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.
Subpar
Deluxe is one of the original names in checking, getting its start all the way back in 1915. Your financial institution may even partner with Deluxe in the checks they offer (and that should give you an inkling of what to expect with pricing here...).
Can't see prices without providing your banking details
When we went to order our personal checks, Deluxe took us aback with the way they jumped right into asking for our routing and account number, just to show us the available design and pricing options. At least buy us dinner first, Deluxe... They also let you opt to "browse without pricing", but that seems like it should be the default (like you get with most competitors' sites). Instead, you'll have to log in with your banking details just to know what Deluxe will charge for your personal checks. Not a fan of that.
Can be confusing for new customers
We entered a fake set of banking numbers in order to do the research for you, and we were told by Deluxe that we needed to contact our banking information because our details had changed. That's pretty confusing if you're a new customer, right?
Pay more here, but get fewer checks
Deluxe only has about 100 designs to choose from, so don't expect anything particularly novel or noteworthy when you're shopping for personal checks here. To make an equal comparison across companies, we looked for three specific design options: a basic blue safety check, a hologram check for extra security, and any popular patriotic theme. Deluxe didn't do so well in terms of cost or style:
Personalizations are expensive
You've got design upgrade options at Deluxe, from adding a monogrammed letter to using a different font. They don't make it obvious, though, that each one comes with an upcharge: you'll just have to pay attention to the total for your order as it goes up, and that may be your first inkling that these upgrades are spendy at about $5 each. The only positive we can offer is that Deluxe shows you exactly what your personal checks will look like in the handy preview image.
No way to get free shipping here
The news doesn't get any better the more you dig into Deluxe. Unlike most rivals who offer free non-trackable, bulk shipping, Deluxe charges at least $3.55 for it. You can also upgrade to 7- to 10-calendar-day shipping for $8.55, pay $15.55 for 4-business-day delivery, or $21.55 for 1- to 2-business-day shipping. Those prices were what we were charged for a basic one-box order of single checks; you may see higher fees if you're placing a larger order. You're also automatically opted into the Deluxe Provent Check Fraud Protection service for $2.50, so make sure to set that to "no" if you don't want it included. On a positive note, there were no extra handling fees on our Deluxe order (a charge you might notice with some of Deluxe's rivals).
Perfect score from the BBB
Still, we're not particularly concerned with Deluxe's overall reputation. The company has an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with just 15 complaints filed with the BBB in the last 12-month period. For a business that's been around for over 100 years, that's a good track record. And, Deluxe provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee if you're not happy with your order of personal checks for some reason.
Customers aren't happy with the site or the prices
But, when we jumped over to Trustpilot, we saw that while half of the reviewers gave the company a perfect 5-star score, almost a quarter of them offered the lowest possible rating. We found a significant number of complaints about the functionality of the website, including some of the weird login procedures we described earlier. And, some people said this would be their last time reordering checks from Deluxe when they realized just how much less they could pay somewhere else.
Last on our list
Deluxe still gets the lowest spot on our list. The fact is, they just don't make it easy to order personal checks here. And, even if you sail through the process all the way to checkout, you're going to pay significantly more than most rivals are charging - and have fewer design options while you're at it.
Continued from above...
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.
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:
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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