Buying Checks Online
July 8, 2010 12:07 PM Subscribe
Check Printing Companies: Any recommendations for legitimate, reliable, reasonably priced online companies from whom you order checks? I am tired of paying so much to Deluxe. A google search comes up with a lot of entries, but I am hesitant to give my account and routing number to an unknown online company. Looking for personal recommendations from my friends in the hive mind community. Thanks!
Wal-Mart Checks is the lowest price I could find without having to hassle around with coupon codes or special offers. Or VistaPrint if you only need a few (like a single book). These are "free" with a $5 or $6 shipping charge.
Checks Unlimited is also legit and is Deluxe. Deluxe also runs Designer Checks and Checks.com. Google around for coupon codes for these sites and you can find some excellent deals.
posted by kindall at 12:11 PM on July 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
Checks Unlimited is also legit and is Deluxe. Deluxe also runs Designer Checks and Checks.com. Google around for coupon codes for these sites and you can find some excellent deals.
posted by kindall at 12:11 PM on July 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
My small non-profit ordered checks, deposit slips, and stamps from checksforless.com and have been happy with them. They were about half as expensive as Deluxe and of comparable quality.
posted by Colonel_Chappy at 12:11 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by Colonel_Chappy at 12:11 PM on July 8, 2010
Are you open to printing your own checks? I bought a pack of check blanks 5 years ago and use a freeware, 10 year old app called Check Printing Software 2000*. They print up 3 per page. I typically print out 50 at a time and when I run out, just print some more. Best $20 I ever spent.
*Windows app, but runs perfectly under OSX and Linux with Wine.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:17 PM on July 8, 2010 [3 favorites]
*Windows app, but runs perfectly under OSX and Linux with Wine.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 12:17 PM on July 8, 2010 [3 favorites]
I've used Styles Checks because I'm fussy and demand PRETTY checks and I have no complaints about either the service or the aesthetic quality of my checks.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 12:19 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by grapefruitmoon at 12:19 PM on July 8, 2010
We've been ordering checks from Checks In The Mail since the nineties. These days we write so few checks that a $12 box of checks will last us over a year. You can many times find coupon codes for free shipping.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 12:47 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by Gerard Sorme at 12:47 PM on July 8, 2010
Best answer: Another vote for Checks in the Mail. We're currently buying checks from Costco.
posted by chazlarson at 1:08 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by chazlarson at 1:08 PM on July 8, 2010
Er.. We used CITM for years with no trouble. Switched to Costco because it was cheaper and they've been fine for the last few years.
posted by chazlarson at 1:09 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by chazlarson at 1:09 PM on July 8, 2010
+1 VistaPrint. Very simple to use and layout, just be sure to copy over all of the numbers and addresses how you want. I think my shipping time was like a week and a half now, but they look great and work great.
posted by artlung at 1:23 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by artlung at 1:23 PM on July 8, 2010
Best answer: I got my checks through Costco and liked the price/service
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:40 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by buggzzee23 at 1:40 PM on July 8, 2010
I've been using Checkworks for 10 years or so. Just got my latest order in the mail today, in fact.
posted by puritycontrol at 1:43 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by puritycontrol at 1:43 PM on July 8, 2010
Best answer: Costco, if you're a member, also has very inexpensive checks...
posted by HuronBob at 1:52 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by HuronBob at 1:52 PM on July 8, 2010
Best answer: I've used Carousel Checks and they're super-cheap (like $6/box for duplicates!) if you're OK with boring traditional checks. They also have fancier ones too. No problems, everything was fine.
posted by calistasm at 2:28 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by calistasm at 2:28 PM on July 8, 2010
Are you open to printing your own checks? I bought a pack of check blanks 5 years ago and use a freeware, 10 year old app called Check Printing Software 2000*.
This is interesting. Where do you get the magnetic ink from and how much does that cost?
posted by kindall at 4:14 PM on July 8, 2010
This is interesting. Where do you get the magnetic ink from and how much does that cost?
posted by kindall at 4:14 PM on July 8, 2010
Response by poster: thanks everyone. I just put in my order to Costco, great idea and I wouldn't have thought of it. Looks like Carousel is about the same price but with Costco executive membership, I get money back.
posted by Lylo at 4:19 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by Lylo at 4:19 PM on July 8, 2010
Where do you get the magnetic ink from and how much does that cost?
MICR toner (GS link). Just stick it in for check printing and you're good to go.
Businesses use them for payroll, etc. Obviously, it's easier to handle when you can dedicate a printer to the task. You don't want to forget to swap before or after.
posted by dhartung at 9:02 PM on July 8, 2010
MICR toner (GS link). Just stick it in for check printing and you're good to go.
Businesses use them for payroll, etc. Obviously, it's easier to handle when you can dedicate a printer to the task. You don't want to forget to swap before or after.
posted by dhartung at 9:02 PM on July 8, 2010
This is interesting. Where do you get the magnetic ink from and how much does that cost?
If you're with a mid to large size bank (and even many smaller banks), chances are that you don't need it as they probably use OCR (optical character recognition) as opposed to MICR. I've never had a problem with my plain old inkjet printed checks, but if you're with a smaller bank, then it's probably best to check with them first.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 10:05 PM on July 8, 2010
If you're with a mid to large size bank (and even many smaller banks), chances are that you don't need it as they probably use OCR (optical character recognition) as opposed to MICR. I've never had a problem with my plain old inkjet printed checks, but if you're with a smaller bank, then it's probably best to check with them first.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 10:05 PM on July 8, 2010
For reference, I looked up check prices for a standard box of singles, blue safety checks:
WalMart: 150/5.96
Checksinthemail: 125/13.99
Carousel checks: 126/4.99
(I also called my bank about Deluxe checks. $25.95 for a box of 120.)
posted by Make Way for Ducklings! at 12:46 PM on April 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
WalMart: 150/5.96
Checksinthemail: 125/13.99
Carousel checks: 126/4.99
(I also called my bank about Deluxe checks. $25.95 for a box of 120.)
posted by Make Way for Ducklings! at 12:46 PM on April 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by anastasiav at 12:10 PM on July 8, 2010