what to do if run out of checks

Counter checks come up into play when you have a checking account, y'all need to write a bank check (or checks), and you don't take pre-printed checks available.

There are advantages and disadvantages to having and using these checks, as well as fees.

If yous need to utilise them at any betoken, y'all'll need to know all the details before yous do.

What are Counter Checks (or Temporary Checks)?

Counter checks are temporary checks that will be provided by your bank branch in these common situations:

• when you first open a checking account
• when you're out of preprinted checks and need a personal check urgently

Essentially, these are generic checks that enable you to access your account to pay 3rd parties.

If you've ever opened a new checking account, you probably know what counter checks are.

Since it unremarkably takes a couple of weeks to get a supply of customized checks delivered to y'all, the depository financial institution volition offer you lot a small supply of counter checks to brand payments until they arrive.

Counter checks are legally negotiable instruments.

But while they look like ordinary checks to the untrained eye, they have sure characteristics that make them unique.

For example, they'll have the basic format of any typical cheque. That volition include blank spaces for the following:

• Check date
• Payee name
• Numeric amount of the check
• Written check corporeality
• Memo
• Signature line

The bank will also typically have its routing number imprinted at the very bottom, left of the check, and will print your personal account number to the immediate right.

Both the routing number and personal account number will appear in a computerized course, easily recognizable and reckoner-readable by other banks.

You will fill in a counter check in the same the fashion that you will with a regular personal check, by completing each open up line on the document.

Pros

Counter checks actually have only one reward, and that's giving you use of checks earlier your regular supply arrives.

They'll be needed in situations where a bill or a merchant requires being paid by check and must be paid before your regular checks go far.

Cons

But the main disadvantage is much more meaning. Many merchants and institutions don't accept them.

Why?

Counter checks take a noticeably different look than regular checks. More to the point, they look temporary, because that's what they are. And that'south what causes problems.

For example, the preprinted information presented on the check is minimal. They're usually provided without your personal information – like your proper noun and accost – existence printed on the check. You can inquire your bank to print your name on the check, but it'll still accept a decidedly temporary look to information technology.

But perhaps most important, counter checks are not numbered. That can give the recipient the impression the account is either brand-new – and unproven – or even potentially fraudulent.

(This is as well why you should never begin a new check sequence with the number i. Instead, your first bank check should be numbered at 101, or some other number indicating the business relationship has been in existence for a long fourth dimension.)

Still another disadvantage is that some banks charge fees for counter checks.

Verify offset

As a warning:

Before writing or issuing a counter check, first verify with the payee to make sure it will exist accepted.

If you lot mail a check to pay a beak, and information technology's rejected by the recipient, you might be hit with late fees.

And if the payment is issued for a credit bill of fare or auto loan payment – or worse, a mortgage payment – the rejection and subsequent delay may result in a late payment appearing on your credit report.

Counter Check Fees at Top U.S. Banks

Most banks will charge you for a supply of regular, preprinted checks.

Some banks may provide the first (and limited) batch of checks free, then charge for subsequent orders.

And virtually all banks will charge extra for highly customized checks, such equally those with specialized backgrounds, lettering, or information.

Pricing policies for counter checks vary by banking concern.

Some banks will give you a very small number of counter checks, possibly three to 5, complimentary of charge.

Merely many banks will charge a fee, especially if yous need more than a very pocket-size supply. Fees typically run between $1 and $2 per check.

Counter Bank check Fees at Top U.Due south. Banks

Banking concern	Counter check fee
Bank of America	Not bachelor
Chase	$two per page of 3 checks
Wells Fargo	$3 per folio of 3 checks
Citibank	Not available
Upper-case letter One	Non available
U.S. Bank	$2 per check
PNC Banking company	$i.50 per check
TD Bank	Free (discipline to availability)
SunTrust Bank	Non bachelor
BB&T	$4 per 4 checks (minimum)
Fifth Third Bank	$1 per check

Don't order as well much

Be careful in estimating the number of counter checks you lot'll demand. If you lot guild likewise many, you lot'll pay for checks y'all'll never apply.

You'll also need to gene in the possibility that certain payees won't have them.

If you order 20 counter checks for a $1.l each, and you're but able to use 10 of them – because payees won't accept them – you'll spend $xxx paying for $xv worth of checks.

Alternatives to Counter Checks

We've already made the point that counter checks volition not be accepted past all payees.

You'll need to be prepared for that outcome, and ready to utilise culling payment methods.

If a payee won't take your counter cheque, exist prepare to have advantage of whatsoever of the following alternatives:

Certified check

A certified check is one in which the depository financial institution certifies the funds available to cover the amount the check is written for.

It provides an extra measure of assurance to the payee that the cheque won't bounce. If the payee requires a bank check, only won't have counter checks, they'll likely accept a certified cheque.

If the payee requires a check, but won't accept counter checks, they'll likely accept a certified check.

The major downside of certified checks is cost. For example, Bank of America charges $15 for a certified check.

Yous'll definitely want to limit the number of these checks you need event, specially for small-scale payments.

As well, be aware that you must get to the bank in person to have a certified check issued.

Cashier's check

A cashier's bank check is a check issued straight by the bank. Because it's issued past the bank, the funds are guaranteed.

The check includes all information necessary, including the name of the payee, likewise every bit all relevant financial data. Information technology's an official banking company check, and highly likely to be accepted by whatever payee.

Much like certified checks, cashier's checks as well come with a fee.

For example, Citi charges a fee of $8 per cashier'south check. And once once more, you lot will take to become to a depository financial institution branch to have a cashier's cheque prepared.

Money orders

Money orders are a common form of payment, well-nigh oft used by people who don't accept bank relationships.

Merely if you're in a situation where you only have counter checks, and a payee won't have them, money orders are an inexpensive culling.

Yous can get them at banks, credit unions, pharmacies, Walmart, and certain grocery and convenience stores.

They're typically available in denominations of up to $500 or $one,000. If the amount of your payment exceeds the threshold, you lot'll need issue multiple coin orders. In virtually cases, they'll be accepted just like checks.

To pay for a money order, you'll demand to use either cash, or a credit or debit menu.

A banking concern or credit matrimony will have funds directly from an account you have on deposit with them. But be aware that checks – especially counter checks – generally cannot be used to purchase coin orders.

This is because coin orders human action like certified checks, in that the funds are guaranteed by the issuer.

Fortunately, money orders are 1 of the less expensive alternatives – often even cheaper than counter checks.

For example, the U.S. Post Office is i of the well-nigh common sources of money orders. They charge a fee of just $1.25 for coin orders upwardly to $500, and a $1.70 for those up to $1,000.

However:

One limitation is that the post office does not accept credit cards in payment for coin orders, because of the fee they volition have to pay to the credit card issuer.

Apart from the U.S. Postal service Role, money orders tin be purchased at other outlets for fees ranging from $1 to $5 each (banks and credit unions tend to be at the college finish).

Be aware that a large payment will require multiple coin orders, raising the cost.

Online nib pay

If you lot open up a checking business relationship or take one already, it'll nearly certainly come with online banking. And most banks today offering online bill pay capability.

This is a unique payment method in which you enter the information relevant to a payment y'all need to make, very similar to completing a personal check.

Once y'all do, your bank volition issue a check to the payee. It tin can be either an electronic check, or a paper check that the depository financial institution will mail out.

In addition to speed and convenience, the big advantage with online pecker pay is that most banks offer it complimentary of charge.

This can be a perfect fashion to pay recipients who require payment past bank check, just who won't accept counter checks.

Final Thoughts

The reality is:

In this day and time of online banking and electronic payments, counter checks are non every bit of import every bit they used to exist.

But if you have recipients that require beingness paid by paper check, you lot'll demand to get at to the lowest degree a small-scale supply, either when y'all start open a new account, or if you run out of preprinted checks.

But keep that number to an accented minimum, and where recipients won't accept counter checks, be ready to use any of the alternatives described in this report.

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Source: https://www.mybanktracker.com/checking/faq/counter-check-fees-301667