Com checks?

[Robert_in_NY]

I have a guy who wants to buy 2k bales of hay. He said he prefers to pay with a Com (sp?) check. I have never heard of this type of check before and he explained it to me as a check he can give to the truck driver to cover breakdowns or pay for loads. I am a little nervous about this type of check as I have never dealt with one before and do not want to give away a bunch of hay. Does anyone have any experience with this type of payment system or is there another system you trust other then cash? He said he doesn't like to send cash with the drivers and I can see his point. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Take care.

 

[LarryRB]

I was an owner operator over 17 years and used com checks almost exclusively. Unless they changed their system,, you can take the check, bring it to your bank, and on that check is an 800# they call, and a number is issued and check cashed,, Com check has been around trucking circles since the late 60's and at the time, was totally bullet proof.. Again, I haven't used them since the early 90's, and things can change,... Ask if he writes one, where close by can both of you go for the authorization number,, Preferably your local bank..

 

[ScottAR]

It's the same system. The store where I work recently got a new client and before their charge account kicked in they paid for parts with com checks.

You dial the number and the automated lady voice asks for the number on the check and viola it's activated or whatever.

 

[WVBill]

When I was flying in the Navy and we were away from our home base we carried something similar.

Basically a blank check drawn on the U.S. Government Treasury - good for anything for any amount. In case we had to make an un-planned landing at a civilian airport, we could pay for gas/landing fees or whatever. We called them "Cadillac Chits" 'cause you could buy one with one. Of course, if you did you'd be spending some time in a Naval facility called the "brig".

 

[mjarrels]

If I remember right, those cadillac chits were good for up to $20,000. Probably would be called Impala chits nowdays.

mark

 

[RayH]

Ive used ComCheks to pay for stuff on occasion. I drive a truck and usually have to pay for lumpers to load/unload me with a ComChek.
If you accept the ComChek, you must call the number on the check to verify the account number that is written on it. I think the number goes straight through to ComData, the company that controls the accounts. When you call they will give you an authorization number to write on the check and give you instructions on how to cash it. Its similar to a paper version of a credit card. Im not familiar enough with it to verify how reliable or safe it is but it is a common method of pay in the trucking industry. The most important thing is to call and verify it before excepting it. You might try searching for DataCom and see if you can get more info and do a little research before hand if you are leary of it.

 

[onsight]

I own a trailer repair business and have to take com-checks occasionaly. I always call for an authorization # while the driver/equipment is still there to make sure the check is good. Once you have the auth. # anyone can cash it then, your bank or some truck stops.