[SCA-Dance] pennsicdance: Correction - Borders and KWDS - Paying and Passports

[David Learmonth]

Hello to our American friends!

There have been some concerns raised over wording on the website we sent
regarding being unable to get a Canadian funds money order from USPS.  (for
pre-registration at KWDS, which closes after tomorrow!)

So, let me first say that a US funds money order should be fine.  Our main
concern was just not to get a US funds Cheque, because a Cheque would take
too long to clear between banks / countries, so we wouldn't have the money
handy for the required deposits for our site that are coming due shortly.

However, since a Canadian funds money order is better for you based on the
exchange rates  (since we can't offer better than 1:1 for the moment
ourselves), I'd recommend still trying for it with USPS or your bank.  Here
is some info from our followups with USPS:

"I just telephoned the US postal service and the woman confirmed that yes
they will issue an international money order in Canadian Funds for the
exchange rate + $3.85. I asked her twice to confirm.

    I hope this is true and you can go back and ask again (I got nowhere
with my other inquiries at banks and visa wrt visa cheques). The number I
phoned was (1-800-275-8777) if you want to make an independent inquiry."


So, if someone out there does manage to get a Canadian funds money order via
this method, could you please let us know?  I just want to confirm that it
is possible on your end, since that seems to be the information we've been
finding.  (despite conflicting info on the website!)  Otherwise, if you
still have problems, you could also let us know.

Thanks everyone!!

Darius



On Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 2:32 AM, David Learmonth <
david.a.learmonth at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello again.  Quick public service announcement.
>
> 1.  Paying for pre-registration at KWDS:  Although USD cheques are a
> possibility, we are unable to offer an exchange rate (just 1:1), and so
> we've been suggesting potentially to get Canadian Dollar money orders.
> Gregory was kind enough to send me a web link that might be useful in this
> regard:
>
> http://www.usps.com/money/sendingmoney/sendmoneyinternationally.htm
>
> "At $3.85, it's much cheaper than paying US$ at par, and last time I
> checked my bank will charge me some huge fee for checks cashed in
> Canada."
>
>
> 2.  Passports:  As of June 1st 2009, the rules will come into effect that
> you will need a passport to cross the border between Canada and the US, even
> by land.  However, it sounds like there may actually be a few options
> available  (such as Nexus card, or perhaps a special driver's license).  I'm
> not certain which options are feasible in the 2 months left before the
> event, but here are some web links that hopefully should help.  (I'm not a
> US citizen, so hopefully I've got the correct ones):
>
> US Links:
>
> Land Travel:
> http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/faqs_lp.xml
>
> Travel in general: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/
>
> US Passports:  http://travel.state.gov/
>
> Nexus Program  (not sure how long this takes):
> http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/
>
>
> Canadian links:
> http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-eng.html
> http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/bis-sif-eng.html
>
>
> Oh, and always remember:  When travelling with SCAdians across
> International Borders, Learn their REAL NAMES before you get to the border!
> It looks really suspicious if you don't know the first name of people you
> are travelling with!  :)
>
> Hope this helps!  See you at the event!
> Darius
>
>
>
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