Comment by fn-mote | Hacker News Reader

Comment by fn-mote | Hacker News Reader

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> Making IRS payments without a fee

I think you are exaggerating, conflating "checks" with "electronic transfers from my (checking) account".

IRS has an excellent electronic debit system. Sure, the money comes from my checking account. Are you saying that is the same as a check?

> Paying the gas bill. My gas company charges $5+ to pay by credit or debit card. > Paying the electric bill. The electric company charges $5+ to pay by credit or debit card.

e-pay by the bank... is the same as a check? Maybe...

The whole thing about the rent is surprising. I'm surprised you don't get billed for checks. I had a direct-debit-only landlord recently. Surcharge for everything else.

You forgot: your cable company also wants direct access to your bank account and will give you $5/month for the privilege. So consider that a fee for paying any other way.

> IRS has an excellent electronic debit system.

They actually have two! Direct Pay and EFTPS use ACH (electronic check) and are both free.

Personally, there's very little anymore that I need to pay by physical check -- almost everyone takes credit cards, and for those that don't (or who charge more than 2% for credit card transactions), I use ACH.

> I'm surprised you don't get billed for checks.

Not too many years ago, I had a landlord (a big property management company) who charged a fee for electronic payments. I forget how much exactly, but it was ridiculous -- like $10 or $20 per payment. For them, I used my bank's online bill pay, which behind the scenes is just the bank printing out a paper check and mailing it to the payee. I bet they've switched to free ACH payments by now.

Lately, the only cases I can think of where I actually pull out a check book and write out a check are to pay (1) a contractor (electrician, landscaper, etc.) and (2) for a campsite at a self-service campground. Most parks take credit cards (just write your payment information on the registration slip) but a few don't. I'll pay cash if I have exact change, but as I don't make a habit of carrying around lots of small bills it's helpful to have checks just in case.

Some banks still charge per payment for online transfers/bills and don’t for checks. As my cost per check is around 25 cents, plus a first-class stamp and an envelope if it’s mailed, anything more than $1 is a reason to use a check.

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