I was just reading this article which reports that the UK are no longer going to phase out cheque books as it would cause too many issues for older people (totally see that point as the older generation rely on cheque books back home) But what do older people do in countries that don't use cheque books, like here for example?

Since living here the past 5 and a half years I can't imagine using a cheque book again, they seem so out dated - but the UK struggle to accept change and it seems they are staying

Well does that make a nice change UK 0 CH 1

Must say though that cheques to have their uses and I miss them. We still have cheque books for use in the UK. Great so that we can put a cheque in the post to send there for special occasions, small charities, etc.

Some interesting material:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheque#...ves_to_cheques

Don't miss them, glad to be rid of them.

Cash or electronic transfer, what more does one need?

Tom

well an old person probably struggles to get cash out from the non existent banks and post offices in many UK villages these days and many dont have electronic transferring means

so the question being.... what do old folk in switzerland do?

I had no idea there might be an...dare I say it...alternative to cheques!

Umm, they go to the Post Office.

To get cash, they wait for the postman to deliver it, which is why it's easier, and pays better, to knock over a Post Office than a bank.

Record Post Office heist was CHF 47M as I recall (Frauenmunster), biggest local one was CHF 250K+ at Gravesano (a village of 1500 people or so).

Tom

The elderly folks in my town meet up at the Post Office and have their stack of orange slips ready for the counter staff to settle. Meeting up there is an exciting event for them.

Those alternatives

Debit card payments
Credit card payments
Direct debit (initiated by payee)
Direct credit (initiated by payer), ACH in US, giro in Europe
Wire transfer (local and international)
Electronic bill payments using Internet banking
Online payment services (for example PayPal and WorldPay)

Still don't seem to replace the use of a cheque book for an old person, I am picturing my 92 year old gran - she wouldn't be able to do any of those let alone understad many of them

Maybe swiss old folk are all internet savvy even the 90+ year olds

I guess they use the post office or go into their branch. They've not had cheques for so long, it must be second nature.

I can't imagine what would happen in the US if they eliminated checks. I think you'd have a geriatric riot.

Luxury of a post office within walking distance - maybe this is why the UK can't justify phasing them out as most of the banks and post offices have been shut down in rural and even not so rural villages

Old people in my country use internet banking. Alternatively, cash, credit cards and go to the bank to make their payments - we've never had checks, so therefore nobody misses them. There are mobile banks as well, so called Bank Buses, that drive to smaller villages, so old and less mobile people can do their banking.

You can also pay via ATM.

If you live too far from a Post Office or ATM to pay your bills, where do you get stamps to mail the checks?

Tom

Unsure of the UK, but over here the honor system works.

The vendor may often send the items over with a payment slip without first obtaining payment, and usually it is then settled at the Post Office within a reasonable time, often out of their Post Office account.

That's pretty obvious you don't understand how the UK works.

But maybe reading the incredulous posts of non-Swiss at having items delivered with payment to be given at a later date when the bill comes might have given you a clue. There's more than just one or two of those on the forum.

Sorry, but I can make no sense of this post.

What incredulous posts, and why?

Tom

There are plenty of posts in the forum where someone's bought something or had a service performed and have not paid for it at the time. A bill comes in the post or is handed to them, and they're told to pay it within a reasonable time.

Why? Because in the countries that the majority of us come from, that just doesn't happen.

Village shops and supermarkets usually sell stamps in the United Kingdom.

And how is this a problem?

Seems like a great way to do business, bill people AFTER they have received service!

Tom

Yes, but here the Post Office is closer than most shops!

Tom