A replacement for cheques?

usedandabused

glider3560 wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me using your post as an example of the other payment methods we already have:They could start taking credit/debit card payments or you could pay them by bank transfer.

I assume it is the same amount each month, so a standing order would be easier here.

Bank transfer? Even if you don't bank online or by phone, this can be arranged at your branch counter.

Bank transfer again?

Pay at the bank counter, at a Post Office or at a PayPoint outlet.

I think that people will need to get used to the sender doing the work (i.e. making the payment, e.g. by going online or to a branch), rather than the current system where the recipient does the work (i.e. cashing the cheque). People don't seem to like change in this country.

no i feel honoured I was quoted :cool:

Seriously though i'm struggling with all this online lark as it, like my RBS key Account, gives me nightmares, and your recommendations are good for someone my age, in my 40's, but my aunt, well into her 60's, how will she manage?
She pays by cheque for everything nearly, bar her shop at waitrose/Sainsburys etc

Even our local newsagent/offlicence, she runs up a tab, and then clears it end of the month with cheque, she pays her water, gas/electric, phone etc all my cheque, sends the grand kids cheques as opposed to cash in their birthday cards.

Also for my everyday situations you can recommend some brilliant alternatives BUT

'' actually heard another item on the radio concerning this subject (I think it was 'Moneybox' on Radio 4). The presenter was discussing the end of cheques with a representative of the banking industry. He asked her what provision there would be for a tradesman at, say, a country fair some distance from an ATM and out of the reception area for a 'chip and PIN' machine. How could he accept payment for some expensive agricultural machinery? The banking representative wasn't able to answer this question satisfactorily.''


can anyone give a good alternative to this situation?

rb10

spenderdave wrote: »

This issue is going to roll on and on.... One area constantly omitted from the discussions is churches and other organisations where two signatures are required on all payments - and this is a requirement of the charities commission so cannot easily be changed. OK, in due course these organisations may develop a viable alternative but for the moment cheques are the only way for most payments. Also because of this requirement although our church has internet banking access it is only for viewing and payments cannot be made this way (the bank has set it up to prevent payments).

You should try CAF Bank or Unity Trust (both of these last two are banks specifically for charitable organisations).

Both of these come with internet banking where multiple signatories must authorise each payment, e.g. one user sets up the payment, and then someone else must approve it before it leaves the account. (You can choose how many people must authorise each payment).

That's not so much a problem with the banking system, more a problem with how your church's treasurer chooses to run their system.

lordash

I don't know why so many people on here want to see the end of the cheque. I fail to see any benefit to the end consumer (unless, of course, they just happen to own a bank).

If you don't like writing cheques, then don't write them. Nobody's forcing you.

As for myself, I prefer not to have to go through the tedious steps necessary to set up a one-off payment using online banking, when I can just write a cheque in a matter of seconds.

Of course, if they do get rid of the cheque, the banks can then sack all of their clearing house staff (and close a few branches for good measure) and then stick a few extra million onto their directors' bonuses. Which is the real reason why they're pushing the whole 'the cheque is dying out -- lets scrap it' idea on us.

PBA

lordash wrote: »

As for myself, I prefer not to have to go through the tedious steps necessary to set up a one-off payment using online banking, when I can just write a cheque in a matter of seconds.

The advantage of the online payment is that, once you've made it, it's done. Nobody has to then go to the bank, no issue of the cheque being lost. It may be quicker to write a cheque (though it does take more than just seconds) but the real advantage is that the payment gets to the beneficiary much more quickly and reliably.

hansi

I am a volunteer for a well known national charity, and each month receive large amounts of cheques from people who make donations in lieu of flowers for deceased relatives and friends. Most of these donations come from elderly people who don't use internet banking and therefore cheques are their only way of donating. What are they going to do if cheques are discontinued?

spenderdave

And I guess you could include the basket on the way out at funerals for people to donate to the relevant charity for the deceased. Is this going to be replaced with a debit card machine, I think not...

fooboo

I've seen plenty of businesses at showgrounds and other temporary locations using the old fashioned paper debit/credit card "machines". Yes they take longer to process, have more errors then chip and pin, but as I see it thats the viable alternative that Sandra Quinn should have suggested.

Also there are mobile chip and pin machines that work offline so don't need to be in an area with mobile signal. The terminal uploads its transactions when the merchant takes it back home and plugs it in.

glider3560

Shock horror! Just ordered from the Chinese takeaway I mentioned in my earlier posts and been told they have now stopped accepting cheques as they've had too many bounce. They now take credit/debit cards in person for collection or payment over the phone for delivery. Looks like my chequebook will be finding its way into my antique collection!

Extant

According to the MSE forums, the world will indeed end in 2012 - not due to some sort of Mayan calendar nonsense, but due to the closing of cheque clearings.

newleaf

My hairdresser only takes cheques - she rents a chair in a large salon where all the stylists are self employed and there are no facilities for storing cash.