The price of checks.....remember those? Little pieces of paper that you can give to others where in they get cash?
Last time I ordered checks was about 2 years ago (4 boxes) and I am down to my last book!!! EEEK! I should have ordered them a few weeks ago, but I didn't (gee...maybe I should have put THAT on my Just Do It list....).
My bank offered free checks as a courtesy to customers for years. But alas, all good things must come to an end. No more free checks. I tried to re-order them via the bank, and whoa baby....sticker shock!!! The "basic" check...no frills, no nuthin.....with shipping....was going to run over $50! No freakin' way.
After looking at a ton of sites, I found out that the checks themselves can be found fairly cheap...the handling and shipping on the other hand....not so much. I ultimately ordered 2 boxes of checks, and the total price came to $26. I could have just reordered with my bank.....oh well.
I have been writing more checks lately due to co-pays, but until my checks arrive, I will have to use my debit card to stretch this last book. But good grief.....talk about a shock and a half. I had no idea checks were so expensive!
Checks can be crazy expensive. I usually get duplicate checks, but now I just get singles. I think I keep good enough records to not forget what check I wrote
ReplyDeleteI get singles as well....I balance my checkbook several times a week, so I am good about writing it all down.
ReplyDeleteI pay all my bills through my bank's online bill pay. They cut a check and mail it to individuals (like my mother) when I need to pay them.
ReplyDeleteI can't even think of the last time I used a paper check. I have a box and it will probably last longer than the bank account itself.
It is weird when I think about it. I almost never see money or instruments of money at all. I just my credit card, debit card, electronic transfers, or the online bill pay to take care of everything.
It seems weird to me that places still take checks. My GF has he son in the school's pre-K program here and has to pay for part of it. They only want checks, cash, or money order... it seems so strange to watch her write out a check to them. LOL
@Kevin - I pay most everything on-line or with a debit card. Checks are used for: Medical co-pays, school lunch, misc school expenses (like fundraising), and a few irregular bills (trash company, some medical, water bill). But I still need checks....even though my non-check events are probably 10x more likely!!
ReplyDeleteI ran into the exact same thing a few months ago! We had to pay our rent, and I was out of checks! I used to get them for free from our bank. But now they were super expensive! I ended up just getting a plain check with no frills and it only cost me about $10 bucks for a box and that included shipping and handling. Considering I only use them for rent, and for when we need to send a check in the mail, I have a feeling these will last me a few years...
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you! I was running low on checks and when I started to search for some I was amazed at how expensive they are! Last week I was down to my LAST CHECK, so I had to bite the bullet and buy some. I found checksinthemail.com and they had a special for new customers, one box of checks was only $5! I bought a cute print and should be getting them soon. People may want to check this site out, it's pretty popular.
ReplyDeleteI rarely use checks so was surprised when I found out I was almost out to. I used checks in the mail also, I got winnie the pooh checks(ok dont judge me) I think mine were 10 because I got the carbons behind them.
ReplyDeletethey should last me awhile though
Judy
Checks are free at my bank, an unlimited number, whenever you need them. Those kinds of banks are still out there.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that there is still a need to use cheques in America. Here is Australia I have never had a cheque book, or needed them. We have debit cards, credit cards, automated credits/debits from accounts & a system called bpay where ever biller has a unique code. I think I have hit my Mum up for her to write me a cheque on about 3 occassions. I remember that as part of my commerce class when I was in highschool in the late 80s we had a whole section about writing cheques, but most suppliers or people prefer not to get paid by cheques in Australia. I work in the fraud department of a bank, and I must say looking after credit and debit cards is much better and easier to control.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the above link - the cheques are so cute
Dang! I wish you'd posted this BEFORE you ordered your checks. Styles and Checks4you always have full page ads in those Sunday Supplement advertisements--I recently ordered from each for my two checking accounts and got their 'new customer' rate of $11.50 for 2 boxes. Now each of them sends me e-mails concerning bargain rates--none quite as cheap as that first order, but much less than you are paying.
ReplyDeleteThe checks themselves were only $10 for 2 boxes....the rest was shipping and handling!!!!
ReplyDeleteI so rarely write a check anymore. The last thing I did was for my daughter's tennis team uniform, as one of the mother's was doing the orders and paying for it and we had to reimburse her. Copay's I pay with my debit card, the one or two monthly bills that I can't pay direct on the company's website, I just pay online via my bank. I'll probably cringe at the cost too, when I do eventually have to re-order!
ReplyDelete