In a Nutshell
pros
- Company guarantees accuracy and scheduled arrival of checks
- Lengthy list of security features for checks
- Company does not sell user data
cons
- Only about 150 pre-designed logos available
- No money-back guarantee
- Limits on trademarked designs
Best For
CheckAdvantage is solid option for small business owners who would like to save some money on clerical expenses, while still receiving the same security assurances that they would expect from their bank.
It also sells a number of office supplies from deposit slips to binders, envelopes, and stamps, and is a reliable one-stop shop for business owners trying to make their office bookkeeping needs more convenient and affordable.
Overview
CheckAdvantage states that since 2001, 99% of all customer orders arrived on time and 99.9% were error free. On top of that, there is a company guarantee to reprint and express ship replacement checks free of charge. The company also states that all of the checks are guaranteed to meet or exceed American Banking Association standards.
In addition, the company has partnered with McAfee and VeriSign to protect customer data and ensure that security is always a priority for CheckAdvantage.
Customization Options
With CheckAdvantage you have a good amount of freedom when it comes to how your checks will look. There are around 150 logos that can add to your checks, in themes as varied as animals, homes/landscapes, occupations and sports.
You can choose from 12 different colors for laser checks, and four colors for manual business checks.
If you’d like to customize the font, you can pick from any of 6 separate custom fonts for just $2.95.
Check Styles and Add-ons
Computer checks: Also known as laser checks, these checks can be printed clearly on an inkjet or laser printer. CheckAdvantage supplies them in 12 different colors and styles, and they are compatible with more than 200 software programs. This type is designed for users to run through a printer to fill them out rather than handwriting them with a pen.
Manual Checks: These are checks that you fill out by hand. CheckAdvantage sells a variety of manual checks including 3-on-a-page, checks with vouchers, desktop checks, as well as complete business check kits which are all-in-one kits including a check binder, deposit slips, endorsement stamp and checkbook organizer.
Payroll checks: These checks can be made in both hourly and salary versions and come with payroll stubs so that you can take care of your bookkeeping more efficiently. On CheckAdvantage, payroll checks come as singles or 2-part carbonless duplicates, can be used with a 7-ring binder, and leave room to fill out deductions and other information.
Pricing
*Prices last updated June 2018
Orders for checks can be placed 24/7 and an order placed by noon (CT) will be finished and on its way within 3 business days. If that’s simply too long, you can pay extra for “in-plant” rush, and your order will be shipped the following business day. The amount of time it takes for the order to arrive depends on the shipping ordered.
CheckAdvantage offers free shipping, but the order will be non-trackable and is only available for personal checks. The cheapest shipping option for business checks will cost $10.50-$11.60, or about half the cost of a pack of 100 checks. If you want next day air, the cheapest option will be $34.70-$38.90. Shipping will be a large amount of the expense no matter which plan you choose, so it may be best to order in bulk, so as to have less shipments.
Security
CheckAdvantage’s personal, laser, and 3-per-page business checks include a number of security features, including an anti-counterfeiting microprinting logo, a padlock icon from the Check Payment Systems Association (CPSA), invisible fluorescent fibers, a security screen, and a heat sensitive icon (available only on laser business checks). In addition, all checks are printed on UV dull base sheet, treated with securlaser, and feature full chemical reactivity, all of which are meant to make the checks much harder to counterfeit.
CheckAdvantage also takes a number of steps to ensure the security of customers. The company’s website runs McAfee Secure to keep customer transactions and data secure, as well as a Norton-certified SSL certificate to encrypt private information.
Payment Options
You can pay for your CheckAdvantage order by credit with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card, or through your PayPal account.
Usability
The simplicity of the reports really depends on the user and how complicated their bookkeeping is. CheckAdvantage products are meant to be easy to use even for people with little or no experience balancing a checkbook.
Customer Support
If you need customer assistance you can contact CheckAdvantage at any moment through a live chat button located on every page of the company website. You send a question and then wait for a response, but it may take around 24 hours or so. They have customer service at a toll free number, open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (CT). You can also fill out an online contact form, or reach them by fax or mail.
The Bottom Line
CheckAdvantage simplifies the chore of ordering business checks and gives customers a wide variety of styles to choose from. No matter which option a customer goes with, they’ll be protected by a long list of security features and have access to a number of customer service options. And while it’s only with personal checks that customers get over 2,500 design themes, you can still put your own special touch on CheckAdvantage business checks, which the company guarantees will be accurate to your specifications and arrive on time.
