Businesses Disfavoring Customer’s Use of Checkbooks, Check or Cash
Checkbooks, those checks where you get to write and sign the check as a mode of payment, used to be a trendy way of paying your bills. Businesses loved to accept checks, and when they personalized them at the bank for you, it was like the seal on your success. Today, getting a checkbook or writing a check out for money owe - are seen as a sign of anything but hipness. Many supermarket retailers like Fresh & Easy or Whole Foods for instance, won't even accept them anymore.
Whenever a certain customer puts out a checkbook and a pen at the checkout counter to pay the cashier, other customers just stare at him/her looking gloomy. Yet, nowadays where almost everything is done thru electronic payments, checks which takes precious time to collect seems already outdated. It is a mere fact that checks are obsolete means of payment as you go shopping. Most especially when you try to look for a certain wallet which holds check registers for your particular checkbook.
The checking account and the checkbook facility that it rests on are nearing its end. Banks are preparing to phase the check concept out in a few years. One thing is for sure; those checks will be gone along with the baby boomers. What reasons do retailers have the decline checks? First and foremost, they send up the costs of handling check fraud. And of course, they save money by not needing to add more checkout counters to ease rush hour when lots of customers are holding lines up with their check writing.
You wouldn't think that battered businesses would try something like this that could potentially annoy customers especially during a recession. On the part of these merchandisers, making unnecessary purchases for supporting checkbooks, checks and anything like it, is definitely an inviting solution. This certainly is catching on. Fashion retailers such as Banana Republic and the Gap are on trial runs to eliminate checks from their systems too.
Have you ever wondered at what age group does people who thinks that it is not necessary to write on checks belong? Studies showed that no one else but the elderly people are the ones who are fond of writing on checks. Anyone younger than that is obviously completely comfortable using credit cards, debit cards and cash. Only five years ago, checks were completely and firmly entrenched. It's down to 4% of the population now for the number of people who going to use them on a regular basis.
Gas stations, small restaurants, boutique shops, all of these, these days go with a little sign at the till that says "No checks please." Their reasons for unfavoring checks is because of the check’s tendency to bounce. Although, fraudulent purchases using a stolen debit card may still be charged on the debit card owner, these retail stores still get their money. One thing also is that, retail outlets are charged $3.50 for check encashment, while debit cards only cost you some pennies. And about the cost of transporting checks to the bank? Even using cash cost money these days. It's all part of the transition to cheaper more efficient methods. And it's something to be happy about.
On the other hand, you'll need checks to pay certain bills. Discount checks of 50% value from the original price are often offered online. One can use discount personal checks printed directly by manufacturers who print discount checks further lowering one's overhead. Choose from more checkstyles than any bank or financial institution has to offer by shopping on the internet. Order personal check styles ranging from simple plain checks, scenic mountains, seascapes, your favorite sport or hobby, patriotic, pets, your favorite baseball, football or sports team, college, autos, motorcycles, trucks, funny to fine art and just too many categories to list. Buy personal checks online and save 50% off bank account rate charges.