I haven't used a cheque book for over twelve years now, but used to use one frequently years ago. I was just wondering if anyone still uses one, and how often, and where they use it?
[question posted by mipen2006]
responses and comments:
Yes, I am like you too. Haven't used the cheques for a long time now, with online payments and debit card payments becoming more convenient. I do have a cheque book still, just in case I would need it on certain occassions. [greenline]
ATM, check book, cheque book, [mipen2006]
My husband and I both have a check book. We're recently married so soon that'll turn into one bank account and just one check book. I think it's still necessary to keep checks because you never know when you'll need them. There are some bills we can't pay online so we must send a check in. The new apartment we're moving into requires us to pay our monthly rent by check too. I wouldn't say we use our check books very frequently - maybe once or twice a month, but I still think they're important to have. [Jennlk84]
Thank you jennlk, I didn't realize landlords still liked checks, but that makes sense, I guess. Most regular accounts can be paid with direct debits also, so the use for a check book is diminishing all the time. Thank you for you input. [mipen2006]
I have a cheque book and although I donīt use it often, i really need it sometimes. There are a few places here where they wonīt accept credit cards. Small boutiques sometimes have that problem. But my last cheque book was started over 3 years ago and I still have chequeslol [marguicha]
I didn;t realize there were some shops that didn't accept credit or debit cards. However, if you think about it, the Credit card provider does snip into the shop's profit margin, so it would make sense for a small retailer to prefer a check, provided they were sure of the buyer. Thank you. [mipen2006]
I do have a check book and yes...I do use it. I pay my rent with check as they don't accept cash. I know...odd but it is true. we can only pay with check or M.O. I keep my checking account mainly so I can pay my bills on-line and for my rent. I don't write many checks but they do come in handy. On occassion the credit/debit machine is down at my local convenience store. I am a regular and they will take my check instead. I don't carry much cash so it is good to have a back up. happy [sid556]
Hi sid, I didn't realize many people still used chacks, but it would appear most rents are paid by check, and you're right about ATms beimg down. [mipen2006]
I mostly use my debit card, but I still use checks for paying rent and some of the bills. But if you pull out a checkbook in the grocery store or something, people start giving you dirty looks and grumbling about the hold-up. Also, most banks offer some sort of incentive when you use your debit card to do certain things, or when you use it enough times a month. [surveygeeek]
Paying rent seems to be the major function of checks nowadays. I thing most banks would like to see the back of the private check book, that's why they have incentives, I guess, Thanks for your response surveygeek. [mipen2006]
I still have a checkbook, but I haven't used it in ages. My husband uses his checkbook to pay the rent and the utility bill, and that's the only time a checkbook ever sees the light of day in this household. I can't stand it when people in front of me at the grocery store write checks. I mean, it's ok if they have most of it prewritten and they just have to fill out the amount once the order is rung up. What drives me nuts is when they wait until the cashier has given them their total, and THEN they take several minutes digging the checkbook out of their purse, asking the cashier for a pen, and filling out the whole check while they're standing there. Why can't they just get a debit card? It still comes from your checking account, but it's so much faster and easier. [thyst07]
Hey thyst, tou're another who pays the rent with checks. What is it about landlords that they can't be up-to-date? You've certainly hit a nerve with me when you describe waiting at the check-out. Usually you have to waite in a queue for a long time before getting processed, then to have to wait while someone writes a check is, well I think bad for business. I hate it when people don't have their debit or credit cards ready. [mipen2006]
Hey there, mipen2006... This is an interesting discussion you have started and brought up for consideration and comments. Even though I don't usually use my checkbook frequently, I DO have one and still DO use it on a semi regularly basis. I make about three payments a month with mine. Rent - as my landlord is a private one and doesn't do the automated payments thing. Also pay the electric bill, when needed to - as I am blessed with not having to do so all 12 months out of the year, since I qualify for and receive HEAP in my state. And I pay my monthly land line phone bill from AT&T via check, just mainly because I have never checked into signing up to paying it online. Have been thinking I should though, as it would save paper, plus my stamp. :) BTW, I also do SO totally agree with the other person who responded previously to your question and made a comment about people who write checks at a store and need to not only fill out everything on their check... but also ask like, "Where's the pen?" *lol*... That is SO rude. :) Thanks for giving me the opportunity to give you & others my own 2 cents! firefox333 [firefox333]
Itaught ESL which stands for English as a Second Language, or EFL as iy's also known as, if you substiyute Foreign for Second. Good job good fun, but getting a little old now, so I retired. [mipen2006]
I do have a checkbook. I even have checks! I don't write checks very often. I typically pay my bills online or over the phone, reducing the need for checks. My fiance, however, uses his checkbook religiously, writes checks for everything he needs, rarely uses his debit card, and keeps track of EVERYTHING meticulously. I check my bank account online daily, whereas he never checks his, goes solely on what's in his checkbook. [ky1119]
Hey ky, well I think you and your fiance would be a minority in todays society,as it seems more and more people are turning to their debit card, or direct debits to pay their accounts. Thank you for joining the discussion. [mipen2006]
Well i too have 2 cheque books of my 2 bank account.. i remember last time i used cheque for one payment.. i send that cheque to another city.. 4 month ago.. but after that i never signed the cheque.. When ever i need the money i just use the credit card or ATM debit card to draw that money.. but whnever i have to send money outside.. then i have to use the cheque.. for sometimes... Happy myloting... [cool_bollywood]
Hello cool_bollywood. thank you for your reply. So you use a combination of cheques and credit cards. Is that a common practice in India. I assume you from India by your user name. [mipen2006]
well, i have been using cheques once in a while. the last i remember it was when i was taking a loan for my car , i guess. they needed me to give them a few Crosses cheques which they would probably use in case of a defaulter situation. otherwise, i have not had much use of them. most of my recent transactions have pretty much been online. [mkrishna22]
Hey mkrishna, don't you think it is a bit risky handing out blank cheques? Did you put an amount, and payee on the cheques, or leave those areas blank. Thank you for your response. [mipen2006]
I never have a check/cheque book in my life. In my country, its not easy to open a checking account. If you want to open a checking account, you need to have at least an amount of PHP25,000 and a existing business. Most people here open a savings account, its open to everyone students and working professionals and the amount you need is only PHP500 to open a new account. My father has a checking account and he uses the check to pay the hospital bills or anything that exceeds the amount of PHP10,000 since he never uses a credit card for his personal use. [sophie_dfuss]
Hello sophie, and thanks for responding to the discuccion. I don't havr a check account, and don't have any need for one, but I do have a debit card which is very useful. [mipen2006]
I still maintain a checkbook despite the wider-range of usage provided by credit cards. In my country checkbook is still very much in demand particularly for big transactions like purchase or rent of property or down payment for car. I used to be highly dependent on checks as I use it for paying all sorts of bills, but with the advent of online banking, that has decreased considerably. Now I seldom use it but I still keep it. My checking account has been with me for more than 13yrs already and I try to keep it active. [doryvien]
Hi doryvien, I wasn't prying into your banking, just curious. Thanks for the information.. [mipen2006]
I used to have a check book some years ago. I closed up the account after some time because they changed the amount for maintaining balance, which became too steep for me. That was my first and only checking account. After that, I've maintained savings account. I can also now pay my bills through online and over the counter means. Maybe later on, when I find a necessity for it, I can open a new checking account. [MariaD]
Hello Maria, I think they increased fees to encourage their customers to use ATMs and on line banking, which is cheaper for the banks. Thank you for your comments. [mipen2006]