|
Post by lisae on Jun 22, 2022 0:58:53 GMT
Yes, to pay for home repairs, insurance and some small businesses like the florist. It costs them a service fee for a card and I pay cash or write a check in those instances.
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 22, 2022 1:34:33 GMT
I use them for money to grandchildren and yard services. Regarding small businesses--per my SIL the credit card companies take 15 to 18% for the fees, so it helps the company if you write a check. I realize many retailers won't take a check any more. We write probably a couple every month or so, but for our business we accept a lot of them still (DH is a master craftsman / contractor). We had been absorbing the credit card fees for close to ten years, but recently we received a notice that our rate for accepting card payments was going to go up to 4% of the sale plus a separate transaction fee, up from about 2.9% or so before. Which doesn’t seem like a whole lot, until the bill is $1500 or so which would be an extra $60+ out of our pocket. When 75% of your clients whip out their credit or debit card purely out of convenience, it really adds up. We don’t have to pay anything extra to deposit a check or cash. Our monthly credit card fees were running anywhere between $200-400 a month depending on how many people paid with debit or credit cards and that’s a lot for a small business to eat annually without raising prices. He decided we’re just not doing that anymore and started to tell clients he is happy to take their card but it will cost them an extra 4% to offset that added expense. When given the option to pay with a check or cash without the extra charge, more people now decide to write a check. For people in countries where no one uses checks, how do the businesses reconcile having to pay the added fees for only accepting cards? Or is there no added charge for the vendor for bank transfers like Venmo, Zelle, etc.?
|
|
|
Post by Zee on Jun 22, 2022 1:37:33 GMT
When I mentioned on another thread only a week ago how it's strange to me that Americans still use checks, several people commented that most people don't use checks, the idea that people use them is overblown, and it's only/mainly old people who do. It seems from this thread that there are still plenty of people who still use checks. FTR, I haven't used a cheque since last century, for over 25 years, nor do I know anyone who does. I am on the social club committee at work, and there was still one old retired bloke who used to pay for things with a cheque. About five years ago we told him that we would no longer accept cheques and he would have to pay by EFT. He is unable (unwilling?) to do that, so he has to get his daughter to pay for everything now. That's because this IS a board of old people 😂🤭 Some places might require checks as payment still, IDK because I pay everything through my credit union's bill pay and they send checks out if necessary. I don't write them and haven't for a very long time. I think we have used three checks since moving here 4 years ago. I don't remember what they were for. I use online methods or cash apps. I never use cash, either. Card only.
|
|
quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
|
Post by quiltz on Jun 22, 2022 1:50:17 GMT
I write cheques occasionally - there are some government offices where cards cost a convenience fee and some tradespeople prefer cheques as well - and they give a small discount for paying with one (probably because they don't have to pay the card fees). The one I'm currently irritated with is a UK government office - I want to get my dad's military records and they seem to only take a cheque and of course, I only have US cheques which won't work and I'm still trying to figure out a solution to that one. You go to the bank and get a money order based in UK Sterling. The bank will convert the US$-UK$ and easy OR your bank can wire the money in UK$. I have had to do this when sending money in Euroes.
|
|
milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,570
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
|
Post by milocat on Jun 22, 2022 2:01:56 GMT
Yes, at least 7-8 per month for mailed in bills. Why not just pay them online through your bank?
|
|
christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,384
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
|
Post by christinec68 on Jun 22, 2022 2:06:00 GMT
I ran out of checks last year and just reordered some…there were a handful of times I had to move things around a bit bc I didn’t have any. It was easier to get my own checks again.
|
|
milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,570
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
|
Post by milocat on Jun 22, 2022 2:06:08 GMT
Slight hi-Jack…does anyone else write “cheque” still or is it just me? I presume it’s the English spelling because I do! I begrudgingly write two every Christmas to relatives for whom I don’t have bank details. I don’t begrudge the gift, just the using of a cheque. Other than them, I ,too, haven’t written a personal one this century and I’ve not written a business one in over 10 years. DH got one through the post last week which irked me as our local banks have closed and it’s a nuisance finding a way of paying it in. It’s from a Government department who take payment online and have our details so you think they’d get their act together and make a direct transfer. Here, Canada, you just need an email address to send money. But of course the recipient would need email and online banking. I remember my aunt calling me about a couple years ago asking how this etransfer thing works. She thought it was so easy once I explained. Can you not deposit cheques through your bank with your phone? It takes a photo in the app. We can do that for personal or business.
|
|
amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,409
Jun 27, 2014 12:39:18 GMT
|
Post by amom23 on Jun 22, 2022 2:12:59 GMT
Yes, at least 7-8 per month for mailed in bills. Why not just pay them online through your bank? I live in a rural community so the option to pay online with a CC or bank account isn't always an option. Our local school just a couple years ago finally established an online option to pay fees. There is a service fee though. If you want to go to an athletic event and/or buy something at the concession stand it is cash or check only. My hair stylist only accepts cash or check. It probably sounds crazy and very dated to use checks, but it's still a way of life here.
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jun 22, 2022 2:16:55 GMT
I write cheques occasionally - there are some government offices where cards cost a convenience fee and some tradespeople prefer cheques as well - and they give a small discount for paying with one (probably because they don't have to pay the card fees). The one I'm currently irritated with is a UK government office - I want to get my dad's military records and they seem to only take a cheque and of course, I only have US cheques which won't work and I'm still trying to figure out a solution to that one. You go to the bank and get a money order based in UK Sterling. The bank will convert the US$-UK$ and easy OR your bank can wire the money in UK$. I have had to do this when sending money in Euroes. Thank you - I'll check with my credit union and see if they can do that for me.
|
|
|
Post by mollycoddle on Jun 22, 2022 2:20:44 GMT
I pay contractors by check.
|
|
milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,570
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
|
Post by milocat on Jun 22, 2022 2:27:36 GMT
Why not just pay them online through your bank? I live in a rural community so the option to pay online with a CC or bank account isn't always an option. Our local school just a couple years ago finally established an online option to pay fees. There is a service fee though. If you want to go to an athletic event and/or buy something at the concession stand it is cash or check only. My hair stylist only accepts cash or check. It probably sounds crazy and very dated to use checks, but it's still a way of life here. I live in a very rural community too but I just pay my bills from home through my bank via my slow internet. Any bill that you can pay at a bank you can pay from your house via the bank. My mom started doing it probably 25+ years ago when it was just telephone banking, then switched over to internet banking. She didn't like coming to town just because a bill was due. If I don't have cash I etransfer my hair dresser (or anyone I owe money to). You just need someone's email address to send them money via your online banking, they deposit in their account via their online banking. Neither of these things exist in your area/country?
|
|
|
Post by AussieMeg on Jun 22, 2022 2:40:04 GMT
That's because this IS a board of old people 😂🤭 I'm triggered!
|
|
|
Post by Zee on Jun 22, 2022 2:43:13 GMT
That's because this IS a board of old people 😂🤭 I'm triggered! That's ok, I include myself in that number 😁
|
|
tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
|
Post by tracylynn on Jun 22, 2022 3:27:23 GMT
I use them for money to grandchildren and yard services. Regarding small businesses--per my SIL the credit card companies take 15 to 18% for the fees, so it helps the company if you write a check. I realize many retailers won't take a check any more. Any business paying 15-18% in credit card fees has not shopped around. They should be able to get less than 5%. On a side note, it annoys me when businesses add a convenience fee for someone using a credit card. The convenience here is they know they are going to get paid. The money is going to hit their bank in 1-2 business days. They don't have to wonder if someone is going to write a bad check and they don't have to make a trip to the bank to get it done. It's simply a cost of doing business. If they don't want to pay the fees, then don't takes credit cards. But I bet the total A/R looks a lot better and is less aged because they do take credit cards. For most companies I deal with (not on a personal level, but through my work) the credit card fees are well worth it when compared to the time and money trying to collect A/R balances and writes offs that have to be made because they are never going to get paid (collections are rarely worth the time and money).
|
|
janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,641
Jun 26, 2014 14:35:07 GMT
|
Post by janeliz on Jun 22, 2022 3:51:33 GMT
Not often, but occasionally. I’m trying to think of the things I’ve written checks for recently…vehicle taxes…a donation to St. Jude…the water bill (they still charge a fee to pay online)…oh, and the good ol’ IRS back in April.
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 22, 2022 3:55:44 GMT
I use them for money to grandchildren and yard services. Regarding small businesses--per my SIL the credit card companies take 15 to 18% for the fees, so it helps the company if you write a check. I realize many retailers won't take a check any more. Any business paying 15-18% in credit card fees has not shopped around. They should be able to get less than 5%. On a side note, it annoys me when businesses add a convenience fee for someone using a credit card. The convenience here is they know they are going to get paid. The money is going to hit their bank in 1-2 business days. They don't have to wonder if someone is going to write a bad check and they don't have to make a trip to the bank to get it done. It's simply a cost of doing business. If they don't want to pay the fees, then don't takes credit cards. But I bet the total A/R looks a lot better and is less aged because they do take credit cards. For most companies I deal with (not on a personal level, but through my work) the credit card fees are well worth it when compared to the time and money trying to collect A/R balances and writes offs that have to be made because they are never going to get paid (collections are rarely worth the time and money). I hear what you’re saying but when businesses do add on a convenience fee for only those transactions involving the card payments that create those additional fees it gives *the consumer* a choice of whether to use their card and pay for that choice or opt for the lower cost by paying another way. The other alternative is for the business to just raise their rates 5% across the board for everybody and then EVERYONE pays for some client’s convenience to use a card. With the way people already complain that contractors charge an arm and a leg for their services, most people prefer to have the option of not having to pay a dime more than they have to. With mobile deposits, etc. we don’t ever go to the bank and the funds from the checks DH takes go into our account just as quickly as if he was paid with a card. Knock on wood, but I’d say we’ve only had to deal with a bad check 3-4 times in the last 10 years, so it really hasn’t been a huge deal for us.
|
|
garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,770
Location: So. Calif.
Jun 25, 2014 23:22:29 GMT
|
Post by garcia5050 on Jun 22, 2022 4:22:15 GMT
When I mentioned on another thread only a week ago how it's strange to me that Americans still use checks, several people commented that most people don't use checks, the idea that people use them is overblown, and it's only/mainly old people who do. It seems from this thread that there are still plenty of people who still use checks. I’m going to risk some online ire here. But aren’t a lot of peas ‘older’? If a large percentage of us were at the original 2peas site, let’s say we were already adults in 2000. At minimum, aren’t most of us middle-aged? All that to say that I think we might have higher numbers of check-writers. I write one check per month, thanks to my gardener. I’ve asked him about Zelle, Venmo, PayPal? He just shakes his head at me. Most of my friends and family haven’t written a check in years.
|
|
|
Post by KiwiJo on Jun 22, 2022 4:39:03 GMT
I see a number of people talking about using a credit card - is EFT (electronic funds transfer) not a thing in USA? To pay rent, doctors bills, a gardener, or anyone really, I just enter their bank account number into my bank’s app, add the amount and a reference number (eg invoice number or whatever) and the funds get taken from my account and put into theirs. I do use a credit card for most online shopping, but EFT is so quick and easy for service providers and no-one gets charged any fees.
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jun 22, 2022 5:13:08 GMT
To pay rent, doctors bills, a gardener, or anyone really, I just enter their bank account number into my bank’s app, add the amount and a reference number (eg invoice number or whatever) and the funds get taken from my account and put into theirs I've been trying to figure out how to answer this without sounding confusing. In my case, I only give out my bank account information when necessary. I don't ask others for theirs. I would never ask my gardener for his bank account number. I wouldn't ask most of my friends and even relatives for theirs. What is popular here is Venmo, do you have that? It is like Paypal. You can transfer money to others with the Venmo app, but both parties have be on Venmo. I do use EFT. I initiate most of the transactions and they are all to big companies for things like credit card payments and utility bills. I also get funds transferred in from my Company (paycheck) or my tax refunds. Most of my doctor bills are taken care of when I see the doctor. I pay my co-pay when I arrive. If I owe anything, I get an invoice and will either send them a check or call them and give them my credit card number. Their bank account information is not on the invoice. ETA - Just wanted add that when I set up payments to my credit card company or utilities, I only put things in like their address and phone number. Somehow my bank figures out who it is, and determines their bank information. I don't have their bank information. And it then gets set up as an EFT. I did have one credit card that for some reason my bank could not set up the EFT for three months. During those three months, they get sent a physical check. My bank finally figured it out and they now have them on the EFT system.
|
|
sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,418
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
|
Post by sueg on Jun 22, 2022 5:21:03 GMT
I know I haven't written a cheque for at least 13 years, as we haven't had a cheque account here in Germany - I am not sure they even exist here. Everything is done by bank transfer - rent, utilities, cell phone etc are set up as regular payments. It is very interesting, as Germany is - or at least was, up until Covid hit - a very cash oriented society. People would pay with cash, not card everywhere - grocery stores, hardware stores, even places like IKEA! - but bills are paid by bank transfer.
We didn't use cheques for years before leaving Australia either. In our state, bank accounts with a cheque facility had extra fees attached, so we gave up on them sometime back in the 1990s.
As for the comment on it being an age thing - I am over 60, my dad who is in his mid 80s also doesn't use cheques either. If 'old' Germans and Aussies can deal with it, I think Americans could too.
|
|
sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,418
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
|
Post by sueg on Jun 22, 2022 5:24:40 GMT
I've been trying to figure out how to answer this without sounding confusing. In my case, I only give out my bank account information when necessary. I don't ask others for theirs. I would never ask my gardener for his bank account number. I wouldn't ask most of my friends and even relatives for theirs. What is popular here is Venmo, do you have that? It is like Paypal. You can transfer money to others with the Venmo app, but both parties have be on Venmo. All our bank accounts here have what is known as an 'IBAN' - International Banking something Number - and that is what you give to people. They can ONLY use it to deposit funds in your account. That is also what a business will give you in order to pay a bill. We've used it for over a decade here, and have had no issues with fraud on our accounts. I have heard of Venmo, but never used it. I don't know how widespread its use is in Europe.
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jun 22, 2022 5:31:53 GMT
I've been trying to figure out how to answer this without sounding confusing. In my case, I only give out my bank account information when necessary. I don't ask others for theirs. I would never ask my gardener for his bank account number. I wouldn't ask most of my friends and even relatives for theirs. What is popular here is Venmo, do you have that? It is like Paypal. You can transfer money to others with the Venmo app, but both parties have be on Venmo. All our bank accounts here have what is known as an 'IBAN' - International Banking something Number - and that is what you give to people. They can ONLY use it to deposit funds in your account. That is also what a business will give you in order to pay a bill. We've used it for over a decade here, and have had no issues with fraud on our accounts. I have heard of Venmo, but never used it. I don't know how widespread its use is in Europe. That is interesting! We don’t have such a thing as IBAN in the US, at least not that I am aware of. I would like a system like that.
|
|
|
Post by gillyp on Jun 22, 2022 7:52:03 GMT
There have been a couple of questions on my previous posts and rather than try and quote more than one and get myself in a mess on my phone, I’ll try and address them here.
Not all UK banks have the option to scan cheques to deposit them through an app.. I have 3 current accounts, one joint with my DH which is an internet only bank (no physical branches) we have been with for over 30 years, another with my DH which I had to open when I started work with a bank and they would not pay me unless it went into one of their accounts and a third for my business. Of those 3, only my business account will accept scanned cheques. The parent company for that bank is National Australia Bank - Australia at the forefront again!
UK banks charge businesses for every single thing. I am charged to pay in cash, withdraw cash, swop notes for coin, pay in cheques, write a cheque, pay (a lot) if the cheque paid in is bad and the bank have to tell me, rental for the credit card machine, fees for using the credit card machine, fees for ensuring everything we do with the credit card info is legal and customers’ data is protected (this is determined by US banks) I have to provide the stationery to use the machine. However, I pay least fees if my customers pay me by credit or debit card, I don’t have the hassle of counting takings and banking them (my bank closed, the nearest is 100 miles away so I have to deposit cash via the Post Office and it can take up to 4 days for the deposit to show in my account) and I know money for purchases made by credit or debit card will hit my account in 48 hours. I DID used to charge customers a 30p fee for using a card to offset the £000s I was paying in charges but our government made it illegal to charge because the big companies (airlines And so on were charging over £7 per transaction). Since Covid the majority of my customers, I’m just a little mom and pop candy store, pay by card and the fees are proportionally cheaper due to the volume of transactions.
We have IBAN in the UK but the banks charge a lot for you to use it. Iirc it was over £30 per transaction over 10 years ago.
I don’t understand the reticence of some here who don’t want others (people they are to pay, people who are to pay them) to know their bank account numbers. Giving a business your bank details is as safe as giving them your credit card details, there are many security layers. I know the account details of all my suppliers, other than those I buy goods online from where I pay by credit card. Many companies know MY bank account details so they can take payments from my account usually by direct debit which also has layers of security built in. On a personal level I pay all bills by direct debit or EFT. Electronic banking is quick and as safe as any other method. To my knowledge the UK does not use Venmo or similar but we do have PayPal.
|
|
AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,087
Jul 4, 2014 6:57:02 GMT
|
Post by AllieC on Jun 22, 2022 8:06:34 GMT
I’m 56 and have never had a cheque book! In Australia they started phasing them out in the mid 1990’s and electronic transfers took over. I don’t think I’ve even seen one for many years.
|
|
|
Post by gar on Jun 22, 2022 8:13:55 GMT
In my case, I only give out my bank account information when necessary. I don't ask others for theirs. I would never ask my gardener for his bank account number. I wouldn't ask most of my friends and even relatives for theirs. It's a way of life. 'Everyone' does it When you share those details people can't access your account for anything other than depositing money. I bet you'll be doing it without a second thought in a few years, it's just so easy and convenient and if it were inherently risky it wouldn't be so common here.
|
|
|
Post by mollycoddle on Jun 22, 2022 9:52:30 GMT
When I mentioned on another thread only a week ago how it's strange to me that Americans still use checks, several people commented that most people don't use checks, the idea that people use them is overblown, and it's only/mainly old people who do. It seems from this thread that there are still plenty of people who still use checks. I’m going to risk some online ire here. But aren’t a lot of peas ‘older’? If a large percentage of us were at the original 2peas site, let’s say we were already adults in 2000. At minimum, aren’t most of us middle-aged? All that to say that I think we might have higher numbers of check-writers. I write one check per month, thanks to my gardener. I’ve asked him about Zelle, Venmo, PayPal? He just shakes his head at me. Most of my friends and family haven’t written a check in years. The guy who cuts my grass also likes a check. I do not use checks much at all. I just had some drain work done, and used a check to pay for that. I would have been happy to have used a cc, but he seemed fine with a check. I got rid of PayPal because of the phishing and scams. Venmo? I just can’t. Ugh. I AM old, and like to keep things simple. The fewer accounts I have, the happier I am.
|
|
|
Post by mollycoddle on Jun 22, 2022 10:19:39 GMT
When I mentioned on another thread only a week ago how it's strange to me that Americans still use checks, several people commented that most people don't use checks, the idea that people use them is overblown, and it's only/mainly old people who do. It seems from this thread that there are still plenty of people who still use checks. FTR, I haven't used a cheque since last century, for over 25 years, nor do I know anyone who does. I am on the social club committee at work, and there was still one old retired bloke who used to pay for things with a cheque. About five years ago we told him that we would no longer accept cheques and he would have to pay by EFT. He is unable (unwilling?) to do that, so he has to get his daughter to pay for everything now. This made me chuckle, because I did the same thing. I bought something from someone who takes Venmo, and I had my friend’s daughter send it. I gave her cash. 😁
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 1:19:45 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2022 10:26:29 GMT
I use them for money to grandchildren and yard services. Regarding small businesses--per my SIL the credit card companies take 15 to 18% for the fees, so it helps the company if you write a check. I realize many retailers won't take a check any more. I don’t think the fees are that high but there are fees. I take payments every day. I tell people that paying by debit or credit card incurs a 3.5% fee. Sometimes they pay it and sometimes they choose to bring in or mail a check. It never dawned on me to suggest they use the bill pay feature through their bank. I write checks to pay federal and state taxes quarterly and my taxes in April. That right there is 10 checks.
|
|
mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,074
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
|
Post by mimima on Jun 22, 2022 10:53:57 GMT
What I don't understand about the "just use bill pay" idea - which I do understand (though not use) is that bill pay prints out a check and mails it, right? So the recipient gets a check in the mail, just not from me. So, I just send a check in the mail from me. I do pay several things online, though.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 1:19:45 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2022 10:58:20 GMT
I write cheques occasionally - there are some government offices where cards cost a convenience fee and some tradespeople prefer cheques as well - and they give a small discount for paying with one (probably because they don't have to pay the card fees). The one I'm currently irritated with is a UK government office - I want to get my dad's military records and they seem to only take a cheque and of course, I only have US cheques which won't work and I'm still trying to figure out a solution to that one. You get an international money order from your bank or if you apply on line you can make a direct payment . link
|
|