Neil Williams wrote:
On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 04:57:35 -0700, Kev wrote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6272606.stm

"London Underground said that fare dodgers will still be able to use
cheques to pay their fares, and fines, to ticket inspectors".
So only a fare dodger can pay by cheque. If I happen to lose my
ticket or I am mugged will I have to find some other means of payment
or would I become a fare dodger.

Not uncommon these days. I reckon it's time the banks took action to
abolish cheques completely. BACS and other electronic payment systems
are far superior.

Completely agree, however there are many out there (especially the older
generation) who don't use telephone or internet banking.

Smaller businesses (a good example being B&B's) will only take cash or
cheque payments as (they say) it's uneconomic for them to be set up for
card payments.

--
Phil Richards, London, UK
3,600+ railway photos since 1980 at:
http://europeanrail.fotopic.net
http://britishrail.fotopic.net

Phil Richards wrote:

Completely agree, however there are many out there (especially the
older generation) who don't use telephone or internet banking.

That's the biggest problem. My parents are in their 80s and I still can't
even get them to use cashpoints. My father still insists on driving to the
bank every week and drawing money out over the counter, in spite of the fact
that he now has a PC and is (slowly) learning how to use it.

It drives me mad (and wastes my time!) when they insist on giving me cheques
in payment for things or as presents.

On 9 Jul, 21:51, "Jack Taylor" wrote:
Phil Richards wrote:

Completely agree, however there are many out there (especially the
older generation) who don't use telephone or internet banking.

That's the biggest problem. My parents are in their 80s and I still can't
even get them to use cashpoints. My father still insists on driving to the
bank every week and drawing money out over the counter, in spite of the fact
that he now has a PC and is (slowly) learning how to use it.

It drives me mad (and wastes my time!) when they insist on giving me cheques
in payment for things or as presents.

Would any of you technophiles like to suggest an alternative to the
cheque for parents paying for school trips, scout group etc
subscriptions, and all the other things that go with having a family?
Too much for cash, none of the organisations concerned are set up for
cards- that's the real world..

Stuart J

StuartJ wrote:

Would any of you technophiles like to suggest an alternative to the
cheque for parents paying for school trips, scout group etc
subscriptions, and all the other things that go with having a family?
Too much for cash, none of the organisations concerned are set up for
cards- that's the real world..

I demand that they give me their banking details (sort code and account
number) and set up a one-off direct credit on my Internet banking, with an
appropriate reference (membership number or name). I've done that for all of
the annual subscriptions that I have, with only one exception, that was
still issuing two-part carbonated subscription reminders, even in 2002!
After a second request that they provide a direct credit option for renewal
(it only requires the provision of sort code and account number and of a box
to tick on the renewal slip) and no response, a year after my first request,
I cancelled my membership. The others have actually commented that they are
happy with a direct credit payment as it saves them the hassle of banking
cheques.

On Jul 9, 11:45 pm, "Jack Taylor" wrote:
StuartJ wrote:

I demand that they give me their banking details (sort code and account
number)

You sound a friendly sort of chap to do business with.
Stuart J makes a valid point though, I am forever paying for school
dinners, music lessons, this trip, that trip and as I see it cash or
cheque is really the only way to do it.

Kevin

In message , Jack Taylor
writes

I demand that they give me their banking details (sort code and account
number) and set up a one-off direct credit on my Internet banking, with an
appropriate reference (membership number or name). I've done that for all of
the annual subscriptions that I have, with only one exception, that was
still issuing two-part carbonated subscription reminders, even in 2002!
After a second request that they provide a direct credit option for renewal
(it only requires the provision of sort code and account number and of a box
to tick on the renewal slip) and no response, a year after my first request,
I cancelled my membership. The others have actually commented that they are
happy with a direct credit payment as it saves them the hassle of banking
cheques.

Unfortunately that wouldn't work with our (voluntary) organisation. Our
treasurer lives in North Wales and I (the membership secretary) live in
East London. I have no access to our group's bank accounts and our
treasurer would constantly be sending me details of random payments
received that may or may not be anything to do with my role.

We continue to prefer cheque payments for the time being. If you want
to be a member, that's the way it's done.
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)

Steve Fitzgerald wrote:

Unfortunately that wouldn't work with our (voluntary) organisation. Our
treasurer lives in North Wales and I (the membership secretary)
live in East London. I have no access to our group's bank accounts
and our treasurer would constantly be sending me details of random
payments received that may or may not be anything to do with my role.

That's similar to the various preserved railways that I am a member of. The
treasurers receive membership fees by direct credit, with the membership
number quoted as the payment reference. The membership secretaries receive
the renewal forms, with the direct credit option ticked. The treasurers (I
presume) periodically confirm the latest batch of payments that have been
received by e-mail to the membership secretary. It's hardly rocket science
and it's far more secure for both parties.

We continue to prefer cheque payments for the time being. If you want
to be a member, that's the way it's done.

I'm afraid that, if that is the attitude, then I wouldn't be bothered about
being a member. I've already discontinued my membership of one preserved
railway that I had been a member of for over twenty years, due to their
inability to embrace modern technology (ironic as they are one of the bigger
railways, whilst the smaller ones that I am a member of can function
efficiently).

In message , Jack Taylor
writes

That's similar to the various preserved railways that I am a member of. The
treasurers receive membership fees by direct credit, with the membership
number quoted as the payment reference. The membership secretaries receive
the renewal forms, with the direct credit option ticked. The treasurers (I
presume) periodically confirm the latest batch of payments that have been
received by e-mail to the membership secretary. It's hardly rocket science
and it's far more secure for both parties.

You're right, it's not rocket science, but as you suggest it, it would
cause for us, a number of people more work. These people are all
volunteers so I'm not inclined to be some sort of a job creation scheme
for them.

I'm afraid that, if that is the attitude, then I wouldn't be bothered about
being a member. I've already discontinued my membership of one preserved
railway that I had been a member of for over twenty years, due to their
inability to embrace modern technology (ironic as they are one of the bigger
railways, whilst the smaller ones that I am a member of can function
efficiently).

shrug

You're obviously not that interested in being a member if you can't even
manage to raise a cheque once a year.
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)

On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:25:10 -0700, StuartJ
wrote:

Would any of you technophiles like to suggest an alternative to the
cheque for parents paying for school trips, scout group etc
subscriptions, and all the other things that go with having a family?
Too much for cash, none of the organisations concerned are set up for
cards- that's the real world..

BACS transfer into their account, or standing order. Our Scout Group
even gives a discount for using that method as it saves Leaders having
to handle cash on the night.

That method is pretty much zero-cost to both parties.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Jul 10, 6:38 am, (Neil Williams)
wrote:
On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:25:10 -0700, StuartJ

wrote:
Would any of you technophiles like to suggest an alternative to the
cheque for parents paying for school trips, scout group etc
subscriptions, and all the other things that go with having a family?
Too much for cash, none of the organisations concerned are set up for
cards- that's the real world..

BACS transfer into their account, or standing order. Our Scout Group
even gives a discount for using that method as it saves Leaders having
to handle cash on the night.

That method is pretty much zero-cost to both parties.


So far this thread has only mentioned personal cheques and company
cheques, both of which can be guaranteed.

But there are also accounts for "community groups" with banks like
Unity Trust, such groups being very likely to arrange bookings for
travel, meetings rooms etc, where cheques are not guaranteed and
require multiple signatories, and Internet payments can't be made
other than to accounts with the same bank.

This may be the fault of the bank, but it's still a good reason for
having to use cheques until they fix it.