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Carousel Checks Review

Monday, February 10th

2025 Personal Check Store Reviews

Carousel Checks Review 4 Star Rating

Carousel Checks

4 Star Rating
  • Over 3,000 personal check designs to choose from
  • Save up to 80% over bank checks
  • Prices start at $11.99 for 100 basic single checks
  • All check printing done in-house
  • Free bulk shipping
  • Upgrades available for font, signature line message, clipart
  • "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB
  • Over 3,000 5-star reviews
  • In business for 20+ years

Carousel Checks is a family-run business that's been around since 2003. Its headquarters are on the southside of Chicago, and they do all of their printing and manufacturing in-house. That includes not just personal checks but also business and computer checks, address labels, checkbook covers, pre-inked stamps, and many other related products. Also, FYI, there are several brands under the Carousel Checks umbrella (including Checks on Sale, Bank Checks Plus, and Extra Value Checks), and you'll find all four of those in our reviews.

3,000+ check design options

Getting your personal checks from Carousel is really straightforward. The easiest way to get right to the kind you've got in mind is to identify what your top priority is. Budget? Click on the "Shop Now” button by Value-Priced Checks. Security? Carousel recently added Hologram Checks to the repertoire, and they're featured on the main page of the website. Cute design? Carousel shows you some of their most popular options, in categories like Stylistic, Animals & Wildlife, and Scenic. And, if you've got a less traditional personal check format in mind, Carousel still has you covered: just scroll down to see options for Side Tear, Top Stub, Desk Set, and Secretary checks. There are over 3,000 designs to choose from, so have fun browsing some of the fun options.

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Competitive prices

To give you a basis for comparison across the personal check printers on our list, we looked at the same three options on each site: basic blue safety checks, parchment hologram checks, and a popular patriotic design. Here's how Carousel measured up:

  • Basic Blue Safety Checks: $11.99 for a box of 100 singles, $14.99 for a box of 100 duplicates
  • Parchment Hologram Checks: $21.99 for a box of 100 singles, $25.99 for a box of 100 duplicates
  • Patriotic Design Checks: $14.99 for a box of 100 singles, $16.99 for a box of 100 duplicates (American Pride design)

Watch for charges on "extras”

Just keep an eye out for additional charges. We were caught a little off-guard by some of them during our ordering process, like having to pay $0.49 each for the little cardboard box that checks typically come in, or being offered EZShield Check Fraud Protection for $3.99 per 100 personal checks. It's up to you if you just want to throw your checks in a drawer or reuse a box from the last time you got them, and you can read the details on the fraud protection add-on to see if it's necessary. At least you're given the option here, instead of having those fees automatically added to the cost of your checks.

Preview your personalizations

Once you've selected the checks you want, you'll carefully enter all of the standard information: your name, address, bank name, routing and account numbers, and so forth. You can also pay a bit extra for a signature line message, for a specialized font, or even to add clipart. Each addition costs $2.50. With extras or without, you'll be able to see the preview of your checks as you make each change, so you'll know that it looks exactly the way you want it before you place your order.

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Coordinating accessories

Speaking of extras, Carousel will make you a few more offers as you work your way to the checkout. Need deposit tickets? Double window envelopes? How about a cover - in a plain solid color or coordinated to match your check design? It's easy enough to click "No, Thanks” if there's nothing you need.

Costs can add up quickly

We wish that Carousel Checks had been a little more upfront with their shipping and handling charges. On a single box of American Pride duplicate checks with one upgrade for the font, our cost started at $16.99 and wound up at $34.12: it defaulted to trackable shipping via DHL for $8.95 (though we could have opted for free bulk shipping), plus a $3.60 handling fee and then sales tax. There was also an option to cut two days off the processing time for a "rush this shipment” fee of $6.99, but we appreciate that this upgrade wasn't the default setting.

Average delivery speeds

How fast will your checks arrive? If you choose bulk mail and you live within the lower 48 United States, your order should come within 2-3 weeks from the date your order is placed. Opt for Priority Mail if you're in a hurry, but you should still expect it to take 6-10 business days to get your personal checks. Deliveries to Alaska, Hawaii, the USVI, or Puerto Rico will take 3-4 weeks via bulk mail, but the same 6-10 business days if you choose Priority Mail delivery.

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Save with a pop-up discount

Want to save a bit on your order of personal checks? When we visited the Carousel Checks site recently, we got a pop-up discount offer of 15% if we signed up for their mailing list. It had a minimum order requirement of $14.98, but most purchases of personal checks will qualify.

Fantastic reputation

You're not going to do much better than Carousel when it comes to reputation. Not only does the company maintain a perfect "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, but there were also zero complaints filed against Carousel in the year leading up to this review. For a large business, that's impressive. And, in Google reviews alone, Carousel has earned over 3,000 5-star ratings. We found lots of compliments from loyal customers who wouldn't dream of using another company to print their personal checks, giving plenty of praise for the friendly customer service reps and the on-time delivery of their orders. The only complaint we could see was that some people have had issues with the checks tearing cleanly at the top, but we all know that happens fairly regularly with checks no matter where you get them.

You can't go wrong ordering your checks here

Of the four related stores that sell personal checks, Carousel comes out on top. It seems to pull together the best aspects of the company and put it all in one place. It's missing just a bit of transparency with respect to pricing, keeping Carousel Checks from earning a perfect score, but we have no problem recommending this site as an excellent choice the next time you need to replenish your supply of personal checks.

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.

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Personal Check Store FAQ

Believe it or not, not all payments today are digital. From sending a check for a graduation present to paying a babysitter who isn't old enough for Venmo yet, people still use personal checks on a regular basis.
Because you like to save money, that's why! Personal checks from the bank are usually bland (blue or green, no designs ,and so on) and cost much more than you'll pay if you use a well-established service.
Absolutely. You can choose a fun design or logo ranging from sports teams and universities to photos of your family or pets! You may also want to consider duplicate checks for added convenience.
You can expect prices starting at less than $7 for a box of 150 single checks, and a little over $7 for the same number of duplicate checks. While you might be able to get fewer checks in your order, 100-150 is the most common minimum number available to purchase.
That depends. If you are willing to wait awhile and don't want trackable shipping (...though we're not sure it's a good idea to skip it!) you might be able to get free shipping. Otherwise, you'll probably pay around $5.99 for First Class Mail with tracking.
Most providers offer an overnight option - but it's expensive, usually around $45. You'll pay half that for two-day delivery with most personal check printers. If you go for free shipping or First Class, your checks may take up to two weeks to arrive.
Almost 100% of the time, yes. These companies would go out of business if their checks didn't work exactly like the ones you'd buy from the bank. When your checks arrive, double-check your bank routing number and your account number to make sure there aren't any errors. If you spot a problem, you'll probably get either a full refund or a reprint with expedited shipping.
Yes. Some of the companies offering personal checks have been around for decades and have the reputation - and rating from the Better Business Bureau - to prove it. You'll get much more for your money when buying your checks through one of these trustworthy businesses, compared with getting them from your financial institution.
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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!

Compare Personal Check Stores

Select any 2 Personal Check Stores to compare them head to head

best-personal-check-stores
  • Check Advantage
  • Carousel Checks
  • Designer Checks
  • Checks On Sale
  • Extra Value Checks
  • Checks Unlimited
  • Bank Checks Plus
  • Bradford Exchange Checks
  • American Bank Checks
  • Deluxe Checks
Check Advantage vs Carousel Checks Check Advantage vs Designer Checks Check Advantage vs Checks On Sale Check Advantage vs Extra Value Checks Check Advantage vs Checks Unlimited Check Advantage vs Bank Checks Plus Check Advantage vs Bradford Exchange Checks Check Advantage vs American Bank Checks Check Advantage vs Deluxe Checks Carousel Checks vs Designer Checks Carousel Checks vs Checks On Sale Carousel Checks vs Extra Value Checks Carousel Checks vs Checks Unlimited Carousel Checks vs Bank Checks Plus Carousel Checks vs Bradford Exchange Checks Carousel Checks vs American Bank Checks Carousel Checks vs Deluxe Checks Designer Checks vs Checks On Sale Designer Checks vs Extra Value Checks Designer Checks vs Checks Unlimited Designer Checks vs Bank Checks Plus Designer Checks vs Bradford Exchange Checks Designer Checks vs American Bank Checks Designer Checks vs Deluxe Checks Checks On Sale vs Extra Value Checks Checks On Sale vs Checks Unlimited Checks On Sale vs Bank Checks Plus Checks On Sale vs Bradford Exchange Checks Checks On Sale vs American Bank Checks Checks On Sale vs Deluxe Checks Extra Value Checks vs Checks Unlimited Extra Value Checks vs Bank Checks Plus Extra Value Checks vs Bradford Exchange Checks Extra Value Checks vs American Bank Checks Extra Value Checks vs Deluxe Checks Checks Unlimited vs Bank Checks Plus Checks Unlimited vs Bradford Exchange Checks Checks Unlimited vs American Bank Checks Checks Unlimited vs Deluxe Checks Bank Checks Plus vs Bradford Exchange Checks Bank Checks Plus vs American Bank Checks Bank Checks Plus vs Deluxe Checks Bradford Exchange Checks vs American Bank Checks Bradford Exchange Checks vs Deluxe Checks American Bank Checks vs Deluxe Checks
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