Never used a Cheque book before.

Bob2000

Hello.
I've recently  opened a few regular savers  accounts.But have noticed a few, especially  from smaller buildings societies, are post application only with cheque attached.
I'm thinking about ordering  a cheque book for maybe future use but lm not sure if there are any particular  banks that are better than others or are they all about the same in ease of use.
I've never used one, so is there any real difference  between cheques  other than design/brand?

I know l have to have a current account to order one.

Thanks.

eskbanker

I can't think of any differentiating factor between cheques from different banks, but some banks won't even issue them at all!

Flugelhorn

I can't remember when I last wrote a cheque - probably as an executor in 2018 - they all look much the same.  

elsien

Out of interest, which building societies are cheque only because it’s not something I’ve come across recently at all. 

Flugelhorn

elsien said:

Out of interest, which building societies are cheque only because it’s not something I’ve come across recently at all. 

I was thinking the same - banks / building socs don't seem to like cheques these days

flaneurs_lobster

By design (they are designed to be machine readable) cheques are pretty much the same size and layout regardless of issuer.

Back last century(!) NatWest had a long line of pictorial cheques (wildlife, landmark buildings etc) but I don't think anyone does this anymore.

elsien

If it’s a one off, some banks may still offer counter cheques Which is them doing the cheque for you as opposed to you having a cheque book. 

Section62

eskbanker said:

I can't think of any differentiating factor between cheques from different banks, but some banks won't even issue them at all!

Only thing I can think of is for some people a left-handed cheque book can be useful, and I'm not sure all banks do those.

flaneurs_lobster

elsien said:

If it’s a one enough, some banks may still offer counter cheques Which is them doing the cheque for you as opposed to you having a cheque book. 

Does a counter cheque quote your name, account number etc? Some BS use the cheque details as part of ID checking and Nominated Account validation.

Section62

elsien said:

Out of interest, which building societies are cheque only because it’s not something I’ve come across recently at all. 

Wasn't the recent Scottish BS regular saver cheque only for postal applications?

elsien

flaneurs_lobster said:

elsien said:

If it’s a one enough, some banks may still offer counter cheques Which is them doing the cheque for you as opposed to you having a cheque book. 

Does a counter cheque quote your name, account number etc? Some BS use the cheque details as part of ID checking and Nominated Account validation.

no idea, it’s a long time since I’ve needed one.