2009.07.06
No more checks
Hello all. I hope you had a merry July 4th weekend.
As we get settled into this new week, I have a question for you. Are you still writing checks?
I've noticed that more retailers, mostly restaurants, no longer are accepting checks. Locally, Starbucks and Bruster's Real Ice Cream recently have posted signs stating that due to economic conditions, they no longer will take consumers' checks. They'll only accept cash or credit cards.
Let me know if you've seen other retailers make similar changes.
We're largely a card-carrying society now. Most people don't even keep cash in their wallets or purses.
So, does this decision by some retailers to not accept checks matter to you?
Personally, I have not written a check in years and rarely have cash to use. If a retailer does not accept plastic, I do not give them my business. I hate getting in the line to pay, especially at the grocery store, to see the person in front of me paying with a check. Checks are so slow. Also, as a retailer, I would never take the chance (not to mention the Bank fees that are associated) with receiving a bad check.
Comment by Adam — July 6, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
As a retailer in business for 13+ years, I can definitely say that spending habits have changed dramatically over the years. We rarely ever get cash anymore, even for small amounts. We send a 'batch' of credit/debit card sales through everyday, but will sometimes go days between bank deposits made up of (overwhelmingly)checks, and on occasion, a small amount of cash. I would MUCH rather have a check because I don't pay any fees to take that money, but if people are writing bad checks, I don't blame the retailer. Collecting on a bad check takes forever.
Comment by mom to boys and dogs — July 6, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
The only time I write a check at a retail store is when I purchase cigars and pipe tobacco at a local tobacco shop that does not accpet credit cards. Otherwise I use my credit card generally for all purchases over $10 and pay the balance off monthy. For smaller purchases I usually pay cash. (When it comes to paying bills I prefer to write a check even though paying online is convenient.)
Comment by Dick Morgan — July 7, 2009 @ 12:08 am
Jenny,
Dominoes on Brambleton no longer takes checks. Grace's Place on Grandin no longer takes checks. It's cash or cards at both.
Comment by Dan Casey — July 7, 2009 @ 12:30 am
I rarely use checks anymore. Mostly for church and/or registrations for kids activities. When churches & schools begin to take debit cards, I will stop writing checks there, also! I can see it now, the collection basket will have a card reader right along the side. Some churches do offer online tithing, which can be effective.
Comment by John Gallagher — July 7, 2009 @ 7:14 am
I'm happy to see it. Checks slow things down because so many check-writers don't even pull out their checkbooks until the total is announced, much less start filling it out.
Comment by Robin — July 7, 2009 @ 8:15 am
I think I saw a check hanging on the wall in the art museum!
Comment by Greg — July 7, 2009 @ 9:16 am
As a small business owner, I appreciate those writing checks. It takes a few minutes to write a check, yes, but at my place no one is waiting in line behind the check writer. I am in a relationship-oriented business where customers maintain face-to-face contact so chasing a customer for a bad check has not been an issue. Credit cards are accepted, although I feel as the "mom to boys and dogs" does that paying credit card fees is not the fun part of accepting them. It is uncommon that we handle cash.
As a consumer, I rarely carry cash, relying on my debit card instead, and typically use checks for bills paid by mail.
Comment by B.R.A.M. — July 7, 2009 @ 9:25 am
I will be celebrating the day that checks are gone for good. They are such a time waster, and it drives me crazy that people wait till after the total has been given to them to get their book out and start writing...I was at the gas station the other day, and I had to wait for the person to finish pumping and then go over to the cashier and pay by check. Who the heck pays for gas by check?!?
Comment by Joe — July 7, 2009 @ 10:13 am
Dommino's in Salem and most gas stations no longer take checks. I don't think I've written a check for anything not school-related in years.
Comment by Sean — July 7, 2009 @ 10:41 am
Checks...are for paying the mortgage and annoying neighbor kids sellings cookies/popcorn/magazines.
Nothing more.
Comment by Rich — July 7, 2009 @ 10:57 am
The Little Dipper ice cream shop on the Market only takes cash. They've had a sign up stating that, for a while now.
Comment by Debbie — July 7, 2009 @ 11:22 am
I'm with B.R.A.M. as far as the face to face contact with my clients. Also a less hurried atmosphere.
Unfortunately the banking system gets their "cut" regardless of payment type.
1) They charge a business for each deposit made, and then charge for each item in that deposit (checks)
2) With credit & debit cards they (the banking system) have a multi-tier system of charging the business. Usually a flat fee for debit cards, and an escalating fee on credit cards. To a business the most expensive type of credit card to process are those that have a worn magnetic strip that doesn't read, a "rewards" card, or a business credit card. Plus a monthly fee.
Many consumers don't realize the real costs of "plastic" to a business.
We are well on our way to a "paperless" society.
It's just annoying when some businesses make it difficulty to pay by CASH Try to check into a hotel without a credit card! The vast majority of gas stations, where you must hand them cash before pumping gas, and have the privilege of standing in line twice to receive your change after pumping gas. I respect the potential for drive offs, but when I'm the only customer and I purposely use the pump closest to the cashier, so I can make eye contact and they see I'm not going to be a drive off. Cash first! Give me a break...
Then there's Sheets! Two or so years ago I stopped giving them my puny $300- $400 / month in gas purchases, because I was told it's too "stressful" on the employees to keep up with the gas pumps. That came from upper management!!!
Comment by Steve — July 7, 2009 @ 11:50 am
I have to say I am a little sad reading some of these posts. I understand that everyone is in a hurry today, and I am no exception. I am in my 20's and I do feel rushed quite frequently. However, I think that we as a society have no patience any more. Sure it takes a couple minutes to write out a check, but what's a couple minutes? Maybe while we are waiting on someone to write their check, we can take a minute to clear our head or say a little prayer for someone in need. My grandma still writes checks and I would hate to think that someone in line behind her would harrass her, roll their eyes, or make comments to her to hurry up simply because she grew up differently than we did. Check writing is slow, but I feel like it will be a lost art - just like writing a letter. Have you ever looked at letters (or checks) written 30 years ago? They had such pretty hand writing then. And today, I see adults who can barely write so that it's readable. I guess all I am saying is maybe we should be thankful for things even if it is "old-timey" and slows us down. Maybe we need to be slowed down every once in a while.
Comment by Julie F — July 7, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
I still use checks at the grocery store & places like Lowe's & Wal-Mart. I have gotten some nasty looks and grunts from people behind me, but I figure if a person is in that big of a hurry to get outside, then go through the self checkout lines. I have only 1 credit card that I use sparingly (mostly for a few Internet purchases, car rentals, concert tickets, etc.) and use cash the rest of the time. If I don't have the cash or money on my credit card, I don't need to be going in that kind of store to begin with.
If all of us only had one credit card and never wrote a bad check (in a perfect world,) then these stores would not have to set the cash or card only policies and the economy would not be in the sorry state it is now.
Comment by Laura — July 7, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
I only write checks when I have to. Primarily for paying my rent, car, and utility bills. There are a few companies that still charge a service fee for paying a bill by credit card on their website.
Comment by Eric — July 7, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Rarely write a check anymore; make all my gas purchases with a credit card that is for that purpose only, mainly because most stations wanted you to pay first if using cash; some stations are saying cash only because they have pay back the credit card companies.....go figure
Comment by Debit — July 7, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
People that don't want to use a credit card, there are things called check cards...takes money right out of your checking account just like a check...even grandmas can get them.
If people are going to use a check, I really am OK with it. Just have some decency for the people behind you and fill out the sections you can before they are done ringing you up. You can fill your check register when you are out of line, and not stopping the people behind you.
Comment by Joe — July 7, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
I can see why restaurants and the like have stopped accepting checks, they probably use up what little profit they make in handling and depositing it.
I don't foresee checks disappearing for good, a lot of landlords do not accept credit or debit cards, checks or money orders are the only way to go.
Doug
Comment by Doug Pirahna — July 7, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
My wife does the banking/bill paying for us, and she still writes checks for all of our bills. We do not do any online banking at all. We almost never write checks at retail places, mostly use a credit card. Which we pay off when billed so we have no interest to pay.
Comment by Dennis — July 8, 2009 @ 8:45 am
Steve I understand your point about the cost of plastic to a business owner but frankly as a consumer I don't care. It's no different than any other costs associated with running a business. Besides, if you are using a check verification system you are paying a fee for that service anyway. As a former retail manager I would much rather someone use a debit card and I know I am getting the money. With a check you might get the money and you might not.
Also, the increased sales from accepting debit cards should more than cover those costs. I'm sure not all businesses have seen sales increases but I know most of them have. Take the fast food industry for example. Before debit cards if someone didn't have cash they didn't bother to stop thus a lost sale. Now as long as you have a debit card you can eat whenever you want.
I agree with you on the cash issue except for hotels. Most hotels require a card to cover any damages that may occur during your stay. Hotels used to require an upfront cash deposit that you got back at the end of your stay. I wonder if any of them still offer that option as opposed to credit cards?
Comment by Greg — July 8, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Comment for Greg:
Plastic IS a cost of doing business, absolutely. And YOU the consumer pay for it, as I and every other business have to charge this as a part of the end price YOU pay. So in essence you do care!
As to the check guarantee companies, they're "not much" in my opinion. Had that service years ago, took a check from a customer and it was 'approved'. Not only had the account been closed years prior, but the writer had a long history with the sheriff's dept. for writing bad checks. When I contacted the "guarantee" company to ask them to update their system, they had no desire to do so.
In defense of the banks, they're having to really hustle to stay ahead of the fraud curve that goes along with any form of plastic. Who's paying for that? You & me...
Comment by Steve — July 8, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
Comment for Steve:
Electricity is a cost of doing business. Who pays for that? The consumer. And know I don't care. If your business has to raise costs beyond reasonable to cover the convenience of doing business then I will shop somwhere else.
As for the check service, you might want to do some additional research and pick a better company. The service I used when I was running a retail establishment, reimbursed me for any bad check that was approved as long as we followed all of the guidelines. Those guidelines were pretty simple, form of ID, verify address, etc. The company also took ownership of the checks and pursued all legal action. I would look into it again if I were you unless of course you would have to raise your prices to accomodate the service.
Comment by Greg — July 9, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
There is nothing more annoying than standing in line at a grocery store while someone creaks open the checkbook and begins penning in..sixty-four dollars and ninety-five cents-------- or whatever. It's 2009 for pete's sake.
There's an alternative to credit cards. Get a debit card. The cash comes right out, you're not running up a debt.
Comment by Kristen — July 9, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
I use a debit card in stores and restaurants except for the few occasions where I use cash. Only use checks to pay bills. However, I don't begrudge a person who chooses to pay by writing a check. From the comments here, some merchants prefer it so they don't have to pay the fees incurred when plastic is used. Also, I think many of the comments posted also reflect the changes in our society. Some people are more impatient and can't wait the 30 - 45 seconds it may take someone to write their check. If you are one of these folks, next time you are in the grocery store and someone pulls out their moldy checkbook to pay for their purchases, just say to yourself, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today.....I'm doing alright".
Comment by Justafan — July 11, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
I only write checks when paying my utility bills & mortgage, and actually most of those are on automatic debit! I write about five checks a month, and never to any retail establishment. Like someone else said, that's what they make debit cards for, and that's what I always use. I've a credit card to use for hotel/airline reservations, and nothing else.
All that being said, I actually find it quaint to see someone writing a check in the grocery store, etc. these days. And yes, it is ALWAYS an older person, usually a grandma type patiently filling it out. When that happens, I take a deep breath, smile, and think - 'Good for her that she's still independent and so meticulous about her finances...' NOBODY's life is truly THAT hurried that they can't wait. Not really. It's just that they don't WANT to wait.
So, no, I don't write checks 'in public' anymore and I understand the policy of places that don't take them. I also understand the minority of people who continue to use them.
Remember folks, not everyone here has a cell phone or computer in their home, either. Also, I frequent some retail/food establishments in the smaller towns around SW Va that do not take anything but cash. Your attempted debit/credit card purchase of $4 will not work. You have to pay with 'real cash money'. How about that?!?
Comment by abdnva — July 12, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
Eric above touched on an aggravation of mine. Those companies that charge you an additional fee for paying your bill online, as though that is an inconvenience for them? Are they serious in stating that I have to pay $4.95 extra to pay my bill online, as opposed to waiting for a paper copy to show up, then mailing back a check to arrive at an indiscriminate date? They don't have an expense in processing the paper checks?
Those are the companies that I like to abandon if at all possible, because of their 'customer disservice'.
Comment by abdnva — July 12, 2009 @ 5:13 pm