I recently wrote about inexpensive check printing service offered by Walmart. It was a discovery for me that you can use Walmart (or other check printing services for that matter) to order checks for any bank account on your name. Yesterday I gave it a try. I ordered a box of doubles and it took me around half an hour to get it done. I saved about $20 compared to what Citibank charges me but I lost 30 minutes of my precious family time.
Why? Walmart has put several layers of “protection” to guarantee I get exactly the checks I need and also to make sure it is not someone else who is ordering my checks. For starters I had to enter the account and routing number twice and confirm it later on several screens. Also I had to dig out my bank mailing address and confirm my submission with my SSN and drivers license details. Alternatively I could fax a voided check back to them but I honestly don’t even remember when it was the last time that I faxed anything, so I opted for SSN.
The thing that killed me though was that I had to dig out the month and year when my bank account was open at Citibank and honestly I didn’t even know where to go for this information other than call the Customer Service, and you might guess how long it takes to get anyone on the line on Monday afternoon.
So my overall experience was rather disappointing. Do I wish it was less stressful? Yes. Will I try to do it again when I need more checks? Probably yes. I am hoping to cut the 30 minutes in half since I know most of the drill now. Also I hope Walmart keeps some of this data in online so next time ordering checks should be somewhat faster.
Where are you ordering your checks? Please share your tips in the comments
$20 savings vs. 30 min spent in the process… Think of it as $40/hr pay rate. Pretty decent pay for the data entry type of a job ;)
Data entry? I am not for hire! ;-)
USAA Federal Savings Bank provides free checks, along with free most everything else. surely Current or Checks in the Mail at least matches Wal-mart’s pricing?
I have free checks with my Washington Mutual account, but I like Citibank for their free next day inter-bank transfers (up to $1000 a day) and so far I can’t find any other bank matching this offer. Does USAA have it?
Brad,
I think the first batch of checks from USAA are free but after that they cost unless they changed things here recently. We us USAA bill pay service so I hardly ever write checks. I leave it up to them to send out they preferred method of payment.
Fred
USAA checks are always free if you order the check stock they offer for free. You may order “cute” checks, but you will pay. You may put a cute quote over the signature line, but you will pay for that also. Basically if you order the wallet blue with no frills, they are free.
Are these doubles? Having a copy of each check is invaluable and I am too disorganized to log every check I write :(
Back to the USAA thing. You may be right. I always want the duplicate checks, maybe that is why I buy them. A box last us like two years.
Good post.
Hi there,
If you happen to be a member of a local warehouse club like Costco, you might find a better experience as well as similar savings. If you are an executive member, you will save an additional 20% as well. On top of that, the price includes shipping.
Here is a link to copy and paste:
http://secure2.checks-and-form.....p=personal
Good luck!
**************
Buying advice and tech help for everyman.
http://www.techinlaw.com
You can thank legislature for making you dig up your account open date. There are a dozen or so states that require the account open date be printed on your check (for fraud purposes). Every check printer must adhere to this ruling.
The funny thing is the checks I get from my bank direct don’t have it (or at least didn’t have it the last time I ordered them)
Will my checks be refused if I got that date wrong?
By the way, I just received the box I ordered with Walmart
Yan, you may not live in one of the states that require the account open date to be printed on the check. I don’t know all the details, but I doubt your checks will be refused. There is no way to validate the date printed unless your bank keeps that information and is willing to share it.
I just ordered my first box and it only took me less than 3 minutes. It took me longer to find one I liked-since there are so many to choose from. Only the IL residents need to input the date they opened their checking acct. I think is a great way to order checks and cheap too! Can’t wait to get them!
A penny saved is a penny earned, my friend. You HAVE earned $20 for that half an hour of data entry.
For WellsFargo I found the opened account date in my Account profile. Worth a try?
I always order through Walmart with no problem. They never asked me for any of that and it took all of 3 minutes. Sorry about the bad experience.
Walmart checks are great and I usually order a box of single wallet Mountain View checks for $9.45 including shipping! Shipping is always fast (even without in-plant rush and faster shipping I usually receive my checks in 1-2 weeks), and their email service is informative and to-the-point. Can’t beat that :)
My order took less than 10 minutes. Only a few states require date bank was opened and if your state does require it, all you have to do is guess, it does not have to be exact.