When you’re standing behind people in the grocery store and you see the one in front of the line pulling out a checkbook to pay for her items, do you notice the surprised and funny look on the faces of everyone else behind her?  Indeed, that is because paper checks are less and less used with the advent of electronic banking and payment systems that are really quick and efficient, and seeing people paying with a paper check may seem like living in the stone-age. With everyone always racing with time, no one wants to wait in line for someone to have to flip through all the pages on her check book, ask the cashier again with the total amount, double-check it with the cash register screen with a long, focused stare, scribble the amount on that piece of paper, sign it, then wait for another minute or so while the cashier asks for one’s identification and run the check.

But it’s not just the time factor that is causing the shift from paper checks to electronic transactions – though, yes, speed is among the major reasons. With credit and debit cards on the rise, and the ongoing amp-up of electronic check conversion, the process of paying for items has improved on several fronts — for individuals, businesses and banks alike.

Undeniably, electronic banking methods are not only faster they’re also usually more secure, reliable and efficient, all of which helps make the entire process a great deal cheaper — and quite a bit easier on the environment. Just imagine how much trees needs to be cut down to produce the hundreds of checkbooks banks require every month. Without paper checks, it is becomes not that easy for consumers to float checks, stop checks and write fraudulent checks. In fact, the increasing rise in bad checks also factors into the new policy of refusing checks as payments in many establishments today. They now prefer cash, debit cards and credit cards because they can be processed quickly and “come with added protections” that safeguard the interests of the consumer and the retailer.

But many would argue that paper checks would not go that easy. With the popularity of swiping those plastic cards at check-out counters, there are still places and circumstances that could not really be completed with your credit card, making checks the more convenient option. The money you owe your friend, or your baby-sitter and many other offices and community organizations/associations where credit cards certainly won’t do.

The trends, however, tell a different story:

United States’ food assistance program known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is now delivered 100 percent electronically. Beneficiaries used to carry food stamps that appear like paper coupons to grocery stores. Now, they come in the form of electronic ATM-like plastic cards, each carrying a specific equivalent value of the government freebies.

Banks now no longer retain original checks written. Instead, they keep electronically stored images of checks, which can be dealt with in a much timelier and cheaper fashion.

Businesses of today, large and small, are cutting out physical payroll checks. In lieu of that, they are giving employees two options: direct deposit or prepaid debit cards in receiving their pay.

As reported in LA Times, Whole Foods Market, one of the country’s largest grocery chains, indictaed that its goal is to reduce losses due to check fraud. One other aim is to speed up the checkout lines. Thus, they started refusing paper checks. Another chain, Fresh & Easy, a chain with 130 small groceries in California, Nevada and Arizona, didn’t even bother with a test. When it launched in 2007, they have cut checks right out of its design from the very start.

Amazon no longer take checks or money orders. From their announcement, checks or money order funds remaining in one’s account from September 8, 2008 and onwards, the funds will be transferred to an Amazon.com Gift Card balance. The Gift Card balance will be automatically applied to the next order one places on Amazon.com and they do not expire. However, they provided an option to pay directly from your ACH-enabled U.S. checking account which spares one from having to mail a physical check.

Ebay followed. They, too, no longer allow Checks/Money Orders as payment methods. In their 2008 announcement, they stated that only approved electronic methods will be allowed. In January 2009, all accepted payment methods are integrated into eBay Checkout. According to them, this change means a more consistent and secured payment experience for buyers. For sellers, it means faster payment and fewer unpaid items.

Airlines, grocery stores, restaurants and many retailers now decline to accept personal checks. When paying for credit card charges, utilities, parking tickets or magazine subscriptions, young people instinctively grab a mouse and click. Take a look in stores: Is it even possible anymore to find a fashionable wallet that holds check registers?

For those companies that elect to not accept checks then maybe we as consumers need to find companies that will accept a check a payment for the service provided. While others insist that paper checks will not really go. Maybe not in five years. But perhaps in 10 years, checks are going to be pretty well gone, if not sooner. However, go to Bank of America and get a free checking account with a free debit/visa card – - – problem solved. And yeah, welcome to the year 21^st century!