If we’re ordering lunch in my office to be delivered and we’re paying with checks, they ask for the check number. You know, like “3502” or whatever it is. Why do they want to know this?
Some companies won’t take a low numbered check - the thinking being that newly opened checking accounts (check number 203) are more likely to produce bad checks than someone who has had the same account for many moons (check number 7903).
I don’t understand the question. If you are paying by check, wouldn’t they see the check # on the check? Conversely, if are paying by electronic check, they would need to use SOME check #.
I will note that for at least some banks, the check numbers are PURELY for your convenience. They’ll gladly process two checks in the same month with the same number and not think twice about it…
By the way, “no low checks” is not a bad idea, but I’ll point out that my last bank was glad to start my checks at number 3000.
I think the OP is talking about when you call for delivery and the person taking the order asks what method of payment will be used.
The next cheque I write will be #057. I’ve had this account for roughly 20 years. Each new batch of cheques starts over again at 001.
Back when I worked for a pizza place and took phone orders, we ran checks in advance through a Check Systems type of terminal in order to validate that there was no history of bad checks on that account. So I’m guessing that aside from the check number (which we entered into the system), those paying by check were also asked over the phone what the checking account number was (we didn’t get routing number; I guess there are enough account numbers in use not to need the additional detail). It saved us drivers the trouble of delivering pizzas to people wanting to pay with bad checks.
When people tell me they are mailing me a check, I sometimes ask for the check number. As a way of verifying that they are not lying to me. Which they usually are.
Interestingly, nobody has ever just invented a check number. They simply get very defensive and angry and claim that the check is in the mail. So at least I know not to worry that there is a problem with my mail delivery.
I had a check declined at Target once (They use the Certegy check system). I couldn’t figure out why until I called the number and the robot lady told me one reason a check can be declined is a low check number. I recently switched banks, and I was on check number 170 or something. The next time I switch banks, I’m starting with check number 9500.
That’s just…bizarre. What, pray tell, is the point of having the check numbers at all?
Good question. When we (me and the missus) got our first checking account a lot of people didn’t take checks with numbers under 500. So we just threw out the first 500 checks, (or kept them for people who didn’t care, I can’t remember). Are people who demand high check numbers just morons? I can’t quite understand their motivation for this; if anybody has any idea why these “no low check numbers” policies are in place, care to enlighten us all?
Oh yeah. I was going to say that check numbers otherwise are useful. We often check our account online and we can tell which checks haven’t been cashed by looking at the numbers that have. Or we can keep track of checks in other ways by the numbers. I just don’t know why businesses care when anybody can order checks numbered in the millions if they want.
Because their POS software wants it. It’s as simple as that. The clerks and store managers neither know nor care why the system wants the number, they just know it asks for one, and they dutifully ask the customer. I’m sure there is no one reason, other than software companies who write and publish POS software know that their users want the check number. Some want it for the “security” of weeding out potentially bad checks, some for the convenience of the customer (to print ont he receipt) and others for various unfathomable internal recordkeeping reasons.
Those checking verification systems often have a guarantee to pay the store the amount of the check if an approved check is subsequently returned for non-sufficient funds. I guess I wasn’t clear above in my descriptions of the people place. The check system, then, asks for all of the pertinent detail about the check, including the check number. If it comes back refused, then you’re on your own as to whether or not you wish to accept a check. If the checking system comes back “okay,” and you’ve followed all of the rules, then the checking system we used guarantees the check amount will be paid to the store, whether by the bank for exchanging the check, or by the check verification company if the check is returned NSF. That’s why the check number is important. The check verification company needs to know which check exactly is being covered for.
My checks have got to be 10 years old now. They have my “home address” from when I got out of the military, which is, oh, four addresses ago or so. They bear the NBD (National Bank of Detroit) logo, which is a bank that no longer exists (NBD -> BankOne -> Chase). They also bear a branch name in Okemos – a tiny little burg that may or may not even have a branch these days, and a location that I’ve never, ever gone to other than for opening the account. When I opened the account, the clerk simply asked me what I wanted to first check number to be, and it was done. I think it was check 1500, and a quick check online shows that my last check cleared was 1534 a few weeks ago. Who the heck have I been writing so many checks to?!?
It took me a moment to realize that you were referring to “Point of Sale” software. I first read it as an editorial comment on their “Piece of Shit” software. 
I am often amused when I see signs about “No low check numbers accepted.” Years ago I learned that check printing places will allow you to start at any number you want. (Within reason I would assume. I never tried starting at 1,000,000,001.)
Well, I’ve seen a lot of really crappy POS systems over the years. Guess what retail employees who worked with those systems called them?