Merrill Checks: Worth the Price?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores participants' thoughts on the checks offered by Merrill, discussing their appeal, pricing, and personal experiences with using checks in general. Participants share their feelings about the design, cost, and practicality of ordering these checks.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in the Merrill checks, acknowledging their high price but liking their design.
  • Another participant finds the checks "nifty" but notes they rarely use checks for their Pampered Chef account.
  • Several users mention they find the checks cute and enjoy matching them with their business style, but some are trying to cut back on spending.
  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shares that they plan to purchase the checks in the future when their financial situation improves.
  • Another participant mentions using Identity checks with a Cooking Club design, suggesting they are comparably priced to Merrill's checks.
  • One user states they write checks frequently for various business-related expenses and plans to buy the Merrill checks.
  • Another participant shares their experience of ordering checks from Town & Country but felt they couldn't justify the cost after only receiving one order from them.
  • Some participants express that they do not write checks often and therefore cannot justify the expense of the Merrill checks.
  • One participant recounts a past experience of having their account hacked, leading them to prefer ordering generic checks instead.
  • Several users discuss their banking experiences, mentioning rewards programs for debit card use and how that influences their decision to use checks or cards.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the necessity and justification for purchasing the checks, with some participants expressing enthusiasm for them while others find them too expensive for their needs.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences related to their use of checks, including financial habits and preferences for managing expenses. The discussion reflects a range of financial situations and attitudes towards spending on business-related items.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the purchase of checks or those interested in discussing the practicality of using checks versus debit or credit cards may find this thread relevant.

ChefBeckyD
Gold Member
Messages
20,320
Has anyone ordered the Checks from Merrill? I used to look at the ones from T&C and think about ordering them.....and now that has transferred to Merrill - I know they are pricey......but I really like them - what do you guys think about them? Am I crazy for wanting them?
 
I don't think you're crazy. I think they are really nifty. I have debated purchasing them myself, but I don't really use checks with my PC account. I guess I could order them for my personal account when I run out next time.
 
I think they are cute as well, and of course I love to match...I am trying to cut back on spending until I make money. It sure it hard though.
 
Jilleysue said:
I think they are cute as well, and of course I love to match...I am trying to cut back on spending until I make money. It sure it hard though.

I hear ya there Jilleysue! I'm having an awful time! :rolleyes:
 
I've been eyeballing them my own self. I think that in the future, when I am a director and have some more money coming in, that I will be less hesitant to spend money on stuff like this. Mostly what I buy from my PC account are PC things or from other vendors at the local parties, and those people KNOW I sell PC, so I don't know if it would be worth it or not. I think they are really professional, though!
 
I used Identity checks. They have a Cooking Club of America design that has lots of yummy looking foods on them. I think the price is pretty comparable to Merrills as well... and I think you get a deal if you are a new customer.
 
I am going to get them eventually. My recruiter has them, and has gotten shows from using them. I'm am waiting because we may or may not be changing banks.
 
I bought the ones from town and country and got 1 order off of them but that was it for the whole box. They were really cool looking but I couldn't justify the cost.
 
I use the Merrill ones! I love 'em:) Checkers will often comment about them...
 
I rarely write checks, so I can't justify the cost.
 
I thought about ordering them from merrill as well... but since I dont' write checks out my PC account I could not justify the price..... maybe when I am a director.....
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Wow! I write checks all the time! When I buy postage supplies, when I buy groceries for trial recipes & show ingredients, when I need to pay for events & booths etc...., at the Dollar Store for little things I need for the business....at Costco, Office Max, Staples......I'm writing checks all the time.

I know I could use a debit or credit card - but I'm bad about recording things when I use my Debit Card, so tend to only use it for gas purchases....and I don't use a CC except in emergencies or for internet purchases....

So I think I'm going to go ahead and buy those checks!:D
 
ChefBeckyD said:
So I think I'm going to go ahead and buy those checks!:D


Good for you!!

I thought they were cute as well, but can't justify spending the $$ on them either, I use my debit card for everything, as a credit card....so I get rewards points from Visa!! I love using my checking account and getting free things!

I don't keep track of my purchases on a check register like I used to; but I log in to my account everyday and look at the balance and purchases to make sure that there isn't anything suspicious or that my balance isn't too low:eek:
 
I Had Them..
ChefBeckyD said:
Has anyone ordered the Checks from Merrill? I used to look at the ones from T&C and think about ordering them.....and now that has transferred to Merrill - I know they are pricey......but I really like them - what do you guys think about them? Am I crazy for wanting them?

and my acct got hacked into so I had to close my acct :(

In the past I had "little chef's" or something like that but can't find them anywhere now :(

Now I just order pretty pastels and put all info on checks. Merrill doesn't allow email or certain other info but on my reg checks i still put my email, web site, consultant ID, etc.

HTH

liz

oh and another thing with those PC checks you HAVE/MUST take duplicates and I really don't like those either.
 
same here...
jenniferknapp said:
Good for you!!

I thought they were cute as well, but can't justify spending the $$ on them either, I use my debit card for everything, as a credit card....so I get rewards points from Visa!! I love using my checking account and getting free things!

I don't keep track of my purchases on a check register like I used to; but I log in to my account everyday and look at the balance and purchases to make sure that there isn't anything suspicious or that my balance isn't too low:eek:


where do you or who do you bank with that you get rewards for using your debit card?

tia

liz
 
[where do you or who do you bank with that you get rewards for using your debit card?/QUOTE]

I know you weren't asking me but my bank (U.S. Bank) gives cash back bonus for using your debit card as a credit card.
 
by the way Liz...are you ready for to reveal the new you yet?
 
jenniferknapp said:
I thought they were cute as well, but can't justify spending the $$ on them either, I use my debit card for everything, as a credit card....so I get rewards points from Visa!! I love using my checking account and getting free things!
I think National City gives points for debit card use. And I keep seeing commercials for Bank of America's "Keep the change" program, which sounds like a good idea. Every time you use your card, they give you the "round up" amount and deposit it in your savings account. So if you use your card for a $12.15 purchase, that's what you're debited, but they put 85 cents into your account.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #19
lizcooks4u said:
and my acct got hacked into so I had to close my acct :(

In the past I had "little chef's" or something like that but can't find them anywhere now :(

Now I just order pretty pastels and put all info on checks. Merrill doesn't allow email or certain other info but on my reg checks i still put my email, web site, consultant ID, etc.

HTH

liz

oh and another thing with those PC checks you HAVE/MUST take duplicates and I really don't like those either.


Hmmmm, I DON"T want email/website etc....on checks...but I DEFINITELY want duplicates - that's the main reason I write checks instead of using my debit card....so I don't forget/lose the check info!
 
lizcooks4u said:
where do you or who do you bank with that you get rewards for using your debit card?tializ
My bank is NBT....I believe that they are really only in NY....but I think that more banks are starting to offer rewards for the use of your debit or credit.... just be careful, because some banks charge you to use your debit! Check around and ask...I was never told about it, I went to log in online and saw a button for "Visa Extras" one day, and that was how I found it....PS: I have received well over $100 in gift certificates for just using my checking account, and it is cheaper then having to purchase checks all of the time (I do keep a book on hand though) :)HTH!
 
chefann said:
I think National City gives points for debit card use. And I keep seeing commercials for Bank of America's "Keep the change" program, which sounds like a good idea. Every time you use your card, they give you the "round up" amount and deposit it in your savings account. So if you use your card for a $12.15 purchase, that's what you're debited, but they put 85 cents into your account.
Hmmm, that would be SUPER nice, better than gift certificates! I think I would make lots of small trips to the dollar store:p
 
this thread had me laughing, my DD said it wouldn't make a difference for you mom!! 98% of my checks are made payable to my husband.
Everything we buy goes on our Discover card. At the end of the month I write my husband a check to cover my stuff (candles, new shoes, candles, books, candles, Longaberger, candles you get the idea) .
He won't let me pay for my VIP shirts, office supplies, etc. & many times when I say oh, I bought this I need to write a check he just says never mind.

I was so excited Monday DD and I went shopping for clothes for our friend's funeral and we both fell in love with the same pair of sandals. We wear the same size now so we bought them in brown and black so we can share. I just said we have to make sure not to wear them to church on the same day and she said it doesn't bother me.

Seriously, though I think wearing a shirt, having a car decal, carrying catalogs is more effective than "advertising" by check.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #23
Teresa Lynn said:
this thread had me laughing, my DD said it wouldn't make a difference for you mom!! 98% of my checks are made payable to my husband.

Seriously, though I think wearing a shirt, having a car decal, carrying catalogs is more effective than "advertising" by check.


I do all that...just wanted to add another layer....and it's time for me to order new checks....and I just WANT them!:rolleyes:

My DH has checks with Mopar cars in the background (his $$$hobby$$$) and he pays more for those than the PC checks would be for me...so I think I DESERVE them!:D
 
ChefBeckyD said:
My DH has checks with Mopar cars in the background (his $$$hobby$$$) and he pays more for those than the PC checks would be for me...so I think I DESERVE them!:D
You DO! :) Order them! Then you have his and her checks.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
My DH has checks with Mopar cars in the background (his $$$hobby$$$) and he pays more for those than the PC checks would be for me...so I think I DESERVE them!:D

OOoooHHHHhhhh.....then order away!!! You NEED the PC checks! :):D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #26
chefann said:
You DO! :) Order them! Then you have his and her checks.

Exactly! Thanks Ann!:D
 
I just ordered some from Artistic checks (country kitchen design for our personal account, then Pillsbury checks for my PC account.) I just couldn't pay the price Merrill wants!

(Including shipping first order: 2 boxes side tear checks: $17.34 Second order: 2 boxes regular checks: $15.34)

Plus, I added a few things:
over the signature line: Join my team! Ask me how you can start your own business!

Put my phone number in as "address part 1"
address in "address Part 2"
Then, listed this: Shop 24/7 @ www.PamperedChef.biz/*******

I am writing them both of on my taxes for PC advertising!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
Wow! I write checks all the time! When I buy postage supplies, when I buy groceries for trial recipes & show ingredients, when I need to pay for events & booths etc...., at the Dollar Store for little things I need for the business....at Costco, Office Max, Staples......I'm writing checks all the time.

I know I could use a debit or credit card - but I'm bad about recording things when I use my Debit Card, so tend to only use it for gas purchases....and I don't use a CC except in emergencies or for internet purchases....

So I think I'm going to go ahead and buy those checks!:D

I totally agree with ya Becky! I am always writing checks for the same reasons as you:) And my PC checking account is positively free, so I feel I can splurge a little on my checks. (plus they last about 9 months, so that's not such a big splurge)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #29
I didn't even think about that Lacey! My account is free too! :) Well, it's free for the first 15 checks written each month, but I've only gone over my limit once or twice...
 
Unfortunately, my PC account never has enough money in it to write checks! It's all spent on more PC products.
 

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