Checkbook use in Britain?
Dec 12th 2005, 8:58 pm
#46
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by cindyabs
There are MANY people in this area who do not have bank accounts at all-they pay either cash or by money order, therefore their preferred method of a paycheck would be a physical one.
I even heard of a guy here in town who buried money in his yard, but that's another story.
I even heard of a guy here in town who buried money in his yard, but that's another story.
Dec 12th 2005, 9:12 pm
#47
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Angry White Pyjamas
You're not wrong there. We found it almost laughably sad when we first got here how antiquated the banking system is by comparison to EU banks. They even suggested I pay them for the pleasure of giving them my money.
Dec 12th 2005, 9:17 pm
#48
Sursum corda
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Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Big D
Know where he lives?
Dec 12th 2005, 9:37 pm
#49
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Chorlton
I guess that makes sense. That would explain the huge number of check cashing places.
The huge number of check cashing places is due to a data gatherer called Chex Systems. Once you're on here through offending one of the member banks, you will find it difficult to get a conventional checking account, although the banks may offer a very restricted one (such as with ATM card rather than ATM/Debit card and without checkbook).
Dec 12th 2005, 11:14 pm
#50
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Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
I hate cheques, but as there's shite cover if you get screwed with direct deposits, and it's a mare cancelling them, I haven't bothered, well also because I never exprected to be here for so long *l* so stuck with cheques for the bills over here, never use them in shops though, debit card is so much easier.
Keeping account of what I've spent, I've a book that I write everything down in like a checking book, easy that way to keep track of how the money goes with debit card, helps keep in budget and all that.
Keeping account of what I've spent, I've a book that I write everything down in like a checking book, easy that way to keep track of how the money goes with debit card, helps keep in budget and all that.
Dec 12th 2005, 11:47 pm
#51
Just me!
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 752
Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Nia_Nia
My husband keeps a 'checkbook' religiously and is continually dumbfounded by the fact that I have never kept one and by my insistence that nobody I ever knew back home kept one.
I kept control of my finances by printing out bank statements every time I took money out or just working it out in my head. Hubby finds this highly irregular and says its very irresponsible. I remain convinced that the checkbook (not to be confused with a chequebook) is an American thing. Can any other Brits tell me their experiences with a 'checkbook' pre stateside?
I am of course hoping that everybody says 'nope I never used a checkbook either' so I can go nyah nyah na nyeh nyeh to my husband.
I kept control of my finances by printing out bank statements every time I took money out or just working it out in my head. Hubby finds this highly irregular and says its very irresponsible. I remain convinced that the checkbook (not to be confused with a chequebook) is an American thing. Can any other Brits tell me their experiences with a 'checkbook' pre stateside?
I am of course hoping that everybody says 'nope I never used a checkbook either' so I can go nyah nyah na nyeh nyeh to my husband.
what annoys me is that you are more dependant on cheques in USA and they charge you when you run out - double wamey!!
Ant
Dec 12th 2005, 11:53 pm
#52
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by cindyabs
There are MANY people in this area who do not have bank accounts at all-they pay either cash or by money order, therefore their preferred method of a paycheck would be a physical one.
I even heard of a guy here in town who buried money in his yard, but that's another story.
I even heard of a guy here in town who buried money in his yard, but that's another story.
Dec 13th 2005, 12:01 am
#53
BE Site Lead
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Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
There are a few in the UK that can have a bank account, but can't do DD or cheques from their accounts. So in order to pay bills they have to use postal orders or pay in person. Its not only in the US. There are poor people everywhere.
Dec 13th 2005, 12:21 am
#54
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Bob
The weird aren't always the poor though... *lol*
Dec 13th 2005, 12:48 am
#55
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
Why, do the poor have another alternative?
Dec 13th 2005, 12:50 am
#56
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Bob
Well you were suggesting only the poor bother with cheques and cash in the UK...ain't always the case, and yeah, plenty of options for people that don't open a bank account with online bank accounts with places like egg.
Dec 13th 2005, 12:51 am
#57
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Angry White Pyjamas
You're not wrong there. We found it almost laughably sad when we first got here how antiquated the banking system is by comparison to EU banks. They even suggested I pay them for the pleasure of giving them my money.
Worse....is that it takes up to 10 working days for a cheque to clear when making a deposit into your account compared to three days in the UK (especially more than $10k as the IRS is notified....
). In these days of electronic banking why does it take so long? I guess the banks are really raking it in on the interest they're not paying you..... 
Dec 13th 2005, 1:06 am
#58
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Englishmum
Another gripe is that you need to have quite a high balance in your account or incur bank charges (yet they don't pay you interest on your current/checking account as far as I'm aware - maybe the smaller banks do?).
Worse....is that it takes up to 10 working days for a cheque to clear when making a deposit into your account compared to three days in the UK (especially more than $10k as the IRS is notified.... ). In these days of electronic banking why does it take so long? I guess the banks are really raking it in on the interest they're not paying you.....
Worse....is that it takes up to 10 working days for a cheque to clear when making a deposit into your account compared to three days in the UK (especially more than $10k as the IRS is notified....
). In these days of electronic banking why does it take so long? I guess the banks are really raking it in on the interest they're not paying you.....
Dec 13th 2005, 2:23 am
#59
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Location: MA, USA
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Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
If you're poor, you probably are not going to be dealing with internet banking, I would imagine....
Dec 13th 2005, 2:25 am
#60
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Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Checkbook use in Britain?
Originally Posted by Englishmum
Worse....is that it takes up to 10 working days for a cheque to clear when making a deposit into your account compared to three days in the UK (especially more than $10k as the IRS is notified.... ). In these days of electronic banking why does it take so long? I guess the banks are really raking it in on the interest they're not paying you.....
). In these days of electronic banking why does it take so long? I guess the banks are really raking it in on the interest they're not paying you.....