Cheques not to be scrapped

[redman41]

Thank goodness that someone has seen sense as they were due to be scrapped in 2018.
No one could come up with a suitable alternative. I use Cheques reguarly as do many others so I am well pleased.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14122129

[boxtops]

Well, this is interesting - we have an account with Nationwide, and they scrapped their cheque books on 30th June this year!

[4candles]

I'm with Nationwide, boxtops, and I've heard nothing about that. True, the cheque guarantee scheme was scrapped on 30 June, but that was across the whole banking sector.

Keeping cheques is a victory for common sense. I surmise that the banks have had such a bad press in recent times that they've decided not to upset us any more.

[Old_Geezer]

We can but hope they really mean it. I consider cheques to be fundamental to the banking service. Without the facility the bank is failing to provide the required service.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah yes, as you point out, the cheque guarantee thing is gone. Cynical move to try to get the use of cheques to fall through the floor, whilst customers struggle with other inappropriate work-arounds when their cheque isn't accepted.

[boxtops]

4c, perhaps I got it wrong then - we so rarely use a cheque these days, now we have on-line banking!

[dzug2]

Perhaps they will start charging an economic fee - I suspect it would have to be at least £1 a cheque, possibly both in and out

Every silver lining has a cloud.....

[buildersmate]

Quite so. And it is most important that those who wish to continue to use the service are charged the full economic cost of providing it. Should focus minds a bit, even from a prostrate position where head is below the horizontal level of feet and in silica.

[hc4361]

Why does anyone need a cheque these days?
I know how much my window cleaner charges and make sure the cash is put aside.
I haven't used a cheque for years.

[Old_Geezer]

As seems to be the case these days costs that should be seen as fixed business costs being suggested as being born by certain customers only. The bank has your money to use as investment already, they ought not need to charge for the service they should be providing on top. Another example of society and cimmunity being deteriorated as one tries to get one up on another.

[evil__sheep]

hiya, i use a couple of cheques a week
i pay my cleaner by cheque
i pay my milkman by cheque (not for much longer though!)
i send cheques as birthday presents

[JonnyBoy12]

Glad to hear that, I was sorry to hear that they were to scrap cheques. I do not see how we can do without them. It is all very well having chip and pin, but this does not bode well in the post, does it?

Can any of you other readers second this ground breaking piece of news?

[R1Geezer]

There is no need for cheques at all. When I get given a cheque it's just a pain in the proverbial, I can't remember actually writing one for years. I cannnot understand the apparent affection that still remains for this archaic system, thank allah that the supermarkets are mostly not takling them let's hope all retailers follow suit. You on the electric yet redman!?

[R1Geezer]

i pay my cleaner by cheque - why saddle them with all the hassle, just give cash
i pay my milkman by cheque (not for much longer though!) - ditto
i send cheques as birthday presents - ditto and what a lovely surprise that must be, just bung some cash in the envelope!

[Old_Geezer]

Second it ? It was on teletext this morning.
I suspect it is window dressing though.

Commerce seems to want to force folk to trust the virtual figures on the computer rather than being able to hold something to show what money has been transferred where.

[ChuckFickens]

But all a cheque does is instruct somebody to change those figures on a computer. it's of no value at all without virtual figures on a computer.

Unless you think banks shift piles of notes about to and from little boxes when ever a cheque is cashed?

[Berkshirelad]

The issue is that ever since stamp duty ceased to be a requirement on a cheque (anybody remember the 2d seal?) then it is simply a written instruction to the your bank to pay. You don't have to use a bank cheque - a piece of A4 is just as legal provided all the necessary details are on it.

Thus withdrawing chequebooks cannot and will not stop the use of cheques. Alll the banks can do is cease central clearing and go back to the origianl system of trhe cheque ebing sent to the account holders bank & branch for re-imbursemrnt. It will take longer than 3 days to clear and may well attract a cost.

[Barmaid]

It's a pain the rear. Most places I go do not accept cheques these days, but almost everyone pays me by cheque! That means a trip to the bank for me when it would be so much easier to pay by BACs.

[Old_Geezer]

I think the counterfoil is hard to argue against. It gives peace of mind and something to back up the fact that you paid. Add that to the stamp on your bill when you pay it at the bank, and you're set. None of this, "our computer says no", nonsense.

[notasyoungasiwas]

I'm so happy to hear that - thanks for posting it. I use cheques to pay all my bills and to send donations to charity, it's my preferred method of payment and I know other people who will be glad too. Hooray !!!!!

[redman41]

By having Cheques it gives people more choice, those that do not like it can pay by other methods, very simple really.