Echecks and Online Commerce

Most people buy goods online on an almost daily basis now. E-commerce has become absolutely massive, and this has meant that many different payment systems have emerged. But one method that is often neglected is that of echecks.

What Are echecks and how do i use them?

Echecks make it possible to pay online by transferring money electronically from the current or checking account of the payee. There are also merchant echecks accounts available, which make it possible for businesses to withdraw payments direct from their business bank accounts.

Payments have to be authorised by customers, while various terms and conditions also apply to echecks.

Modern technology makes it possible for echeck processing to take place electronically, which is more efficient and also saves on waste paper. A payment via echeck would initially request authorisation for an echeck to be cleared, before the business inputs payment information into processing software.

Once this has taken place, the echeck payment can be finalised and submitted, and then funds are withdrawal automatically and deposited from the customer’s bank account.

Payment by echecks is a very speedy process, and most merchants expect to complete transactions within 3-5 business days.

What Are The Differences Between Echecks And Personal Checks?

While personal checks have become significantly less common over the last couple of decades, they can still be used as a legitimate form of payment.

Personal checks are directly connected to the bank account of a customer, and already have various details printed on them, such as the name and address of the payee.

The problem with personal checks is that they are increasingly declined by stores as a form of payment, and some also require a check guarantee card in order to accept them.

There is also more administration associated with personal checks then echecks, meaning that they can be rather time-consuming.

What Advantages Are There To Using Echecks?

By contrast, there are several advantages associated with echecks. Aside from the fact that they are considerably more efficient, it is also possible to save money by echecks, at least when paying by post.

Echecks eliminate many of the requirements and expenses associated with personal cheks, while also being more efficient. Echecks are also considered more safe and secure than traditional personal checks, and possibly even more so than debit and credit cards.

The level of check fraud is actually quite serious, with the American Banking Association calculating this to be worth in excess of $1 billion annually. Because echeck notifications are sent directly from one email address to another, it’s impossible to intercept them, as is possible with traditional paper checks. Meanwhile, additional security is also built into the system.

Another advantage of echecks is that they are compatible with modern accounting software, which certainly doesn’t apply to the dated personal check system.

Transactions associated with echecks can be entered in accounting software without any double-entry being required. This is obviously more convenient, but it also means they won’t incur any software expenses from upgrading software.

Echecks also make it possible to pay from anywhere at any time, while merchants receive payments faster, at no cost to the receiver, and with no form of signup being required. Echecks are a payment system that works for both parties in every transaction.

Stores Online That Accept Echecks

There are a variety of retailers that accept echecks, both on the high street and online. Some of them are among the very biggest companies in the world, so here are some of the most notable.

Amazon

While Amazon doesn’t accept PayPal, the world’s largest retailer does accept echecks. This can be entered via a checking account during the checkout process. Amazon stocks virtually every type of goods that you can possibly imagine, and has recently even moved into food retail.

Bloomingdale’s

The legendary department store has fully embraced echecks, and makes them accessible via the PayPal option at checkout. Bloomingdale’s is renowned the world over for delivering luxury items and outstanding customer service.

eBay

The iconic auction site began by using personal checks as its primary payment method, and is still embraces both personal and echecks today. This only applies to items in certain categories, where the goods must be picked up in person, but it shows that eBay still values its roots.

JCPenney

Another major department store chain that embraces echecks, JCPenney also links PayPal to a checking account in order to make this possible. JCPenney boasts 865 locations in 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and has a rich 117-year history.

Macy’s

Macy’s was founded in the 19th century, but the modern Macy’s does everything possible to make all payment methods available to shoppers, including echecks. Macy’s is the largest U.S. department store company by retail sales.

QVC

The legendary QVC shopping channel is another source of clothing that has embraced echecks. QVC broadcasts to more than 350 million households in seven countries, and remains popular even in the age of online retail.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue uses PayPal linked to checking accounts in order to make echeck payment possible. This chain of luxury department stores is owned by the oldest commercial corporation in North America, the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Samsung

Recent times have been hugely successful for Samsung, with the Korean company having pulled away from Apple in the mobile phone market, while achieving huge profitability overall. And the pioneering technology giant also has its eye on the ball in payment methods, with its website enabling payment by echeck once you have submitted an order.

Target

One of the most popular ‘big box’ stores, Target makes paying via echeck possible, again linking the system with PayPal. Target Corporation is the 8th-largest retailer in the United States, and is listed on the S&P 500 Index

Vistaprint

This hugely popular printing site makes it possible to pay by echeck for all orders over $10. Vistaprint is a Dutch company that was founded in 1999.

Walmart

Finally, this huge retailer has also embraced echecks, meaning that you can pick up the sort of affordable clothing associated with Walmart via echeck payments. Walmart is the world’s largest company by revenue, with US$514.405 billion, according to the Fortune Global 500 list in 2019.

Wayfair

Wayfair has become a hugely popular furniture and home goods store, with its operation entirely focused on e-commerce. Wayfair makes it possible to pay with echecks, giving shoppers an extra options at the checkout. Wayfair offers offers 14 million items from more than 11,000 global suppliers.

Casinos and Bookmakers Accepting Echecks

Several of the top bookmakers and casinos also accept echecks as a method of payment and cashing out. These include Casino.com, 888Casino, Bet365, Intertops, Betonline, 5dimes, Sportsbetting, MyBookie and Mansion Casino.

This can be a very secure and convenient way for punters to both deposit and withdraw funds, with online casino play, poker, and gambling in general becoming hugely popular.

Some of the other casino sites that accept echecks are as follows:

  • Hippodrome Online Casino
  • Gaming Club Casino
  • Euro Palace Casino
  • Platinum Play Casino
  • River Belle Casino
  • Captain Cooks Casino
  • MYB Casino
  • Grand Hotel Casino
  • Sports Interaction Casino
  • UK Casino Club
  • All Slots Casino
  • Luxury Casino
  • Casino Action
  • Grand Mondial Casino
  • Zodiac Casino
  • Yukon Gold Casino
  • Royal Vegas Casino
  • SugarHouse Casino
  • Villento Casino
  • Colosseum Casino
  • Blackjack Ballroom Casino
  • Aztec Riches Casino
  • Casino Kingdom
  • Casino Share
  • Golden Tiger Casino
  • Challenge Casino
  • Phoenician Casino
  • Quatro Casino
  • Music Hall Casino
  • Lucky Emperor Casino
  • Rich Reels Casino
  • Golden Reef Casino
  • Vegas Country Casino
  • Virtual City Casino
  • Players Palace Casino
  • Casino Classic
  • Lucky Nugget Casino
  • Nostalgia Casino
  • Spin Palace Casino
  • Jackpot City Casino
  • Wild Vegas Casino
  • Prism Casino
  • Club Player Casino
  • Palace of Chance Casino
  • Slots of Vegas Casino

So If you don’t have a debit or credit card, you can still shop online at many online retail stores and pay by check. Most stores that allow check payments use PayPal to process the purchases, but a few stores accept electronic checks – and some allow you to mail paper checks after you have made your purchase.

Article By Chris Morris: I am a full-time, experienced and published writer in both book and article form. I have a BA in English Literature.I have had several thousand articles published professionally. I have been regularly published by Yahoo. I have written for several other major publications including the FT. I am currently the Editor of The Healthcare Times.
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