Ordering Checks in the US?
Jan 10th 2005, 4:46 pm
#31
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,367
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by fatbrit
Who in the world would use a box of checks a year?????
Jan 10th 2005, 4:48 pm
#32
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by Leslie66
I use several.
Jan 10th 2005, 4:53 pm
#33
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,391
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
I think bounced checks are far more commonplace here in the US NC, you're right. I do know that we rarely wrote checks in the UK (everything was covered by DD or we used our card) I certainly liked that system better. And yes I agree the US is a bit backwards in banking....but things are starting to come around. I know my husband thought it was a bit archaic that his pay couldn't just go directly into the bank, but it does now. We have a few bills taken out of our account, but for the most part I pay just about everything online. We have a credit union (much better than a bank in my opinion) so our checks don't cost a lot anyway.
Like NCP, I still write checks monthly. In fact I just reordered checks on Friday and was charged $13.90 for 300 dup checks when ordering through my bank.
I tried online banking and had major problems with the phone company because of their dislike for my bank and our rental agent will not take anything but checks for the rent. Insurances and other utilities come directly out of the account monthly.
As for direct deposit, I have had my paycheck direct deposited since the early 1990's with no service charge for checking account and/or ATM transactions when using the bank's own ATM's. I do use online banking to make transfers to myself between accounts and to pay the same bank's charge card online.
But the funniest is my brother-in-law who still today refuses to have an ATM card. He will only deal with a live person at the bank itself and keeps hundreds of dollars in cash in a drawer at home so that he never has to use a card at the store or an ATM. He refused to allow my father to sign up for direct deposit for his social security check and pension nor allow my father to get an ATM card. So both of them (living in the same household) have hidden money in the house for emergencies. The only reason either of them have direct deposit now is because it is mandatory and they have no choice in the matter.
Last edited by Rete; Jan 10th 2005 at 4:56 pm.
Jan 10th 2005, 4:53 pm
#34
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,391
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by Leslie66
I use several.
I use three boxes a year minimum.
Jan 10th 2005, 4:57 pm
#35
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by Rete
I use three boxes a year minimum.
Jan 10th 2005, 5:00 pm
#36
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,391
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by fatbrit
And there rests the case for the prosecution, m'lud.
Honestly don't see what is so great about online bill paying. You don't pay instantly. The bank still sends the money and it takes a minimum of three days to get there and clear. So what is the big deal?
Just because you think it is wonderful doesn't mean that I have to like it as well or follow suit. My hubby does all his Canadian banking from the US online. He would not have it any other way and he is fine with my paying our US bills out of my US account with a check.
;-)
Jan 10th 2005, 5:01 pm
#37
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by Ray
My Wife...and thats boxes plural...I let her have her little pleasures...
Where do you come into the equation? NC Penguin
Jan 10th 2005, 5:03 pm
#38
Powder Maggot
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by Rete
So both of them (living in the same household) have hidden money in the house for emergencies. The only reason either of them have direct deposit now is because it is mandatory and they have no choice in the matter.
Jan 10th 2005, 5:06 pm
#39
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by NC Penguin
Sheesh. She has to pay for her "little pleasures"? Where do you come into the equation?
NC Penguin
Where do you come into the equation? NC Penguin
Jan 10th 2005, 5:07 pm
#40
Powder Maggot
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Actually, my least favorite people are those who use checks in supermarkets. Started a nice little argument in Albertsons the other month when I accused the guy in front of me of looking like a check writer. What amazed me the most was that everyone else in the queue weighed in on one side of the argument or the other, instead of trying hard to ignore the event.
Jan 10th 2005, 5:08 pm
#41
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by Rete
Honestly don't see what is so great about online bill paying. You don't pay instantly. The bank still sends the money and it takes a minimum of three days to get there and clear. So what is the big deal?
* You don't have to buy checks
* You don't have to buy stamps
* There is another party (the bank) directly involved in the transaction. If something goes wrong (e.g. they say they didn't receive your payment), you have better recourse.
* It's more secure
* You don't get that yucchy taste licking the envelopes
* You don't have to find a pen
The delay is the failure of the US banking system. In some more advanced countries, the payment is real time. You can pay the bill at 11:59 pm and you'll make it!
Last edited by fatbrit; Jan 10th 2005 at 5:18 pm. Reason: Forgot a point
Jan 10th 2005, 5:54 pm
#42
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by AdobePinon
Actually, my least favorite people are those who use checks in supermarkets. Started a nice little argument in Albertsons the other month when I accused the guy in front of me of looking like a check writer. What amazed me the most was that everyone else in the queue weighed in on one side of the argument or the other, instead of trying hard to ignore the event.
I think the American banking system has two great things to offer the rest of the world:
1) Drive-thru' ATM and teller services. Doesn't do much for your figure but boy is it convenient.
2) The best loan and investment products in the world with easy access to them (unfortunately, it also has the worst).
The rest of the system is pile of total crap.
Jan 10th 2005, 5:55 pm
#43
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3,100
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by fatbrit
Advantages:
* You don't have to buy checks
* You don't have to buy stamps
* There is another party (the bank) directly involved in the transaction. If something goes wrong (e.g. they say they didn't receive your payment), you have better recourse.
* It's more secure
* You don't get that yucchy taste licking the envelopes
* You don't have to find a pen
In some more advanced countries, the payment is real time. You can pay the bill at 11:59 pm and you'll make it!
* You don't have to buy checks
* You don't have to buy stamps
* There is another party (the bank) directly involved in the transaction. If something goes wrong (e.g. they say they didn't receive your payment), you have better recourse.
* It's more secure
* You don't get that yucchy taste licking the envelopes
* You don't have to find a pen
In some more advanced countries, the payment is real time. You can pay the bill at 11:59 pm and you'll make it!
My BOA billpay is just a way for them to write a check instead of me, but a couple of clicks is a lot easier than getting a pen, envelope and stamps out
I've made my wife lose the whole check habit, although she did write a $2.50 check to TCBY the other day
I made her buy me subway as a penalty
Jan 10th 2005, 6:01 pm
#44
staying around
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: In peace
Posts: 2,328
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by AdobePinon
Actually, my least favorite people are those who use checks in supermarkets. Started a nice little argument in Albertsons the other month when I accused the guy in front of me of looking like a check writer. What amazed me the most was that everyone else in the queue weighed in on one side of the argument or the other, instead of trying hard to ignore the event.
Jan 10th 2005, 6:02 pm
#45
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: back in Gods own country..
Posts: 4,007
Re: Ordering Checks in the US?
Originally Posted by ladylisa
The other thing that gets me and I dont know if its just a Wisconsin thing is being charged an extortionate insurance fee if you cannot put down a 20% deposit when getting a mortgage. Is this nationwide?