Would you pay upfront for a vacation trip?

[labiologie]

Have a vacation with a provider next month - about a week in a domestic location. I’ve met the provider a handful of times already for a few sessions.

My worry is this: I’m paying him $12k in cash for the trip for his rate. I don’t really want to carry that much cash through TSA and my bank doesn’t have locations where we’re going. I’m thinking about meeting him with the cash a few days before we leave to pay him.

Thoughts on this? Is it a bad idea? I trust the guy, but I’ve never given someone so much money upfront. To be clear, the provider hasn’t ASKED me to pay early. 

Edited 19 hours ago by labiologie

[mrkileen]

Half upfront, half after?

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

25 minutes ago, labiologie said:

My worry is this: I’m paying him $12k in cash for the trip for his rate. I don’t really want to carry that much cash through TSA...

I carry cash through TSA all the time on that order of magnitude.  It's no big deal.

[labiologie]

Just now, Vegas_Millennial said:

I carry cash through TSA all the time on that order of magnitude.  It's no big deal.

Oh interesting! I was reading and while I know it’s legal, a lot of people were bringing up TSA working with local LEO and civil asset forfeiture. I figured it’s rare but also just have no experience bringing more than a few hundred bucks in cash through.

 

it you do it often that’s definitely a relief.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

2 minutes ago, labiologie said:

Oh interesting! I was reading and while I know it’s legal, a lot of people were bringing up TSA working with local LEO and civil asset forfeiture. I figured it’s rare but also just have no experience bringing more than a few hundred bucks in cash through.

 

it you do it often that’s definitely a relief.

If traveling internationally, just remember to declare it. 

If traveling domestically, then it's no problem/hassle whatsoever.

Edited 19 hours ago by Vegas_Millennial

[Mark_fl]

I would discuss with him. Not only would I not want to risk losing that much cash, he might have problems bringing it back.

I'd suggest to him paying half in advance, or paying electronically.  But leave it up to him, so you're not on the hook.

If he wants cash there, give it to him shortly after arrival, so you don't have to worry about it getting stolen or turning up missing. 

Im all for cash only, but Im worried about a much smaller amount given to a provider who will be spending the day roaming around a city before heading home.

[+ glutes]

1 hour ago, mrkileen said:

Half upfront, half after?

1/3 upfront , 1/3 when he shows up, 1/3 at conclusion.

[big-n-tall]

The providers (2 specifically) I see the most and go extended trips with, I have given them their entire rate before the trip. However, I know these guys extremely well and for years (one more than a decade).

As previous posters mentioned, you can carry that amount through tsa or you can give the guy a partial payment now and the rest when you get to your destination.

[soloyo215]

6 hours ago, labiologie said:

Have a vacation with a provider next month - about a week in a domestic location. I’ve met the provider a handful of times already for a few sessions.

My worry is this: I’m paying him $12k in cash for the trip for his rate. I don’t really want to carry that much cash through TSA and my bank doesn’t have locations where we’re going. I’m thinking about meeting him with the cash a few days before we leave to pay him.

Thoughts on this? Is it a bad idea? I trust the guy, but I’ve never given someone so much money upfront. To be clear, the provider hasn’t ASKED me to pay early. 

My two cents, and please keep in mind that I'm talking hypotheticals, as I've never experienced anything remotely close to an entire week with a provider.

I'd give half upfront and the other half at the end. Seems like a good compromise, especially since you know him so there should be a degree of trust in venturing to do that.

Enjoy your time.

[jeezifonly]

It's hard for me to imagine myself vacationing with a provider. Great fantasy fodder, to be sure, but a personal relationship (traveling/motoring/recreating/ dining/convo/+sexymaking, all personal) is taking hold from a professional arrangement without the client even noticing.

Until day four.

[Tallywad]

More than $10,000 you must file FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Failure to declare amounts over $10,000 can lead to seizure, civil fines, and criminal penalties.  (This answer from A.I.}

[+ JamesB]

2 hours ago, Tallywad said:

More than $10,000 you must file FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Failure to declare amounts over $10,000 can lead to seizure, civil fines, and criminal penalties.  (This answer from A.I.}

 

The OP is talking about a domestic destination.

[mike carey]

4 hours ago, JamesB said:

 

The OP is talking about a domestic destination.

Yes, he is, and @Vegas_Millennial made that distinction up-thread. To add to the international travel tangent, as well as the US reporting rules, you should check if any international destination has similar reporting rules. As an example, Australia also has a $10k reporting requirement, and that's just under $US7k. In both cases it's perfectly legal to carry more than the reporting limit, but at least in Australia's case if it's not reported the money may be subject to confiscation.

[+ azdr0710]

don't forget to give him three or four hours "off" (away from you - gym, check emails, personal shopping, nap) each day... and some daily walking-around money......

[labiologie]

22 minutes ago, azdr0710 said:

don't forget to give him three or four hours "off" (away from you - gym, check emails, personal shopping, nap) each day... and some daily walking-around money......

I appreciate all the advice yall have given me!

 

I will say the idea of daily “walking around” money made me laugh. I’m paying this man $12k for his time, and paying all expenses. I think he has plenty for “walking around” without me giving him more cash.

Edited 8 hours ago by labiologie

[BuffaloKyle]

I know you said your bank does not have locations where you are going but I'd feel more comfortable just paying an out of network ATM fee to get cash out instead of paying all up front. Did you do an ATM search just to see if there is anywhere in network where you can take money out where you are going? You could also purchase some Mastercard/Visa gift cards as well if he'd take that as payment when you arrive at your destination. There's a fee though with them as well.