The End of an era
Apr. 13th, 2011 12:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dormouse1953Just logged into my internet banking and noticed there was a message. Turns out that HSBC are stopping their cheque guarantee card scheme end of June. Nobody is writing cheques that need guaranteeing any more.
Back when I started university in 1970, I remember my father taking me in to see the bank manager so I could open an account. The manager recommended that the account be based at the university branch in Leeds. So, when I was at uni, whenever I needed money I could just go across the road and cash a cheque there. (And, unlike some students, I usually managed to keep money in my account till the end of term.) I'm sure I occasionally wrote cheques for things like text books, but I can't remember how they were guaranteed. Perhaps they accepted my Student Union card.
When I graduated, I transferred by account to my home branch, but as I was getting a job in London, it was recommended that I receive a cheque guarantee card. I well remember how cheque books had a calendar in the back, and whenever you cashed a cheque using the card, the cashier would poke a hole in the day's date on the calendar, to prevent you writing cheques all over London. And I recall that the first few SF conventions I attended, I paid my hotel bill with a cheque guaranteed by the card.
But then came credit cards, and I no longer needed to write cheques for goods or hotel bills. And then came ATMs. (OK, I know the first ATM was installed in Enfield in north London in 1967. Apparently the first person to use one was Reg Varney. But I didn't get an ATM card till the late eighties.) I haven't cashed a cheque for years, I pay bills by internet transfer, everyone can accept credit cards via PayPal. It's only in my role as treasurer of the Science Fiction Foundation that I write most of my cheques these days. OK, a cheque in the post is a good way to send birthday presents, but a cheque I wrote my nephew for his birthday last August, he still hasn't cashed. When I saw him at Christmas, he admitted he never goes near a bank these days.
And my bank account was still held at my home town branch right up till the end of 2009. I haven't lived in that town since 1973. That branch has now closed, so they transferred my account to a nearby town, one in which I've never lived.
Back when I started university in 1970, I remember my father taking me in to see the bank manager so I could open an account. The manager recommended that the account be based at the university branch in Leeds. So, when I was at uni, whenever I needed money I could just go across the road and cash a cheque there. (And, unlike some students, I usually managed to keep money in my account till the end of term.) I'm sure I occasionally wrote cheques for things like text books, but I can't remember how they were guaranteed. Perhaps they accepted my Student Union card.
When I graduated, I transferred by account to my home branch, but as I was getting a job in London, it was recommended that I receive a cheque guarantee card. I well remember how cheque books had a calendar in the back, and whenever you cashed a cheque using the card, the cashier would poke a hole in the day's date on the calendar, to prevent you writing cheques all over London. And I recall that the first few SF conventions I attended, I paid my hotel bill with a cheque guaranteed by the card.
But then came credit cards, and I no longer needed to write cheques for goods or hotel bills. And then came ATMs. (OK, I know the first ATM was installed in Enfield in north London in 1967. Apparently the first person to use one was Reg Varney. But I didn't get an ATM card till the late eighties.) I haven't cashed a cheque for years, I pay bills by internet transfer, everyone can accept credit cards via PayPal. It's only in my role as treasurer of the Science Fiction Foundation that I write most of my cheques these days. OK, a cheque in the post is a good way to send birthday presents, but a cheque I wrote my nephew for his birthday last August, he still hasn't cashed. When I saw him at Christmas, he admitted he never goes near a bank these days.
And my bank account was still held at my home town branch right up till the end of 2009. I haven't lived in that town since 1973. That branch has now closed, so they transferred my account to a nearby town, one in which I've never lived.
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no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 12:14 pm (UTC)I cash M&Ds bithday/Christmas cheques quickly, but write only a few a year, for cons and reunion meals.
My investments send me cheques
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 02:25 pm (UTC)You don't actually need a PayPal account to pay by PayPal, as I recall. Indeed, I just experimented with the SFF page. Pressing the pay button takes you to a PayPal login screen, but there is a "Don't have a PayPal account" option which allows you to pay via credit/debit card.
I have two PayPal accounts, one for the Foundation and a personal one. Always have to make sure I use the right one. :-)
I think most of my investments pay straight into my building society account, except for my Premium Bonds, which send me those things that look like cheques, but you have to sign them yourself, which always seems strange to me.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 08:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 09:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 05:22 pm (UTC)It doesn't let you do that if you do have a PayPal account. I do, but it is deactivated and as I don't have a landline, getting it reactivated involves physical letters. Extremely tedious and as put me off using PayPal. Which is a pity as I want to rejoin the SFF. Perhaps I should just give you a cheque next time I see you!
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 06:24 pm (UTC)But what happens if you select the "Don't have a PayPal account" option? I just tried it here, and I get a screen allowing me to enter credit card details. And, as I said, I have two PayPal accounts.