handwritten cheques—an archaic system for transferring money that I want to underscore I believe is nevertheless perfectly ordinary and fine—and will no doubt be with us until money itself is somehow abolished.
Well, in the US. As a consumer in Europe (at least the countries I’ve lived in), getting a cheque book from your bank is in most cases impossible, and I’d say that’s probably for the better.
In Canada the banks look at you funny but will issue chequebooks if you ask. (Source: am an American immigrant to Canada, refuse to sign up for our apartment management company’s auto-rent-payment thingy. Rent is the only thing we use them for.)
Huh. To be honest, I wouldn’t know what to use it for. Most shops here don’t accept them, and if someone paid me with one, I’d probably have to contact my bank, since they don’t have any automated facilities for cashing them.
They just seem like an artifact from a bygone era.
how do yall usually handle down payments, like on cars and houses and such? those are the only times I’d really expect to use a check in my part of the US
this side of the world? typical cases: direct funds transfers, or sometimes direct debit (depending on the purchase financing structure and provider). and it’s pretty much a smooth transaction, optionally having to contact your bank of choice to request a temporary/once-off limit adjustment (fairly typical to have transaction value caps in place here for personal accounts)
my friend in Canada was trying to send me money and we ended up using a check. also my landlord from two apartments ago refused to take rent any other way. she was very old
cheques are definitely still a thing in canada (companies still use them for one-off payments and landlords still use them to collect rent) and you can now deposit them by taking a picture with your phone.
My university sends me checks occasionally, like when they overcharged the premium on my dental insurance. No idea why they can’t just do an electronic transfer like for my stipend.
Well, in the US. As a consumer in Europe (at least the countries I’ve lived in), getting a cheque book from your bank is in most cases impossible, and I’d say that’s probably for the better.
Still, fun article.
Surprised to see Natwest will still send you a chequebook, though it takes a phone call.
In Canada the banks look at you funny but will issue chequebooks if you ask. (Source: am an American immigrant to Canada, refuse to sign up for our apartment management company’s auto-rent-payment thingy. Rent is the only thing we use them for.)
Huh. To be honest, I wouldn’t know what to use it for. Most shops here don’t accept them, and if someone paid me with one, I’d probably have to contact my bank, since they don’t have any automated facilities for cashing them.
They just seem like an artifact from a bygone era.
i know right? who the fuck even takes a cheque now?
how do yall usually handle down payments, like on cars and houses and such? those are the only times I’d really expect to use a check in my part of the US
this side of the world? typical cases: direct funds transfers, or sometimes direct debit (depending on the purchase financing structure and provider). and it’s pretty much a smooth transaction, optionally having to contact your bank of choice to request a temporary/once-off limit adjustment (fairly typical to have transaction value caps in place here for personal accounts)
my friend in Canada was trying to send me money and we ended up using a check. also my landlord from two apartments ago refused to take rent any other way. she was very old
cheques are definitely still a thing in canada (companies still use them for one-off payments and landlords still use them to collect rent) and you can now deposit them by taking a picture with your phone.
you can do that in the uk too (because nobody can be bothered otherwise and the volume is so low)
My university sends me checks occasionally, like when they overcharged the premium on my dental insurance. No idea why they can’t just do an electronic transfer like for my stipend.