def get_encoded_transfers(their_transfer, our_transfer):
    """Check for input sanity and return the encoded version of the transfers"""
    if not their_transfer and our_transfer:
        raise ValueError(
            "There is no reason to provide our_transfer when their_transfer"
            " is not provided"
        )
    their_encoded = their_transfer.encode() if their_transfer else ""
    our_encoded = our_transfer.encode() if our_transfer else ""
    return their_encoded, our_encoded