Rant on check books

[Sigarms]

Perhaps a new forum for "RANT ON (insert topic)!:laughing:

I know, who uses checkbooks anymore....

However, they charge me like $45 with shipping (they actually came pretty fast, no complaints on shipping) however, I only get like 4 packs of checks and what really peeves me off is they only give me 2 deposit slips per check book!!!!

Just made a deposit yesterday, found out I missed a check I needed to deposit and I only have one deposit slip left. If you're going to charge me a premium price for being a dinosaur and still actually using handwritten checks, do me the favor and give me more than two deposit slips per check book!

 

[Diggin It]

I got 200 free when I opened an account many, many years ago. It was only recently that I got down to the least few. That bank has made a lot of changes and gone down hill significantly, so when I asked for more checks and they refused without charging me, that was one more nail in their coffin. I began exploring other banks and found one that gave the first order of checks free. I've since drawn down the one bank to almost nothing and will be closing that account sometime in '21, switching everything over to a couple of new banks. The 200 new checks I got this past year year could well last me the rest of my days.

 

[seville009]

probably because they get used alot less nowadays so the supply lasts longer.

Mobile apps let you make deposits with a picture of the check; works great.

Most residential invoices (gas, electric, phones, etc) let you pay via mobile phone by clicking a link right on the invoice.

I was hesitant to utilize these at first, but I use thrm as much as possible now.

 

[3Ts]

probably because they get used alot less nowadays so the supply lasts longer.

Mobile apps let you make deposits with a picture of the check; works great.

Most residential invoices (gas, electric, phones, etc) let you pay via mobile phone by clicking a link right on the invoice.

I was hesitant to utilize these at first, but I use thrm as much as possible now.

Not always. I received one check with black writing on a brown check with a different shade of brown of a world map. Couldn't do the deposit with a picture, not enough contrast to pick up the writing. But, for most "normal" checks it works well.

 

[SuperiorLakeEffect]

However, they charge me like $45 with shipping (they actually came pretty fast, no complaints on shipping) however, I only get like 4 packs of checks and what really peeves me off is they only give me 2 deposit slips per check book!!!!

Go inside the bank- they probably have a huge stack of them in the lobby. You can take as many as you want. You can even make your own! Just imagine the teller's surprise when she sees your loving crafted deposit slip decked out in construction paper cut outs and glitter!

I still keep my checkbook handy for one important thing- wanna get passive aggressive in the check out line? Pull out that checkbook to pay! Be sure to use your very best cursive and don't forget to fill out that check register while you're there!

 

[tibadoe]

I still use a few checks per year for certain purchases. (Tractor down payment for one!) Other than that, it's always credit. Deposits are either direct, mobile app, or drive thru. Check reordering is done online - best price and free shipping.

Does your bank have blank deposit slips? Noticed ours have stacks of deposit slips in lobby which you can take with you or fill out while there. Check out ChecksUnlimited ($5.50 a box for singles) or Sams Club. Both offer Free shipping at times.

 

[LouNY]

I still use a few checks but I haven't gotten them from the bank in years;
If you do a search for checks you will find dozens of places that will make checks for you.
On mine I get about a dozen deposit slips with 50 checks, but I also got several books of only deposit slips.
There are several hundred designs and almost unlimited personalizing available.

 

[Thall303]

Most kids and more than ever, adults cannot balance a checkbook. They depend on a bank or computer to manage their money and that is a mistake.

Just another of the dumbing down of America!

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I've never been able to do that. I quit trying longer ago than I can remember. Quicken solves all.

One thing that torques me off is that banks don't seem to like self printed checks. You can buy the paper blanks and software that makes checks exactly the same as the ones you buy from the bank. Same numbers and MICR bar codes. I used to do it all the time. But at some point, they decided they didn't like those any more. Haven't tried to use on in years, so I don't know if they'd be accepted or not.

 

[duffer]

There is a program called Versa Check that allows you to print your own checks on blank check paper, and all the deposit slips you want. I've used it for 15 years and never had a problem with a check not clearing the bank.

Now days, most banks have you use your ATM card to deposit checks. No deposit slip required.

Maybe you should consider changing banks. I know it's a pain, but I did it a few years ago and sure am glad I did. Banking is painless now, and free !

 

[LouNY]

Heck I don't have an ATM card.

 

[Tinhack]

$45 is cheap. I just paid $90 for 200 business account checks a few months ago. :fiery: They aren't special except they have my company name above my name. They are the same size as standard personal checks. Not a darn thing special about them--No logo or anything. I like those because they fit in a standard folding check book I can stick in my pocket. I'm "mostly" retired so this will be my last batch of those. :dance1:

 

[fried1765]

Heck I don't have an ATM card.

DITTO !!!

 

[PILOON]

When we were first married, as a joke, I wrote out a check to my wife for $1.00 on toilet tissue.
They cashed it!
LOL, I laminated it in plastic and still have it around somewhere.

I also recall that ballpoint could not be used for check writing at some period.

 

[Sigarms]

When we were first married, as a joke, I wrote out a check to my wife for $1.00 on toilet tissue.

As a joke, I made out a check to my MIL on a personal bet for our wedding day. Let's just say you can't pick relatives (NOT my inlaws as they are like my own biological parents!) and they sent the check back to me which I framed as I won the bet, but they couldn't cash the check in good will).

 

[Sigarms]

probably because they get used alot less nowadays so the supply lasts longer.

Mobile apps let you make deposits with a picture of the check; works great.

Most residential invoices (gas, electric, phones, etc) let you pay via mobile phone by clicking a link right on the invoice.

I was hesitant to utilize these at first, but I use thrm as much as possible now.

I do use online banking to an extent for some items.

My wife does use a mobile ap as she writes computer software, and has kept up with the times. Me, not so much if that makes any sense,

I understand the check book is dying for multiple reasons, but still, only two deposit slips with I'm gussing at least 25 checks?

 

[Sigarms]

Go inside the bank- they probably have a huge stack of them in the lobby. You can take as many as you want.

Thought of that. However, for what I spent on the checks, I HATE having to write my routing and checking number on those deposit slips and feel somewhat guilty for making the person behind the counter do all the work for me.

Way I see it, if I pay good money for checks, they should have the associated deposit slips with the checks.

 

[Sigarms]

Most kids and more than ever, adults cannot balance a checkbook. They depend on a bank or computer to manage their money and that is a mistake.

Just another of the dumbing down of America!

Have to laugh...

Growing up, with my check book, as long as I could balance it within $10 when I was in my late teens, I was happy with all the handwriten entries.

My mom died in 2002, but both her and my dad would be driven up the wall if they were off by one penny in their check book and they would find it.

I do electronic banking from time to time on behalf of my father. I still need to print every page out for my dad so he can go over it with pencil in his checkbook, and God forbid if he is off by 1 cent because he will be asking me to do more research:laughing:

 

[Sigarms]

On a sidenote, talking about it here, do they still do green stamps? Remember when my parents got me my first bank account in the 70's. Still remember collecting those green stamps and putting them in my blue bank deposit book.

Guess I'm just getting older and cranky. Spend that much money on checks and only get two deposit slips LOL

At least to this point, no one commented that my spelling on check books is incorrect:laughing: (for some reason, proper spelling seems more french to me LOL).

 

[Diggin It]

I also recall that ballpoint could not be used for check writing at some period.

That should be required. A ball point pen indents the paper so you can tell an original from a copy.

On a sidenote, talking about it here, do they still do green stamps?

One of my grocery stores gives out stamps. Once you have enough to fill a book, you can redeem it for discounts on purchases. If you don't want them, there is a bulletin board you can put them on for various local charities.