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At least in Australia the magnetic stripe is already gone for all intents and purposes. I can't remember the last time I used it. The American schedule may be a

At least in Australia the magnetic stripe is already gone for all intents and purposes. I can't remember the last time I used it. The American schedule may be a little aggressive though, you guys still use cheques extensively.

toast0 5y ago
> The American schedule may be a little aggressive though, you guys still use cheques extensively. Naw, we use checks, much more convenient than cheques.
barsonme 5y ago
Define extensively. Anybody who pays with checks in situations where credit cards or cash can be used is gonna get funny looks, unless they’re a little old lady.
- herbst 5y ago
  Compare that to every single bank refusing to pay out my $150 check. Most banks even having no idea if this is actually still a thing, some had to get their boss to ask because they never had this situation before. I still have that check because it's literally worth nothing around here.
- VonGallifrey 5y ago
  In my mind the fact that checks are used in any situation is definitely "extensive" use. I have never in my live used a check or seen one outside of movies.
- scoopertrooper 5y ago
  The difference is that in Australia literally zero retail businesses will ever accept a cheque under any circumstance and all government payments are made using electronic transfers. I haven't been issued a cheque book from my bank in over decade and I've maybe cashed 3 in my 30+ years alive. I actually can't think of a single place outside of a bank where you can use a cheque and even then it's a challenge to actually exchange it for cash. Most banks in Australia have trouble coming up with $10,000 - even busy branches in the CBD of a major city. Now, granted I haven't been to America, but I do read things on the internet. From what I understand, your financial system is held together by a system of pneumatic tubes passing cheques around, though I hear there is some experiment with telegram machines.
  - barsonme 5y ago
    Somehow those tubes keep $22tn flowing :) Alas, I’m not sure which tubes you’re referring to. These days, banks use FTP to shuffle bank transfers around. However, I do think checks have their uses. I’d rather write a check than use cash any day of the week. You can cancel a check, but you can’t cancel cash. Of course, I’d rather pay digitally. But sometimes that’s not an option. Also: “cashing” a check usually just mean depositing it into your bank account. Not swapping it for cash, although you can do that, too.

toast0 5y ago

> The American schedule may be a little aggressive though, you guys still use cheques extensively. Naw, we use checks, much more convenient than cheques.

barsonme 5y ago

Define extensively. Anybody who pays with checks in situations where credit cards or cash can be used is gonna get funny looks, unless they’re a little old lady.

herbst 5y ago
Compare that to every single bank refusing to pay out my $150 check. Most banks even having no idea if this is actually still a thing, some had to get their boss to ask because they never had this situation before. I still have that check because it's literally worth nothing around here.
VonGallifrey 5y ago
In my mind the fact that checks are used in any situation is definitely "extensive" use. I have never in my live used a check or seen one outside of movies.
scoopertrooper 5y ago
The difference is that in Australia literally zero retail businesses will ever accept a cheque under any circumstance and all government payments are made using electronic transfers. I haven't been issued a cheque book from my bank in over decade and I've maybe cashed 3 in my 30+ years alive. I actually can't think of a single place outside of a bank where you can use a cheque and even then it's a challenge to actually exchange it for cash. Most banks in Australia have trouble coming up with $10,000 - even busy branches in the CBD of a major city. Now, granted I haven't been to America, but I do read things on the internet. From what I understand, your financial system is held together by a system of pneumatic tubes passing cheques around, though I hear there is some experiment with telegram machines.
- barsonme 5y ago
  Somehow those tubes keep $22tn flowing :) Alas, I’m not sure which tubes you’re referring to. These days, banks use FTP to shuffle bank transfers around. However, I do think checks have their uses. I’d rather write a check than use cash any day of the week. You can cancel a check, but you can’t cancel cash. Of course, I’d rather pay digitally. But sometimes that’s not an option. Also: “cashing” a check usually just mean depositing it into your bank account. Not swapping it for cash, although you can do that, too.