| RavenBlog |
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| Comments on Thursday 13 November 2003: |
| If a nondescript person on the street gave you a blank cheque (signed and such, obviously) and permission to use it, but didn't tell you how much is in the account, how much would you make out the cheque for, and why? If the person says they'll tell you how much was in the account once you've got the money (or once the cheque has bounced), how does that affect your answer, if at all? [17:35] |
| Nightshade |
| Due to my suspicious nature, and desire to be an occasional nuisance, I would fill it out for $.01 After all... anyone who's giving out blank cheques in the street either doesn't think he's got much to lose (the account can't be that full) or is a trusting enough soul to not deserve to be taken for more than a token amount. And I'd like to see the look on the bank teller's face when I cash the cheque. |
| Soli |
| ignoring answers that evade the purpose of the question... I would make it out for $4000. It's a lot of money (for someone my age, especially), but not an unreasonably large amount. I have nothing to lose, and I'd rather have a lesser chance of getting enough money to really make a difference in my financial situation. |
| sum nemo |
| I would make the check out for about $20. Enough for a new CD or food or whatever I happen to want at the moment, but not a large sum of money. Although Nightshade's answer is good too. |
| SCrown |
| Assuming the check has a DL number on it, I'd make it out for the sum total of my shopping spree at the most appropriate store, depending on my necessities at the time, and let them deal with cashing it. |
| ~*~ERIN~*~ |
| Hmm. I wouldn't take the check at all. If this person is loaded and crazy enough to give it away there are others who probably need it more than I do or if he's broke its no dissappointment on my end. |
| The Dritex |
| $2749.42, cashed into: 15 $100's; 12 $50's; 28 $20's; 6 $10's; 4 $5's; 9 $1's; 3 dimes; 4 nickles; 2 pennies. First off, many people are assuming this person to be sane when he gives it to you. I'm gogin to say, he'sa ctually off his rocker, and thinks it's a good idea to do this. So, I pick that amount, due to it being a fairly decent amount, that i can use for lots of smaller things here and there, and just keep around for when needed. Also, it's set up in a way, so that the teller cashing the check has to go through a small amount of difficulty getting everything. |
| KJB |
| I like SCrown's idea, personally. |
| Lucifer |
| I would estimate a probability distribution for the balance in the account given whatever information I have available (like how this person is dressed, how they speak, where we are, etc). Then I would find the amount that maximizes the expected return (amount * probability). Finding out the balance after I wrote the check would not change my answer. |