Thursday, April 17th
2025 Personal Check Store Reviews
Bradford Exchange Checks
- 500+ designs to choose from
- Prices start at $21.95 for 100 single checks
- Save up to 70% off bank check prices
- Some personalization is free
- Free standard delivery (non-trackable, arrival within 2-3 weeks)
- "A” rated and accredited by the BBB
- In business since 1973
You may already be familiar with The Bradford Exchange, a "recognized world authority in fine collectible art since 1973”. They bring art masterpieces - and standard solids, cute prints, and sports teams, to name a few - to the table in their personal check designs. It seems like an odd association (collectibles and checks?), but it works.
Prices are about average across 500+ designs
There are about 500 check designs to choose from at The Bradford Exchange. It's easy to see which categories might catch your eye, from Charity & Support Causes (like the "Autism: Imagine” and "Rescued is My Breed of Choice” designs) to 30 MLB teams and many more. But, to give you an idea of how this company stacks up against the other printers of personal checks on our list, here's how The Bradford Exchange did on the three styles we used as a comparison:
- Basic Blue Safety Checks: $21.95 for a pack of 100 single checks and $24.95 for a pack of 100 duplicate checks
- Parchment Hologram Checks: $24.45 for a pack of 100 single checks and $27.45 for a pack of 100 duplicate checks
- Patriotic Design Checks: same cost as the Basic Blue design for the "American Pride” design (with 4 different patterns in each pack of checks)
Those prices were pretty average - not the most or the least expensive we've seen. And, at the time of our most recent visit, The Bradford Exchange was offering a new customer special offer to get one pack of checks for just $4.95 and the 4th pack free.
Opt in for extras
As you choose your personal check design and work your way through the process of getting them ordered, here are a few things you'll see. First, you can opt to add EZShield protection for $2.75 per pack; most sites offer that (some at a higher cost), but we appreciate that The Bradford Exchange leaves the service as an "opt in” instead of an "opt out”. You can also add coordinating checkbook covers, address labels, and extra deposit tickets if you like.
Some personalizations are no-cost
As you add your details, like your address and your bank account number, you'll have to click the "Preview” button if you want to see how your personal check design is coming along; The Bradford Exchange doesn't show you that automatically as you proceed. You'll find that some personalizations here are free, like opting for a Contempo or Olde English font. Monograms and symbols had extra fees, though, of $1.99 and $2.75, respectively.
Watch for shipping and handling fees
How about shipping? We spotted a very fine print "S&H” fee of $3.45 right under the Delivery Options heading, so don't be caught off-guard by it. The Bradford Exchange recommends their trackable SecureShip delivery; on our order of a box of single checks, it was $9.95 and included free in-plant rush and an estimated arrival date of 5-12 calendar days. You can get no-cost, non-trackable delivery here, if you're okay with it taking up to 3 weeks for your checks to arrive.
Good track record with the BBB
The Better Business Bureau gives The Bradford Exchange an "A” rating and accreditation - which was surprising given the 1,000+ complaints filed over the last 3 years and several outstanding alerts about the company. But, the majority of those rants don't have anything to do with personal checks, but rather with the collectibles and other services offered there. We did see one complaint specifically about a check order, but it looked like it was an error on the customer's part that The Bradford Exchange still handled appropriately.
Lots of 5-star reviews for personal checks
We also noticed that there's a lot of positive feedback regarding The Bradford Exchange's personal checks when you look beyond the BBB. On Google, for example, 61% of the 6,500+ store reviews are a perfect 5-star rating (mostly drawn from Trustpilot). Many customers say that their checks arrived well in advance of the expected delivery date and they were happy to get their personal checks at a much lower price than the bank was offering.
Not everyone is thrilled
However, others pointed out the surprise of seeing those service and handling fees during checkout; they felt duped by the "free shipping” promise, only to see that there were other charges that canceled out the no-cost delivery. Those fees aren't unusual in the personal checks industry, but we get it: no one likes to feel that extra charges were snuck in at the last moment. And, we spotted the fact that placing an order for personal checks over the phone (instead of through the online platform) will also incur a service fee. Eh.
Just average for personal checks
At the end of the day, The Bradford Exchange strikes us as decidedly average. The pricing is right in the middle of the pack, the selection is mid-tier in terms of style and quantity, and there's nothing over-the-top terrific or terrible about the customer service. Accordingly, we give The Bradford Exchange's personal checks an average rating.
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Who Sells the Best Personal Checks?
Personal checks, despite the rise of digital payments, still hold a valuable place in our financial lives. Ever wondered why people continue to use checks when so many transactions have gone digital? You may be surprised at just how often personal checks prove their usefulness.
First off, checks offer a level of reliability and comfort that some of us just aren't ready to give up. If you've grown up writing checks for rent, bills, or groceries, the process feels familiar and trustworthy. Plus, having that physical piece of paper as a record can be reassuring, especially if you like to keep track of your finances in a tangible way.
Personal Check Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Another great thing about checks is the control they give you. When you write a check, you decide when and how the money leaves your account. There's no immediate electronic withdrawal, which can give you a bit of breathing room to make sure everything is in order. This can be a real plus if you're managing your budget carefully and want to avoid any unexpected hits to your bank balance.
Checks are also widely accepted. While it's true that digital payments are common, not everyone accepts them. Small businesses, local service providers, and even some individuals might prefer or only take checks - or they charge extra if you pay with a credit card (DMV, anyone?). In these cases, having a checkbook handy can save you from scrambling to find an alternative payment method.
Just because checks are a little old-fashioned doesn't mean you have to get them the traditional way: ordering checks online is almost always cheaper than getting them through your bank. Plus, these providers tend to give you more options to customize your checks with different styles and security features, so you're not stuck with the basic (boring) designs your bank might offer.
Speaking of styles, personal checks come in a huge variety of designs. Whether you like classic, no-nonsense patterns or want something fun and colorful, there's something for everyone. You can find checks with themes ranging from nature scenes to cute animals, and even get personalized checks with your own photos. It's a great way to add a personal touch to your finances.
When you're ready to order your checks online, here are some things to look for when choosing which company to use:
- Variety of designs. Make sure the website offers a wide range of check designs, including customizable options that let you show off your personal style.
- Security features. Check that the site includes advanced security features like microprint signatures, watermarks, and anti-fraud measures to keep your checks safe.
- Pricing and discounts. Compare prices and look for discounts or bulk order deals to get the best value for your money. Don't forget to factor in any shipping and handling costs.
- Customer support and reviews. Read customer reviews to see if the service is reliable and responsive. Good customer support can make a big difference if you run into any issues. Does the company have a good rating from the BBB?
The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched some of today's most popular options for ordering personal checks online. Use this information to choose the best place to get your checks in a style you love, delivered right to your doorstep!
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