A budding tradition...

[alexpgp]

I am not a big fan of holiday greeting cards, mostly as a side effect of having seen the process viewed, and viewing it myself, as a duty—which sort of kills the whole "hail -the-season-thinking-of-you" subtext—heavily leavened with guidelines for adding and dropping people from one's card list that resemble the retaliatory style in which I've seen some LJers maintain their friends lists.

Last year, I got around to opening some corporate cards—mostly cards from agencies I do work with—about two weeks into the New Year...and discovered that one of my clients likes to send a check for all outstanding invoices along with the card!

The tradition continued today, as I lost no time at all in opening the envelope.

My bank account and I are on speaking terms again.

Cheers...

Comments

[velvet-granat.livejournal.com]

I didn't manage to send out any cards this year at all... *sigh*. Despite getting a wad of 'business branded' cards last year for a few peanuts at Vista print.

Didn't get any cards from anyone either, just e-cards. I wonder if the postmen are happy that people are sending out less real mail these days.

P.S. A cheque is a nice touch! Would be even nicer if it was a bonus and not outstanding moneys ;)

P.P.S. I can't remember when I've seen a real cheque. At least 10 years ago. Are they still commonly used in the US?

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

I can't speak for the post office Down Under, but recent noises from the U.S. Postal Service suggest they are pursuing a business model that involves (a) providing a lower level of service (e.g., slowing down First Class Mail, eliminating Saturday deliveries), and (b) charging more for what service they do provide.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a bonus check from an agency.

Checks are in ubiquitous use, particularly by businesses. Most individuals and families pay their bills by check, although it's becoming easier and easier to set up auto payments from one's account or various credit cards.

Cheers...

[velvet-granat.livejournal.com]

Hah. We haven't had Saturday deliveries for several decades :)

There are basically two types of mail in Down Under - regular (can be optionally registered) and Express (which takes 24 hours between major cities or your money back). But as far as service, it's more expensive than USPS by probably 30%, at least for parcels and such. A letter costs 60 cents to mail these days, and an Xmas card - 55 cents.

We get charged $3 *per cheque* for writing them, so it's not a budget option. All official payments (car registration, rent, bills, rates, etc) can be done online, and just about everyone has a credit or at least a debit card. However, I have to buy Postal Orders (aka cheques you buy at the post office) for the Russian Consulate, they are behind the times as usual ;) Those are about $2. For larger amounts, there are bank cheques as well.