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LanewayRat t1_jdhd2q5 wrote

This is nuts. Why are so many Americans using checks? Even young Americans! In Australia we are about to kill them off because only about 0.1% of transactions are done using checks. In New Zealand they have got rid of them.

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pulchritudinouser t1_jdiqddn wrote

My bank literally requires that I pay my mortgage by check or IN PERSON at the bank šŸ˜­

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hache-moncour t1_jdheenn wrote

Same here in the Netherlands, checks were barely used in the 1990s already and completely abolished in 2002. It's a peculiar US thing.

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41942319 t1_jdhfz2n wrote

And since 2021 you can no longer cash checks at Dutch banks. Which in winter 2021 led to a bunch of post in Dutch subs from American immigrants asking "where can I cash my Covid stimulus check". Well, you can't. Not here anyway.

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Crazy-Inspection-778 t1_jdj1xmf wrote

We aren't really. I used them in college to pay my mom&pop landlord rent (2015ish), but that's it. Most people use venmo or other apps. I don't know any young person that writes checks unless it's to an old person or archaic business that can't figure out online payments

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redditseddit4u t1_jdkrxsw wrote

If you own property thereā€™s a good chance your local tax assessor requires a check for property tax payments (unless you pay exorbitant fees for credit card processing). Many government organizations require check payments. I suspect the the higher check usage is more caused by income and not age - higher your income/assets the more likely youā€™re dealing with the government. Higher your income/assets the more likely youā€™re older.

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vermiliondragon t1_jdj4feq wrote

My kids' scout program used to use Paypal for payments but they cracked down on the free friends and family option and now prefer checks to avoid the service fees on collecting money.

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EqualityZucchini t1_jdk2ytp wrote

Some companies charge you for online transactions. Fuck them, I send a check. <3

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charredutensil t1_jdk7cwy wrote

90's kid here. I once used an auto-pay system where the $5 charge for "convenience" went through, but the actual payment didn't. It didn't even attempt to notify me about the failed payment, and I had more than enough money in the account. Bank didn't even have a record of the payment being attempted. I got hit with $300 in late fees.

Since then, I pull out an honest to God typewriter and type up a check. I cackle with glee at every key I push with full force, knowing full well a human being has to be paid to physically open the envelope, read the paper, and retype the information into a computer. Plus, I get to support the Post Office.

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LanewayRat t1_jdlsm6g wrote

In Australia the consumer laws donā€™t allow banks to charge fees that donā€™t reflect costs. Online transactions are cheaper than checks to process so the fees are cheaper. Full stop.

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double_shadow t1_jdjldnd wrote

You basically have to in some circumstances. Luckily, my town's water department FINALLY switched to online billing, so now I never have to anymore unless some luddite won't take venmo payment for something (ie my parents).

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LanewayRat t1_jdlse03 wrote

> you basically have to

Iā€™m not talking about ā€œyouā€. Iā€™m talking about the whole country not moving on. You (the country) are very conservative in many ways.

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