the last person paying bills by check?

[ovrszd]

Re: Am I the last person paying bills by check?

LOL ... none taken!!! Yes I'm that guy. I even take the time to be sure its entered in my ledger... only takes a few more seconds of time!!!!

Thanks for seeing my light hearted teasing as just that!!!! Some people get so worked up these days!!!!

 

[downsizingnow48]

We do all payments electronically and automatically, except for property tax, the propane company, and local folks that prefer a check. Have done for years, never any issues. Maybe a half dozen checks a year in total.

Recently my wife took over bill paying for her 95 year old dad who was getting too absent minded to stay on top of it. Everything still in paper. Not the end of the world but something of a nuisance to keep track of incoming bills and get checks mailed timely.

Occasionally I get stuck behind someone writing a check in the grocery store. I just use the opportunity to get caught up with wife, family, TBN, whatever, on the iPhone.

 

[ovrszd]

We do all payments electronically and automatically, except for property tax, the propane company, and local folks that prefer a check. Have done for years, never any issues. Maybe a half dozen checks a year in total.

Recently my wife took over bill paying for her 95 year old dad who was getting too absent minded to stay on top of it. Everything still in paper. Not the end of the world but something of a nuisance to keep track of incoming bills and get checks mailed timely.

Occasionally I get stuck behind someone writing a check in the grocery store. I just use the opportunity to get caught up with wife, family, TBN, whatever, on the iPhone.

My 94 year old Mother died last month. Still paid everything by check. Never had a debit/credit card. She was very sharp minded so we didn't have error issues with her. Just had to keep buying her stamps and envelopes.

 

[mjarrels]

Fees to use debit cards to pay property taxes are high, last time I paid a fine in the court system, fees to use debit card were larger than the fine. Last time I wrote a check was in 1994.

mark

 

[DFB]

I take lots of checks marketing products for the greenhouse. Most of my customers all carry checkbooks. (Mainly it's the women that have them even if they're with a guy )

I had one woman writing me checks quite regular always buying lots of stuff. Then I didn't see her for quite while at least a good season or more..she comes back now but ALWAYS with her husband and never alone. :laughing:

And most but not all customers have their complete address printed on a check including their phone number. For the ones that don't I politely ask them to put a number down on the check informing them that is what the business requires of check writers and I have to ensure the procedures are followed.

Most people quickly respond..."Oh my check won't bounce"

Oh that's good I always say because the very last thing you would ever want is the old woman that runs this business calling you about paying up.



Dang if I took plastic (debit or credit) on my remote sale site I could not imagine the increased volume of sales I would have. People ask all the time.

 

[mjarrels]

Remember about 25 years ago when senators and congressmen where bouncing checks left and right at the house bank with no conquences?

mark

 

[MossRoad]

I often get stuck behind old people writing checks at the grocery store. So what! That's life. The old bag isn't trying to hold me up on purpose. That's just the way she works.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm down to writing 1 check a month to pay bills. everything else I either have as automatic draft, or I initiate a payment online or over the phone.

I was a long time hold out and up till just a year ago I was still a check writer.

I have 2 local utilities that charge a service fee to pay online or on the phone with a debit/check or credit card.

So for one of them I just drop a check in the mail.. The other has a very local office , on my way to work, so i drop in their after getting the bill and just pay at their office.

I think It's backwards.... I can pay at their office with debit/credit/check for no fee.. but if I pay online or over the phone with debit/credit/check, there is a 4.95$ western union convienience fee to handle the transaction... go figure.

If that other utility will finally change over to no fee when paying online/phone, I'll be down to no regular checks per month.

I think my wife also only writes a single re-occuring check per month as well.

Each month I pay bills for a number of different people/entities

Some are property accounts, some are elderly and also for Mom...

Recently, I've noticed an uptick is payment errors... thank goodness I have the cancelled checks as proof.

Just received a delinquent bill for underpayment plus penalty for an account I pay water for the last 30 years...

I don't have delinquent bills... not now or never.

Pulled my cancelled check and it was endorsed and deposited by water company within a week from when I received it...

Clear as day with account number and property address on face of check...

Turns out the payment was credited to someone else and not my account.

When asked how this could happen I was told I should not use checks because it is automated and mistakes happen.

In the old days there were several local offices to walk in and pay... not anymore... only one office downtown with no parking...

So far it's taken 30 minutes being passed around to resolve.

In the past 12 months similar has happened with a car insurance payment, property tax payment and HOA dues...

I can only imagine where I would be if I couldn't produce a cancelled check.

Did sign up for auto mortgage payments throught the credit union for my credit union mortgage... that too was screwed up for about 6 weeks because someone transposed the account number... since then, the last 7 years have been trouble free. At least is was from one Credit Union Account to another under one roof.

 

[DFB]

I often get stuck behind old people writing checks at the grocery store. So what! That's life. The old bag isn't trying to hold me up on purpose. That's just the way she works.

My grandmother never even had a checkbook

She used to make me drive her to all the local offices to pay her bills in person with cash. (phone, electric, cable, insurance co. )

Freaking monthly ritual. :laughing:

God bless her soul

 

[ultrarunner]

My Great Great Aunt paid all her bills in person... she was still doing so in her 90's driving her 1959 Rambler... everyone knew her... it was like being with a celebrity.

She really couldn't be at ease if she owed someone.

My bank has a 6 month look back online... if I were to switch to their full program and I would have 2 two years online.

Might have to check with the Credit Union... they really do treat me well... just a drive out of my way to get there...

My B of A checking says "Valued Customer since 1948"

Of course there is more to the story...