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Charges for electronic money transfer

Just completed a remortgage and there is a surplus of around £400 to be paid to me by my conveyancer. Originally they asked for bank details of where any surplus should be sent but they have posted a cheque. I contacted them to say I would prefer it to be transferred and was told there would be a charge of £35. Therefore any payment of less that £500 they send out a cheque. I therefore said ok fine leave things as they are and I will bank the cheque when it arrives.

My question is this. Surely it is easier and cheaper for them to just do an electronic bank transfer rather than having to issue a cheque. So why the £35 charge. It's also less convenient for the client (me) as they have to make a trip to the bank to deposit a cheque. All seems a bit old fashioned when Internet banking these days is so much more convenient. Am I missing something here?

Comments

  • libf
    libf Posts: 1,008 Forumite
    edited 5 November 2015 at 7:51AM
    Sounds like they would send it via CHAPS, for which the banks make a charge. You could try asking for it by BACS instead.
  • swindiff
    swindiff Posts: 978 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper Newshound!
    It's sent now and I'm not really bothered about, it just curious. Sending out cheques these days just seems so inifficient at both ends.
  • As libf says - and further proof the world has gone mad !
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • minimike2
    minimike2 Posts: 2,210 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It is standard that all such transactions are done via the CHAPS system and as such a charge is made for this.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,909 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    minimike2 wrote: »
    It is standard that all such transactions are done via the CHAPS system and as such a charge is made for this.


    Then it is time for the procedure to be brought into the 21st century.
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • libf
    libf Posts: 1,008 Forumite
    I had the option of about 5 different payment methods, should the solicitors handling my purchase need to transfer money to me, each with a different timescale and cost. And I could send my deposit via faster payments, as long as I stuck to my own banks limits which meant sending it in two amounts. The only CHAPS payment required is on completion for the balance of funds to the vendor.
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    swindiff wrote: »
    It's sent now and I'm not really bothered about, it just curious. Sending out cheques these days just seems so inifficient at both ends.

    Probably easier for paperwork to be passed around the office. Than get the required signatories together to process an electronic payment.
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