I suspect that most of the people who do use these "services" have mishandled a bank account in the past or don't trust banks or are simply following in a family tradition. If you don't like banks (and these days, who does?), try a credit union.

It isn't just Blacks, folks. I think if you look real close... it has to do more with demographics and economics status. If you can't afford or have reasons to "NOT BE IN THE SYSTEM"... then you jump into the jaws of these leeches. If someone does use these POS.... then it is because maybe... they make poor choices by habit.... Kinda like a homeless person with a cell phone and $200 jackets or tennis shoes. What is it..... reality or perception????? You may want to cash a check so that is no real tracings of your movements.... or the fear of an account, someones, ex wife... child support, liens ....you owe may find.

I classify these "Checks For Cash" in the same view as Loan Sharks or even backalley coathanger life extinguishers. They all are there for those who get themselves in a bind... to pick the bones white..... IMHO

On the surface it seems silly to pay a check casher or payday loan shark, but many of us who use traditional banks pay through the nose for ATM fees, NSF fees, monthly charges etc. It's not as cut and dry as we think.

I use Ace check cashing and have a pre-paid debit visa card. After years of being ripped off by banks on my personal and business accounts and out of control interest on credit cards I decided to try something else. I actually pay less less in fees, do the same on line banking as anyone else. My Visa never goes over limit and gets reported to credit agencys as always paid as agreed. Now I feel like my money is mine, not some damn bankers. If you trust banks after what just happened with this bail out thing, then shame on you. And by the way, when I go to this service on its busiest day, only one in twenty people that come in are black.This service is for everyone and really has some incredible advantages. More cash for us. Less cash for them.

I have a free checking account at Chase where I also have direct deposit from my job. I don't like to have to keep balancing my account, so I don't have a debit card and if I have to send in a payment to somebody I use money orders instead of checks. My bank charges $5 for a money order whereas the check cashing place has them for free. (They make money strictly off the float) Also, I can pay all the utility and Comcast bills there too. They charge $1 to pay bills, I get a receipt, and it's credited that day. I know I can pay all of these bills online, I just prefer having that tangible piece of paper to prove that I did in fact pay instead of relying on the bank to keep track of it in their system. I'm sure one time trying to straighten out an online bill pay gone wrong would only prove to me that I was right to do this in the first place.

This works really well for me as I work on a nearly 100% cash system. I do have a credit card that I use to make large purchases where I want some protection if something goes wrong or for online shopping.

I'm not black, I'm not poor, I have good credit and I own my own home in a typical middle class suburban area. As I said, I have a checking account so I don't cash my checks there, but I do use a lot of their other services that I feel are advantageous to me.

At first it may seem plain stupid to used cash checking services.

But if you earn VERY little and can't keep a minimum balance, the fees are killers. Plus, banks will put a hold on checks and if you need the cash right away (an often occurence if you live close to the bone) using the cash checking services are the only thing you can do.

Please think a minute before you condemn those who live marginally. I used to live quite comfortably but now am in rather difficult straits (through no fault of my own). At least I have a savings and a paid-for decent home. I can't imagine how hard it would be if you did not have any backup or support system and little financial knowledge.....

Check Cashing services provide a need service. If they weren't there their would even more predatory Loan Sharks to take their place. Bank Fees are killers and are true predators. If it weren't for the electronic age and convenience I wouldn't put my money in a Bank.

What is really behind this question is how can the banks consolidate their control over the supply of cash. It is just like when they started the big fuss about refund anticipation loans. People will pay for convenience. Rich people do it all the time.

banks are charging to many fees these days, i'm in the process of taking my money out.