Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2019 16:44:38 GMT -5
I know checks have gone the way of the dinosaurs, but there is still a need for them sometimes. For example, we will pay the contractor who is building our ramp on Monday. He doesn't take CCs. The lawyer who is doing my estate planning charges a 3% fee to use a CC.
I don't remember when I ordered the ones I was reordering, but probably sometime after I remarried 10 years ago. I forget what they cost, but when I started to reorder over the phone, it was going to be $75 for two boxes or $100+ for four. Huh? Yes, these were University of Alabama checks, but there were also all sorts of add-ons they were trying to charge for from a check register on. I said, "Never mind." I know prices are higher for returning customers, and I've ordered from almost every different online company over the years.
So I used Costco. Two boxes of plain Jane checks was $18.13 after tax. There were no other charges, not even for shipping.
It was a good price so I thought I would share.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Sept 7, 2019 17:17:04 GMT -5
I order through my bank and I get a box for free. This is just the standard order - none of the fancy designs.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Sept 7, 2019 17:45:12 GMT -5
I have what is called a Crown account with Wells Fargo. I haven't paid for checks or any other services in over 30+ years.
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flamingo
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Post by flamingo on Sept 7, 2019 17:46:10 GMT -5
I used to order checks every time I moved. I stopped doing that about 9 years ago, b/c I had SO MANY checks just sitting in my filing cabinet, and the only thing that was different was the address. So, I’m still using up old checks with old addresses. I’m sure there’s a reason I shouldn’t do that, but it feels so wasteful to just shred them. And, really, if I write 5 checks a year, it’s a lot. And so far, they all get cashed just fine.
That’s my long way of saying, I couldn’t even begin to guess what checks should cost, but under $20 seems like a good deal.
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tallguy
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Post by tallguy on Sept 7, 2019 18:07:34 GMT -5
I used to order checks every time I moved. I stopped doing that about 9 years ago, b/c I had SO MANY checks just sitting in my filing cabinet, and the only thing that was different was the address. So, I’m still using up old checks with old addresses. I’m sure there’s a reason I shouldn’t do that, but it feels so wasteful to just shred them. And, really, if I write 5 checks a year, it’s a lot. And so far, they all get cashed just fine. That’s my long way of saying, I couldn’t even begin to guess what checks should cost, but under $20 seems like a good deal. I'm using checks with a no-longer-in-existence bank name. I only write a couple of checks per year, so they'll last for a long time. Routing number and account number is the same. Nobody cares.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Sept 7, 2019 18:12:15 GMT -5
I use a check maybe once every couple years nowadays. My bank will print 6 for free. So I do that and I'm good for about 5 years.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Sept 7, 2019 18:15:47 GMT -5
I used to order checks every time I moved. I stopped doing that about 9 years ago, b/c I had SO MANY checks just sitting in my filing cabinet, and the only thing that was different was the address. So, I’m still using up old checks with old addresses. I’m sure there’s a reason I shouldn’t do that, but it feels so wasteful to just shred them. And, really, if I write 5 checks a year, it’s a lot. And so far, they all get cashed just fine. That’s my long way of saying, I couldn’t even begin to guess what checks should cost, but under $20 seems like a good deal. We use checks that have an address that we moved from 6 years. In those 6 years, we moved 3 times too. If I ever care about our address, I just cross out the wrong address and write in the correct one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2019 18:22:07 GMT -5
I used to order checks every time I moved. I stopped doing that about 9 years ago, b/c I had SO MANY checks just sitting in my filing cabinet, and the only thing that was different was the address. So, I’m still using up old checks with old addresses. I’m sure there’s a reason I shouldn’t do that, but it feels so wasteful to just shred them. And, really, if I write 5 checks a year, it’s a lot. And so far, they all get cashed just fine. That’s my long way of saying, I couldn’t even begin to guess what checks should cost, but under $20 seems like a good deal. We use checks that have an address that we moved from 6 years. In those 6 years, we moved 3 times too. If I ever care about our address, I just cross out the wrong address and write in the correct one. I am worse! I use deposit slips that I ordered more than 10 years ago that have the wrong last name and wrong bank on them! When Regions bought Amsouth, we got to keep our routing and account numbers. And I remarried. I do mark out the wrong last name and bank name and write those in. But I don't want anyone to doubt that my checks are good because that bank no longer exists and the names don't match. So I do order checks.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Sept 7, 2019 19:04:22 GMT -5
I order checks for my dad. He writes maybe 3 a month. I get them from the credit union. It's easier.
I ordered mine when I first moved here 10 years ago. I have a lifetime supply.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Sept 7, 2019 19:12:29 GMT -5
Checks are free! I write two checks a month. Three if give to charity. I fully expect to open box to get new batch and find nothing but bits of paper! They are that old. And I don’t even remember the last time I used a deposit slip
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ilovedolphins
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Post by ilovedolphins on Sept 7, 2019 19:29:07 GMT -5
I think I usually use Checks Unlimited. They are around $64.00 for 4 boxes and then they have a coupon code for 50% off of 4 boxes. I usually don't order unless they have a deal.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Sept 7, 2019 19:45:30 GMT -5
I used to order checks every time I moved. I stopped doing that about 9 years ago, b/c I had SO MANY checks just sitting in my filing cabinet, and the only thing that was different was the address. So, I’m still using up old checks with old addresses. I’m sure there’s a reason I shouldn’t do that, but it feels so wasteful to just shred them. And, really, if I write 5 checks a year, it’s a lot. And so far, they all get cashed just fine. That’s my long way of saying, I couldn’t even begin to guess what checks should cost, but under $20 seems like a good deal. The real estate company only takes cheques or money orders for rent. I still have a crapload with my old address . It's $50 for new ones, so'll I'll just use the old ones and cross the address out. They're fine with that.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Sept 7, 2019 20:04:21 GMT -5
I order from Checks in the Mail online. I use more deposit tickets for the rentals so just ordered a pad, $9.90. I buy generic plain. Why couldn't you use a new address label on old checks?
I write very few checks, I do 2 a month for MIL.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Sept 7, 2019 20:05:25 GMT -5
My checks also have the wrong bank name, and I probably have a lifetime supply! I ordered from Walmart, and I think it was between $5-10.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Sept 7, 2019 20:51:10 GMT -5
Checks are free through my bank for plain ones. I get duplicate usually, and those are also free, though that might be due to the amount of money in our accounts.
We probably write 10-15 check a year for various things.
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oped
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Post by oped on Sept 7, 2019 21:12:46 GMT -5
I did just order, i got one box free for each account and they gave me the duplicates free... i usually buy those, i or husband invariably forget to mark something and i just like the backup.
I only ordered because our bank changed names a year ago and this month stopped accepting the old ones... i had several books from each account left. but it is what it is.
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bobosensei
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Post by bobosensei on Sept 8, 2019 7:46:24 GMT -5
Mine are free from my bank too. I have ordered about a box (or whatever the smallest order is) a year the last three years due to changing name with divorce, moving, etc.
I usually burn old checks. I just wrote one to the exterminator Friday. He does take paypal, but I don't have a paypal account, and I had the cash but felt I can always prove I paid with the check and won't have to keep up with a receipt with cash. So my total will be 5 checks a year (one for HOA dues and 4 for the "bug man").
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Sept 8, 2019 8:09:02 GMT -5
I wait for some deal from the online places. Usually $5-10. A box lasts a long time. I probably write 10 or so a year. Most of them end up being my share of a group gift my family on mom's side did for grandma.
The 0% on the furniture gets a check. I don't trust them with auto payments. They charge to set up the payment yourself each month. I have plenty of checks. So I'm writing extra this year but that is paid off in January.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2019 8:15:16 GMT -5
That reminds me- I have to shred a bunch of checks from my old checking account- just moved to Fidelity, where there is no charge. Before that I bought them at Costco. I still need them on occasion- the local plumber prefers not to take credit cards and I just paid Garden Club dues with one. I just realized my estimated State and Federal taxes are also paid by check. I'm sure there's a way to do them on-line but I don't want to bother. Let them wait for it. ....when I started to reorder over the phone, it was going to be $75 for two boxes or $100+ for four. Huh? Yes, these were University of Alabama checks, but there were also all sorts of add-ons they were trying to charge for from a check register on. And this is another thing that drives me crazy- I'm not sure I've ever gone through even one box without changing banks or addresses- but that's the minimum order. Big waste of paper.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 8, 2019 12:08:22 GMT -5
I ordered checks in different patterns for my 3 checking accounts (the reason is complicated, maintaining them is not). I used either CheckWorks dot com or maybe ChecksintheMail dot com (google the names to get to the sits). This was over time between 5 and 10 years ago. I think I got 150 checks for each account for like 7.99 or less with shipping. I just checked ChecksNow and the pretty fancy checks are 9.99 for 125 with free shipping. There might be taxes or something else that gets added.
Probably more than CostCo... I haven't needed to reorder any of the checks yet (I use 5 or 6 per year off of each account...) And the different check patterns help me know which account I'm writing a check off of.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 8, 2019 12:15:32 GMT -5
I order from Checks in the Mail online. I use more deposit tickets for the rentals so just ordered a pad, $9.90. I buy generic plain. Why couldn't you use a new address label on old checks?I write very few checks, I do 2 a month for MIL. I would think twice about adding a label to a check... it might mess up the processing of the check... checks go thru machines... and sometimes the "sorter" doesn't catch the ones that aren't fit for the "reader" and those sometimes messes up the "reader". If the sorter catches your potentially machine messing up check - the check gets handled manually. If the check messes up the "reader" - it also gets handled manually IF ITS STILL readable. Sometimes checks get mangled and cannot be processed. I had a friend who worked for a bank on the "line" that ran thousands of checks thru the above process every night. Checks that went thru the process without needing manual entry got processed quickly (remember how you could guesstimate how long your payment check would take if you mailed it on say a Monday - you knew it was 2 days in the mail and then 1 day to process? it was because of the "line" processing above. thousands of checks processed and read automatically every day.) Checks that needed to be handled manually took longer - sometimes days or weeks.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2019 12:18:11 GMT -5
Free plain Jane ones from my bank because I'm old as dirt. 1/2 price safety deposit box too.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Sept 8, 2019 12:39:09 GMT -5
I'm one who still has to write at least 35 checks per year. There are 26 for the cleaning lady and at least six for the garbage service. Most of the contractors who do work at our house take checks, so there's a handful that gets written.
At this point, I just get the plane Jane ones from the bank, but they're still at least $10 per box for 150 checks. I usually get the duplicate ones, but now that there's digital imaging I suppose I don't need to do that.
Also, we have three banks. There's no logical reason to reduce the number of banks we have. It's just easier to have all there. That means I have three sets of checks though. I'm almost out of the checks for one of the banks that has our previous address on it. We've lived at our current address for seven years.
Anyhoo, I don't spend more than $15/box and a box will last me at least two years.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Sept 8, 2019 12:58:50 GMT -5
I write some checks on MIL, for the assisted living, for everything else hubs has a dedicated ATM card for her and her insurance is autopay.
Our trash guy also is by check, I write it on the LLC. A 1/3 is allocated to our personal drawing, the rest to two of our renters, saves money for all of us. Of course insurance and property taxes are paid annually so 1 check each. It still mounts up, more so for LLC checks and those are expensive, I get the book ones with the info to the left you can write out.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Sept 8, 2019 13:58:15 GMT -5
When I moved out here in 2012, I was nearing the end of my check stash from my KY address. I ordered new, with a WA address on them and I have not used 25 in 7 years.
Everything else, I pay online. I think the last check I wrote was for my prescription plan. I had set things up for my bank to automatically pay them $31/mo, but the company was so screwed up that it took them 5 months to get caught up. In the meantime I was getting letters from them about paying my bill. I finally stopped my bank’s bill pay and paid the rest of the year in full.
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MN-Investor
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Post by MN-Investor on Sept 8, 2019 16:20:14 GMT -5
Last year I ordered duplicate checks through Costco. I got 348 checks for $26.64. Since I don't write 50 checks a year, they will last me at least 7 years, which equates to less than $4/year. De minimis.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2019 17:42:54 GMT -5
For those ordering online with the promos, be aware that "returning" customers don't get the same deals that are advertised. This was years and years ago, but I reordered from one company using a promo and they increased the charge against my CC to the then-current cost of reorders. I had to refuse the checks when they arrived to avoid paying that inflated amount.
But I'm fine with the plain Jane ones from Costco. The price is good. Two boxes should last me a very long time although I will have written 3 checks in the last week. One was to our lawn guy, one was to a building supply company who delivered the materials to build Dh's ramp, and one was to the guy building the ramp.
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Sharon
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Post by Sharon on Sept 8, 2019 18:00:02 GMT -5
My bank has a deal if you only order one box at a time they are free but they don't advertise that fact I had to ask. I only knew to ask because one of the tellers tipped my Mom off to that fact.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2019 19:01:15 GMT -5
Two boxes should last me a very long time although I will have written 3 checks in the last week. One was to our lawn guy, one was to a building supply company who delivered the materials to build Dh's ramp, and one was to the guy building the ramp. It really surprises me that small businesses take checks. I'd think there would be a fair number that bounce, but the losses must be low enough that whatever % the credit card company rakes off isn't worth it.
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toomuchreality
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Post by toomuchreality on Sept 8, 2019 19:49:30 GMT -5
I order from Checks in the Mail online. I use more deposit tickets for the rentals so just ordered a pad, $9.90. I buy generic plain. Why couldn't you use a new address label on old checks?I write very few checks, I do 2 a month for MIL. I would think twice about adding a label to a check... it might mess up the processing of the check... checks go thru machines... and sometimes the "sorter" doesn't catch the ones that aren't fit for the "reader" and those sometimes messes up the "reader". If the sorter catches your potentially machine messing up check - the check gets handled manually. If the check messes up the "reader" - it also gets handled manually IF ITS STILL readable. Sometimes checks get mangled and cannot be processed. I had a friend who worked for a bank on the "line" that ran thousands of checks thru the above process every night. Checks that went thru the process without needing manual entry got processed quickly (remember how you could guesstimate how long your payment check would take if you mailed it on say a Monday - you knew it was 2 days in the mail and then 1 day to process? it was because of the "line" processing above. thousands of checks processed and read automatically every day.) Checks that needed to be handled manually took longer - sometimes days or weeks. Very true. And it's a huge problem. I used to be an encoder (I ran the checks and balanced them.), at a local utility company. Every day we processed thousands of checks, prior to them going to the bank(s). During the winter months we processed 20 times as many every day, sometimes more. There were only 2 machines, so we had to do it fast. Anything that was bent or needed extra handling or processing, got set aside until someone had time to research and verify it. Also, checks that were sent without a payment stub, or a different amount than the payment stub, were put in this pile. Most were processed within the month, but not always and not all. Some required making several phone calls to figure out what/where the customer wanted us to apply the credit. Those took lots longer. There was also a "dead" pile, for checks that no account could be found and there was no way to contact the sender. That is a big problem with money orders. People sign them but don't include any other information, and very often, the signature can't be read. In those cases, you will never get credit for your payment. Although it may be clear to you where the payment should be applied, it isn't always so obvious to the person handling your payment. And occasionally the check and the stub become separated, making things even more difficult. If you are ever paying by check and your name, address and account number of the receiving party don't match for any reason, you have more than one account with them (even if they are completely different items, or types), you are paying on an old account, or are helping a friend or family member, etc... be sure your write the correct information and account number on your check, and that it is legible. FYI- If you leave an outstanding bill somewhere, the info on your check is a very good source of information, for collection depts use in finding you.
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