Why Paper Checks are Not a Thing of the Past

If you’re one of those people who inwardly groans when the customer in line ahead of you at the grocery whips out a checkbook, you might want to rethink your attitude. Yes, debit and credit cards are the most used forms of payment in this digital age, but checks aren’t only for grandmas and other people who have a hard time accepting new technology.

There are many reasons why paper checks have not simply faded from existence. In fact, there are several instances where consumers might find that their plastic is useless but a particular merchant will happily accept a check. There are also quite a few situations when using a card will result in added fees. Use a check and those costs are avoided.

If you’ve relinquished your checkbook to a dusty drawer, read on to learn more about all of the ways that checks are becoming cool again.

Disaster Relief

Many people might not have ever considered the things that they might do during a disaster, but it‘s high time that they did. If you’re in a situation when there is a widespread power outage that lasts for several days, how will you pay for things? ATMs will be useless and the credit card machine at the grocery store doesn’t usually have a battery pack.

Checks to the rescue! You’ll be able to purchase food and emergency supplies for your family while others might be literally left in the dark.

Avoid Those Pesky Fees

Many companies charge a fee to pay by credit or debit card and this is especially true of utility companies. They often use a third party payment system, and those costs have to be paid somehow; it’s usually you, the consumer, who covers those costs in the form of added fees. Avoid this by simply mailing a check.

Credit card companies charge businesses to use their services and there are many retailers and merchants who either can’t afford to pay that or simply don’t want to. You can walk in with your credit card but you won’t be walking out with a purchase if you don’t also have a checkbook.

Pay the Rent and Make Someone’s Day

If you live in a large apartment complex owned and run by a multinational corporation it’s quite likely that you can pay your rent online using your debit card. However, if you rent a home or apartment from an individual, it’s not very likely that they have a credit card machine in their pocket.

Additionally, if you like giving gifts of cash to friends and family it’s just so easy to drop a check in the mail. This is far and away superior to offering a gift card. Many of those cards are restricted to a particular merchant or fees are deducted for each use. By sending a check you’re allowing your loved ones to spend the money how and where they like.

Express Yourself

Credit cards are nice but they rarely have any uniqueness or personality to them. This is absolutely not the case with checks. While your bank may issue you a standard book of checks in something neutral like blue or gray, you can order specialty checks in every imaginable color and design, some of them quite spectacular and fun.

You can even choose to order different checks for the various seasons or holidays, or place an order for checks that feature photos of your favorite animals or landscapes. It’s even possible to upload your own personal photos and have them adorn your custom checks! Credit card companies tried to do this previously but it really never caught on.  After all, no one ever really sees your card but you, but your checks are seen by many people. Show them off!

It’s true that many people might think that checks are a thing of the past, but they’re obviously very, very wrong. Checks are just as useful as they ever were, and if you’ve been eschewing them in favor of your debit card you might want to reconsider. Those handy pieces of paper can save you money and they have the power of purchase in situations that leave credit cards out in the cold.

Isn’t it time that you brought your checkbook out of retirement?