I just called the Bank for their current policy...

> > >When I ordered from Brigade a few years ago (pre-Paypal) I had to

Since this continued to be discussed, I just called my bank to see what their
current policies are.

Background: I am in Fargo, North Dakota (ya sure you betcha), a decent sized
metro area of 150,000 people. When I got the cheque before it was through
Norwest, a larger regional bank, but Norwest has since been bought by Wells
Fargo, a large bank nationally in the US.

Current Bank Policy: I would need to get a 'Foreign Draft' in GBP. Up front
cost is $25, no discount for having an 'advantage' type of account. They no
longer keep the drafts at their local main branch either. I need to order it
and they will
draw the funds from my account and then wait 7-10 business days for it
to show up from whatever central location now has them.

At another location in the US that has more demand for 'Foreign Drafts' the
process is probably easier, faster and costs less, but here at lest, it is
still a frustrating process so I am glad that the places I want to order from
take credit cards or paypal.