How long should I wait to cancel a cheque?

peter021072

I've sent a cheque in the post along with a Birthday card to my Brother a week ago, and it still hasn't arrived (second class post).  This is from Berkshire to Lancashire.  At what point should I report it to the bank, and should I attempt to cancel the cheque?  I recall the same happened about 20 years ago.  His area is probably a higher than average crime area so it's conceivable the post has got stolen.

I've also had a look at the Lost & damaged section on the post office site. Most of it is directed towards compensation. It's not for a large amount, but my main concern is that the cheque isn't doctored.

Edi81

I’d give it another week. Second class post is very slow these days. Did you post in a priority post box? I made the mistake of using a regular one to send a card and it took far longer than normal and that was first class. 

peter021072

No, but typically 2nd class post will arrive within 2 working days, 3 at most, from the post box I used. So it should have been there on Friday latest.  I've just had a call from my Brother and nothing has arrived today.

born_again

Cancel the cheque now. Tell your brother not to cash it if it turns up & send him the cash via a faster payment.

peter021072

born_again said:

Cancel the cheque now. Tell your brother not to cash it if it turns up & send him the cash via a faster payment.

Actually I did just this, then an hour later he tells me he's received it!

Santander didn't charge for stopping the cheque anyway.

MACKEM99

I posted a letter with a card inside in a priority box on a Sunday, 1st class stamp, it only had a short distance to travel and was correctly addressed, including post code, it did not arrive till friday!