[alkonaut]

Don't forget that in the US utility bills are still often used as proof of living address. signatures are compared in some cases of identity verification (e.g. voting). Paper checks are still used as means of payment, even in retail.

It's hardly surprising that fax machines are still used.

[paulie_a]

On the plus side I have noticed an upward trend to not allowing checks at retail locations.

[Spivak]

Seems silly not to when they just end up being slightly more cumbersome to use debit cards. Like it's not that bad in the grand scheme of things.

[paulie_a]

It is substantially better per transaction. Insert card, wait a few seconds, type pin. Vs fumble for check book, find a pen, write all the details and sign it, then because most business have fraud issues with checks. run it through a third party processing to verify the check is valid. I'm guessing debit vs check is probably at least 3 times longer for check. Also the merchant has to pay the additional fees that are higher vs debit.