While online bill payment is an efficient way to pay your utility company, mortgage holder and other debtors each month, chances are you still need a supply of paper checks to meet some financial obligations.
Purchasing them directly from your bank can be costly business, but a host of online companies offers cheaper alternatives. These are often companies that specialize in address labels, business cards and other printed materials.
But you might be surprised to learn that one of the nation’s largest retailers also sells checks online-Walmart. Its checks are affordable, and a recent order I placed confirmed the company provides fast, reliable service.
Walmart check prices start as low as $5.96 for a box of 150 single checks and 30 deposit tickets. I chose checks with a decorative pattern in this price range, then paid $1.95 to add a fraud-protection package to my purchase. Shipping cost me $3.25. My total purchase with tax came to $11.83. I ordered my checks on Wednesday, Feb. 22 and received them on Friday, March 1.
Walmart emailed me a confirmation after I placed my order, then followed up with an email to notify me my order had shipped. The company’s correspondence included a picture of the type of packaging that would be used to ship my order. The company does not ship checks in a traditional check box, so would-be thieves would not easily recognize what’s in its packaging.
In addition to single checks, Walmart sells duplicate checks, business checks and extra deposit slips and check registers. Available check patterns range from landscape scenes and floral designs to Disney characters and checks you design yourself.
Walmart’s prices are competitive with other check-printing services. For example, Walmart sells a box of 150 single checks with a mountain scene for $5.96. Similar checks sold by Current cost $9.99, and you only get 125 checks in your order. A box of 125 mountain checks from Checks in the Mail is priced at $14.99.
I’ve ordered checks directly from online retailers for years and never had any issues with them being processed by my bank. Walmart claims its checks save you up to 50 percent off the costs of checks ordered through your bank. If your bank doesn’t provide you with free checks on your account, consider this retail giant when ordering your next box.
For more tips on saving money and avoiding customer service headaches, check out my blog: Who Cares About Customers?
