belgium (Antwerp specially). I have my account in ABN in India and I am charged only $3 for a cheque.

[Lipik]

Thanks morpheus83 for this info, but I'm pretty shure that this same bank (ABN AMRO) in Antwerp wil ask more than $3! I will check it next week, but let me do a guess : 15 euro. Well see...

Croatia : I checked it and I can put my cheque on a bankaccount in Croatia for only 9 euro. As I go on holiday there often....

[tombola]

Consider this: if you're self-employed, bank fees are tax deductible expenses, so if you don't want to pay too much for bank fees, you'll have to pay more taxes. The choice is yours ;-)

[level80]

That's assuming you actually have to pay any taxes though and it doesn't fall within personal allowances and other allowances.

[Lipik]

OK, they (from ABN AMRO Antwerp) answered my mail (it took them 7 days).
Price to put cheque on one bank-account :
7.5 euro cost + 7.5 euro incassoprovision + 3.75% service charges. For a 100 dollar cheque you will pay approx. 18.75 euro! I think I will cash it in India branch of ABN ;-)

I will do it in Croatia! for 9 euro.

[morpheus83]

18.75 Euros that comes to around $ 22. :-(. It is the case in Belgium or all European countries.