Transcript Evaluation by SAQA

Bill,

You seem to be proposing that, since one educational institution in SA accepted a debit/credit card, all must. I confess I am not swayed.

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Richard

Asking the question as to why something would not work is not "proposing" that it must work. Neither is offering my personal experience in one situation trying to "sway" you in any manner. I am in no "debate" with you , Richard. But if it makes you feel good to win such quasi contests, then consider yourself the victor!

 

Cripes, Jack, there you go making sense again. Have you no shame, sir, have you no shame?

 

Well, I'm reluctant to post on this again--but here I go.

I finally received a definite reply from SAQA about debit/credit cards--they won't accept either.

I also went to my bank and talked to the bank manager; I took along a list of SAQA's stated acceptable payment methods. The manager said they didn't offer teller's checks or guaranteed checks. She wanted me to contact SAQA and ask them if they would take a "check by phone" or an "official bank check." She also told me that another bank in town offered guaranteed checks, so after I left I contacted them, but they said I'd have to have an account there in order to get a guaranteed check.

I confess I'm getting tired of this, and although not a Calvinistic determinist, , I'm wondering if maybe I'm not supposed to do this. It shouldn't be this difficult! I'm about ready to try the little pill that Richard suggested.

 

Dear Michael,

Currently, the level of brain activity required to work in a US bank is substantially less than that required to be certified dead. This helps explain why I live in NYC, but my bank is located in Indiana.

I am simply aghast that you would consult your "bank manager" about a banking issue. Was the ficus in the lobby busy? Did you really think that the manageress, who doubtlessly lives in blissful ignorance of US banking regulations, would be able to assist you with an international banking matter? Good heavens, your bank manager wants to have a department of the government of South Africa accept a check by phone!!! BY PHONE!!!

If your bank's "Official Bank Check" is an actual check, than it is (presumably) an old fashioned Teller's/Cashier's check with a New Age moniker. AFAIK, a check issued by your/a bank is implicitly "guaranteed", at least in so far as one normally assumes that a bank has the money to cover its own checks.

Were it me (and it was "me" once) and I couldn't find a local bank with a clue and a checkbook, I'd get my SAQA-required documents together, tally up my bill, and send the lot off to SAQA, complete with one of your bank's Official Checks. The worst thing that could happen is that SAQA will return your Official Check and demand an even more official one. IMHO, this is outcome is neither terribly likely, nor terribly terrible.

Good luck!


Cordially,
Richard Kanarek

 

"The worst thing that could happen is that SAQA will return your Official Check and demand an even more official one."

So, an official "Official Check," huh?

I believe I'll do just that.