100 checks for $35

[easysurfer]

I just reordered checks for my checking account through my bank. It came out to $35 for 100 checks. Ouch

[Bestwifeever]

Are they magic checks? Mine cost a lot less at checksinthemail.

[easysurfer]

Nothing magical or special about them. Just basic checks.

I think the expense was because of the reording through my bank's website. The price of convenience.

[Lakedog]

35 cents a check - wow! My credit union and brokerage accounts provide free checks. Back when I did pay for them, I never paid over $10 for 200 checks. Looks like your bank has figured out another way to make $$.

[aaronc879]

It costs me $13 for the same amount at my CU.

[Bestwifeever]

I just wondered if they were triple carbon computer business checks or something--didn't mean to be too flip . That sounds pretty expensive to me.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I just reordered checks for my checking account through my bank. It came out to $35 for 100 checks. Ouch

My checks were free. I had to order the freebie ones, and that took a little searching on the bank website to figure it out. They are basic, but good enough!

Audrey

[Fireup2020]

YOWCH! Amen to free checks from USAA!

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestwifeever I just wondered if they were triple carbon computer business checks or something--didn't mean to be too flip . That sounds pretty expensive to me.

Bestwife,

I didn't take your statement to be flip at all.

I got the bare minimum (no duplicate, no extra designs or anything). I'll have to bookmark the checksinthemail that you mentioned for next time.

At $35 for 100 checks, now the parking ticket I got a few weeks ago for $30 doesn't seem so much after all

Easysurfer

[REWahoo]

easysurfer, if you ordered checks through your bank you paid the huge markup many banks tack on check orders if you don't have one of their "free checks" accounts. I spent 27 years in the check printing business as a supplier to banks and credit unions (Checks In The Mail was our direct-to-consumer subsidiary). It was common to see a bank mark up the price 5-600%, but it looks like your bank mark up was closer to 1,000%. Ouch!

[easysurfer]

I have a totally free checking account (no minimum balance), so I guess as they say, no such thing as a free lunch.

It's checksinthemail for me the next time I need to redorder.

[freebird5825]

Call, ask directly for branch manager and complain. Maybe they will give you an "after the fact" price break if you mention a competitor's name.
Nothing ventured...la la laaaaaaa

[Nodak]

Checks from my bank are $26 for 300. I don't understand the huge difference except that we don't seem to have any large national chain banks around here. My bank is still operating under their territorial charter from before 1889. They have no branches and fewer than 10 employees. It may be North Dakota banking laws, which I have heard are rather strict, that keeps the big banks out. North Dakota even has a state owned bank.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 Call, ask directly for branch manager and complain. Maybe they will give you an "after the fact" price break if you mention a competitor's name. Nothing ventured...la la laaaaaaa

Hmmm..never thought about that. Good idea

But I'll probably just pay the markup this time since I was full aware of the price when I clicked on the submit button. Chalk that up to a lesson learned to be in a bit of a rush to buy.

Makes me think..at what cost does one wish to pay for convienence for goods and services. Such as overnight shipping. Or marked up bottled water at events.

[ziggy29]

That's gouging unless these are gold plated checks or something like that.

I have three checking accounts -- one with my CU, one with USAA and a third linked to my Schwab account. I haven't paid a dime for checks in over a decade, I think.

[ziggy29]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I think the expense was because of the reording through my bank's website. The price of convenience.

That would be pretty silly if this is the case. Ordering them online is generally the cheapest way to conduct a transaction, with the lowest overhead costs for the vendor. Why do you think all the lowest brokerage commissions are specifically for online trades?

[smjsl]

I never pay for checks. If a bank I am interested in does not have free checks, I ACH to and from them; or just get cash at the counter... There are plenty of banks / CUs with free checks.

[mickeyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smjsl I never pay for checks. If a bank I am interested in does not have free checks, I ACH to and from them; or just get cash at the counter... There are plenty of banks / CUs with free checks.

I agree. I bank with USAA and they furnish free checks and deposit tix, but I seldom write out a check as I am almost exclusively a ACH man.

BTW, my stash of checks is so old that the date section has 19__!

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeyd BTW, my stash of checks is so old that the date section has 19__!

You've got some classics! Those were phased out around 1990, replaced with "Date________".

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo easysurfer, if you ordered checks through your bank you paid the huge markup many banks tack on check orders if you don't have one of their "free checks" accounts. I spent 27 years in the check printing business as a supplier to banks and credit unions (Checks In The Mail was our direct-to-consumer subsidiary). It was common to see a bank mark up the price 5-600%, but it looks like your bank mark up was closer to 1,000%. Ouch!

Now we find out! It's all your fault!

Audrey