Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why in the hell do people write checks?
- Thread starter iGary
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Chundles
macrumors G5
I don't get it either, they should be writing cheques.
But seriously forks, I was amazed at the level of credit card use in Canada - people would buy one coffee with a credit card?!
Nobody here writes cheques unless it's for something big or tradition demands it, we just use that old-fashioned stand-by: cash. Mainly because the banks and credit card companies can't give us the old kick in the bollocks when we use cash.
But seriously forks, I was amazed at the level of credit card use in Canada - people would buy one coffee with a credit card?!
Nobody here writes cheques unless it's for something big or tradition demands it, we just use that old-fashioned stand-by: cash. Mainly because the banks and credit card companies can't give us the old kick in the bollocks when we use cash.
Pretty much the only people I see using checks in retail stores are old folks who likely aren't comfortable with those newfangled magnetic strip swipey credit card-like things.
SpookTheHamster
macrumors 65816
I can understand them as a way to send money to people, but not in shops.
I used to HATE it when people would pay by cheque when I was a cashier, it takes so fricken long and they always mess it up.
¨Do you print cheques?¨
¨Yes, we do¨
¨Good (proceeds to write on cheque anyway)¨ ARGH!
I suppose old habits die hard.
I used to HATE it when people would pay by cheque when I was a cashier, it takes so fricken long and they always mess it up.
¨Do you print cheques?¨
¨Yes, we do¨
¨Good (proceeds to write on cheque anyway)¨ ARGH!
I suppose old habits die hard.
Chundles
macrumors G5
Our estate agents just give us a "Rent Card" that makes rent payable at any post office in Australia - I pay mine with my debit card.
I'm trying to remember the last few I've written. I think I've written my mum one, paid a load of uni fees with them, and perhaps used one or two for eBay. Apart from that, no. People who use them in shops get right on my tits.
Although, I do remember the pub next to the cinema we worked at would take cheques from us horrible lot towards the end of the week before we got paid. Bless 'em. 😀
Although, I do remember the pub next to the cinema we worked at would take cheques from us horrible lot towards the end of the week before we got paid. Bless 'em. 😀
A cheque takes several days to clear and no immediate check is made to see if you have sufficient funds when the cheque is written.
This makes them very handy for making purchases the day before pay day, when your account is running on fumes and you HAVE to buy pet food or your dog will DIE, even though you too are starving but you'll be able to survive just a bit longer.
Cheque stubs are a good way to keep track of your outgoings, if you are the sort of person who sits down and tallies it all up. No need to keep receipts.
Outside of retail, they are a convenient way of giving larger sums to people. Either as a gift or to pay things like rent.
I sometimes send a cheque in advance to my landlord, but usually do a BACS transfer online. Sometimes it is just nice to write a little letter, fill out the cheque and go for a walk to the Post Office to buy a stamp and a fruity drink.
Any more things that other people do that you just don't understand for some reason which I might be able to shed some light on?
This makes them very handy for making purchases the day before pay day, when your account is running on fumes and you HAVE to buy pet food or your dog will DIE, even though you too are starving but you'll be able to survive just a bit longer.
Cheque stubs are a good way to keep track of your outgoings, if you are the sort of person who sits down and tallies it all up. No need to keep receipts.
Outside of retail, they are a convenient way of giving larger sums to people. Either as a gift or to pay things like rent.
I sometimes send a cheque in advance to my landlord, but usually do a BACS transfer online. Sometimes it is just nice to write a little letter, fill out the cheque and go for a walk to the Post Office to buy a stamp and a fruity drink.
Any more things that other people do that you just don't understand for some reason which I might be able to shed some light on?
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
I wish I had that! Or better yet automatic debit! 🙂 It's not like I'm not planning on paying my rent. 🙄
AvSRoCkCO1067
macrumors 65816
It is required for some things - say, tuition for college. Other than those things, though, I don't use checks much...
Floating is becoming harder to do with the new electronic conversion for many checks. In some cases they do it right at the store and zap it out of your account immediately.
Sun Baked
macrumors G5
Don't forget your big creditors are allowed to also do the electronic conversion and take it out of the account immediately.
They also get to destroy the check, instead of giving it back to you.
So you will get fewer real checks returned and more copies back even if you have checked the return checks option at the bank.
...to annoy you Gary.
i've never used a check in a store. honestly. cash or credit. (debit being cash as its instantly withdrawn).
Chundles, i pay for my coffee with my debit card, why? because it means i have less to carry around with me. less to keep track of. and i also end up keeping track of all my purchases through my statements this way. even the little ones. its convenience and it doesn't cost anything extra, so why not?
i've never used a check in a store. honestly. cash or credit. (debit being cash as its instantly withdrawn).
Chundles, i pay for my coffee with my debit card, why? because it means i have less to carry around with me. less to keep track of. and i also end up keeping track of all my purchases through my statements this way. even the little ones. its convenience and it doesn't cost anything extra, so why not?
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
Chundles
macrumors G5
We get charged for every transaction not made through the bank's own EFTPOS machines. So, unless the restaurant has an EFTPOS machine from the National Australia Bank I get charged an extra $1.50 for the transaction.
This is why we Aussies carry cash - the banks here are notorious for their fees and charges, same with the credit cards - they charge a certain amount if the charged amount is low.
Most places have a $10 minimum on all card transactions because even they get charged by the banks for using the machines. It's a horrible system and the banks should be ashamed.
In the US, part of the agreement for both VISA and MasterCard is that merchants are not allowed to have a minimum amount for credit purchases. If they accept credit cards, they must accept them for ALL purchases. Yes, the businesses get hosed for small purchases that way, but that's part of the deal and they need to price their things accordingly.
Many businesses still post signs saying "$10 minimum for credit card purchases," which cuts down on the small purchases I'm sure, but you could force the issue if you wanted to and then report them to VISA/MasterCard if they deny your right to use your card.
MattG
macrumors 68040
I often wonder the same thing myself...what's the point when you have a check card??
The only thing I still write checks for is my home equity loan, only because I can't pay it online.
iMeowbot
macrumors G3
People have long memories. For the longest time those cards were a pain to use, with each store accepting only certain networks and the tendency of transactions not to go through for no apparent reason. A debit card too often made somebody the jerk who was holding up the line. It seems to be the opposite now, but it can take some doing to convince those people that it really works now.