Paying cash is not that big of a deal.
Back in 2010, four of us bought an L-4 for $45K. The plan was set: two of us would fly halfway across the country in a 172 to pick it up. Our airline pilot buddy who owned a Cub himself, was scheduled to meet us on a Sunday at the pickup point and fly it home with us, with the 172 being the chase plane. I was scheduled to get the cashier's check on Friday. I got a call from the seller. She said her brother (or uncle?) warned her not to take a cashier's check, unless she could take it to her bank and have it verified. Seriously? I've bought two planes prior to this one, and I used cashier's checks both times. Everyone uses cashier's checks, I said. But she was adamant. I told the guys the deal was probably off, because none of us were available during the following week. My buddy suggested cash. I thought if a cashier's check was a problem for her, a bag full of money might really spook her, but what the heck. I called and explained that we couldn't reschedule for Monday because of everyone's work schedule. I then asked if cash would be okay. Her response came before I had time to blink: "Cash is good." She then went on to say if I was bringing that much cash that she'd be packin'. I told her I would be too, of course. What a weird conversation.
Who really cares if the bank reports the amount? I wasn't buying drugs, just an airplane. The real problem with that much cash is getting it from the bank. Branch banks normally cannot give you that much cash on a moments notice. You have to let them know days in advance. In my case, I had to get the money the same day, because it was Friday, and we were flying up on Saturday. I had to go to the main bank downtown to make that withdrawal. I brought a small duffel bag to put the money in. Heck, I didn't know how much space it would take up. (as it turns out, not much). I felt pretty silly carrying that duffel bag with a tiny little stack of money inside. On the way to get the plane I carried the money in a fanny pack worn in the front -- much less conspicuous.
The other crazy thing was that she had an associate with one of those pens to check for counterfeit bills. I get that they need to count it. 450 Benjamins. But running that pen over every one? Really? She was counting and he was doing the pen thing. We were going to get a late start home. After about 100 bills, he got tired of the pen thing and just began neatly stacking the money after she had counted it.
We flew the Cub home and all was good.
