It was interesting to hear just how much effort Larry Norman went to
to save us overseas buyers money on cashing checks.  I, for one, really
appreciate Larry's service.  Vestal Press in Harvey Roehl's ownership
was best, because it took UK checks at face value, maintaining a UK
account.  That really _was_ making it easy for us, at some significant
expense to Harvey!

I pay all small US dollar amounts in cash when credit cards are not on
offer.  I can buy a couple of hundred dollars on demand at the local
Post Office for a small commission (less than $5, plus whatever they
sting you for on the exchange rate itself).  To buy a dollar check
costs (from my bank anyway), a huge amount -- $20 or more -- and the
exchange rates are worse.

So, if I buy items of (say) $50, I am still saving money even if
every fourth cash-filled envelope is lost in the post!  In practice,
I would be very surprised ever to lose (in the sense of have stolen)
an envelope with one or two dollar bills in.  Not many ordinary airmail
letters go astray.

Dollar bill denominations are useful for this approach, because
I can always pay to the nearest dollar over and not worry about the
difference.  Compare with UK pounds, where the smallest note is
equivalent to $8 - you would have to use coins, a seriously bad idea
by post.

Julian Dyer