Asda to stop accepting Cheques

AMO

bernesemad wrote:

I was in our local Asda today when they announced over the tannoy that as from the 16th April they wont be accepting cheques as a payment method,they say they see this as ''a move forward''.

Just thought it may be of interest to some of you out there...

Yeah, most retailers are doing this. There are several reasons:
1) Paperless society (this is certainly not a concern of the banks though).
2) Fraud - since the move to Chip & PIN, banks feel signature-based systems are less secure and want the bulk of transactions to be by Chip & PIN.
3) Cheque Guarantee Card limits. As we move forward, the standard £50 cheque guarantee (or £100/£250) are no longer sufficient for people's needs. Yes, some people with high enough incomes can get the latter categories, but the banks don't want to introduce £60/£110/£275 guarantee cards etc.
4) Cost of cheque processing. Electronic funds transfers are relatively cheap in comparison to issuing and processing cheques.
5) Dealing with bounced cheque / stopped cheque issues. With a card, its either authorised immediately or not.

It's a good move forward.

AMO

lightisfading

I work in a shop and I wish we didn't take them. We have an incredibly high amount of cheque fraud these days, even with a cheque guarantee card (ie in the case of a person's handbag being stolen). The amount of people who try to use them way over the guarantee limit or knowing full well they don't have the money in the bank for another week is ridiculous. That and every cheque we take (apart from business cheques) has to be presented with a card anyway, so why not pay with that card in the first place :P

Domthemon

:mad:

seabiscuit wrote:

I know a lot of pensioners who can't / won't learn pin numbers (a lot of them don't believe they are safe) so still use cheques in every shop.

They have said that if the shops refuse cheques (which are still legal tender) then they will refuse to shop there again.

You will always get such people who cannot, or will not, move with the times. For those who CANNOT use a pin, there are systems in place to still sign I understand? Those who WILL NOT use a pin will find their choice of shopping limited in the next few months and years. Not safe?!?!? For goodness sakes, how safe is a signature that can be forged with a few minutes practise.

I don't suppose Asda etc are that bothered though really, ultimately the ones who will cut of their nose to spite their face probably buy a couple of pints of mile and a loaf of ''value'' bread plus a few packs of cheap biscuits and 6 for 5 value meals each week.

Your post made me smile though, I used to work as a bus driver, and every time the fares went up the old folk would say they weren't going to use the buses any more.... you would see them at the bus stop a few days later!!!:rotfl: They get free journeys now though.

Our Asda stopped accepting cheques last year. I remember standing in along queue last year whilst a youngish lady faffed about with a cheque and card. I remember saying to the assistant how I couldn't puzzle out how come as the same lady presented a chip and pin guarantee card. There are ways of writing down the pin number to disguise it (eg with a random series of numbers in front of it) but apart from those with recognised illnesses such as alzheimers etc I have no sympathy for those who say they ''can't remember'' a series of four numbers. Thickos. :mad:

Dom

wolfehouse

my local morrisons are not taking cheques anymore starting april 2nd.
seems like they will all do it.

(they claim cards are so much better but my chip stopped working- so what will i do for the 3 weeks it takes to get a new card next time?)

Inactive

I wonder if TK Maxx take cheques?

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Inactive

AMO wrote: »

You're an olde worlde type of person aren't you?

Cheques in retail stores should be banned. They slow the queue down whilst the person fumbles around for their cheque book, the guarantee card has to be checked. It's a pain all round.

AMO

Would that just maybe because the retailer doesn't ever employ enough till operators to prevent queues from forming in the first place?:rolleyes:

mjenn5

Well how about freedom of choice.

I will admit to having been very slow to start using the switch facility and this has nothing to do with not remembering pin numbers.

The reason why I have always liked using cheques is that it is very easy to write the amounts into the cheque stub and keep track of where your money is going. When I have used switch I have occasionally forgotten that amount and then my bank account has suffered.

I will obviously have to get a new system going so that I don't do that again.

As for checkouts being slowed down I have had more trouble with items not being on their computers, and I think it is more the case that staff are not trained on what to do with a cheque. They never used to be slow.

I agree we have to move with the times but I think to stop taking them altogether is not the way.

banana1975

I recently had to use my cheque book as there was a problem with the chip in my card - If this happens when the cheque book is no longer accepted then I would be stuck.

My friend always pays by cheque as her benefits are paid weekly and this eekes her money out a bit further - some people might find this really tough.

ukbill69

Why compaines dont accpet cheques is they can bounce, they take 5 days to clear and the banks charge to put there cheques in there bank. Plus credit/debit cards are used more than ever now and the banks merchant accounts offer them great rates, less accounting to.

nuttyrockeress

I use cheques a day or so before payday to get my shopping. My cheque has always been honoured and i admit to finding it a convenience. Yes i understand where some of you are coming from but am Annoyed