"Graeme" wrote in message
...
Regarding cheques, yes, they go in an envelope to the bank overnight,
usually quicker than ordinary post, no cost (stamp) to the user and a
receipt as 'proof of posting' or proof that a cheque has been deposited,
although amount not shown, and the receipt just shows an envelope, not how
many cheques were inside. The system worked well, with very few going
missing, but when an envelope did go missing, it could take a while to get
sorted.

Yes I think it's a case of managing expectations. I'd expected the PO to do
the same as a branch: log each cheque and batch them as a transaction that
shows up on the statement as of that instant, with the transfer of the paper
cheque being a slower process which is why you still have the problem of
cheques taking a few days to clear irrevocably and irreversibly. But the PO
just act as a forwarding service - though this may be quicker and cheaper
than simply posting the cheques and paying-in slip to your bank.

Eventually banks will all implement paying in by photographing the cheque,
to avoid having to visit a branch or the PO, or post the cheques to the
branch. But then cheques are used less and less: only for birthdays and for
paying small traders who don't want the expense of accepting credit/debit
cards. I run a small business doing PC support for local people, and I only
accept cheques or cash, so I just need to visit a branch every so often to
pay these in.