Help - wages problem !!

Twenty24

First off, sorry if this has been asked a million times before, I searched but couldn't find the answer I needed.

Here goes...

Having just started a DMP with Payplan they have told me to open a new bank account (basic one) which I have done with the Co op (approved by phone last Thursday night).

I have spoken to my employers and asked them not to pay my wages into my old bank account and they have agreed to pay me by cheque.

So far so good.

However, the earliest I will get the cheque is tomorrow and I have not yet received the details of the bank account (much less the electron card that I should be getting with and respective PIN).

Assuming that I get the cheque tomorrow, and the bank details when I get home tomorrow night, it would mean that the earliest I can pay the cheque in is Wednesday and it will take 5 days to clear. This means I will have no money over the weekend.

If my card and PIN have arrived, does anyone know if I can use it in a shop to make payments against uncleared funds (I could not stand the shame of standing at the checkout in Asda and being sent away with no shopping). I am taking it for granted that I will not be able to withdraw from an ATM against uncleared funds.

Alternatively, is it likely that the RBOS (who my employer banks with) will cash the cheque in the branch nearest to where I work ?

or, plan C

can anyone recommend which of the cheque cashing firms is best/cheapest ? This is the least desirable as I know that they will take a % of the total value of the cheque which will be a little over £900 (this is assuming that any of them will cash a cheque for that amount).

I do have another cheque for £10 from that has just been sent to me so if the worst happens I could just cash that one to see me over - that one is from HMPG - do all/any of the banks cash those without charge ?

Any help/advice appreciated and sorry once again if this gets asked once a month !

jonesMUFCforever

No.
The whole point of the basic account is that you cannot spend what you have not got.
Until the cheque clears it is not yours.
Is there anyway that your employer can let you cash the cheque at their bank as a one off?

Twenty24

That is what I thought would be the case.

I may be able to cash the cheque at the branch near of RBOS work as we have an arrangement with them for our petty cash anyway (although those cheques are made out to cash not to me - sadly).