How can a bank legally charge a fee to cash a check when its drawn on their bank?

Question

Its their customer who wrote the check so why does the person cashing it get a fee for it by the big banks?

Answer 1

The person who wrote the check is their customer, not you. The fee is for providing services to a non-customer. If you take the check to YOUR bank, you won't have to pay a fee.

Ever stood in long line at your bank while all the tellers were tied up cashing checks for non-customers? The fee don't seem so unreasonable from that perspective.

Answer 2

Many banks will not cash a check for a non customer unless you pay a fee. Some will not cash a check even written on their bank even for a fee. They would prefer you go to your own bank or a check cashing place.

Answer 3

Probably because the person cashing it is not an account holder of that bank.

Answer 4

sure wish I knew. I thought their check was an unconditional order to them as agent to pay me the net amount stated on the check.

seems like robbery, if you ask me