Most major online retailers do not accept personal checks, but some specialty and smaller merchants do
Personal checks are rare in online shopping because they move slowly and create fraud risk for merchants. A check takes 5 to 10 business days to clear, during which the customer could dispute the charge or the check could bounce. For this reason, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and nearly all large retailers require credit cards, debit cards, or digital wallets instead.
Some online stores that do accept checks are typically smaller operations: specialty retailers, antique dealers, craft marketplaces, and mail-order businesses that have accepted checks for decades. A few niche sites like certain farm-supply retailers and independent bookstores still list checks as an option. The process usually means printing a check, mailing it to the merchant's address, and waiting for them to deposit it before your order ships.
If you are looking for a specific store, the fastest way to find out is to reach the checkout page and look at the payment methods listed, or contact the store directly. Most will tell you when ready whether they accept checks at all.
Key Takeaways
- Personal checks are not accepted by major online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Target because they take 5 to 10 days to clear and create fraud risk.
- Smaller merchants, specialty retailers, and mail-order businesses are more likely to accept checks, though you will need to mail the check and wait for it to clear before your order ships.
- The payment method list at checkout will show whether a store accepts checks; if you do not see it listed, contact the merchant directly.
- Even when a store accepts checks, the transaction is slower than card payments because the merchant must receive the check, deposit it, and wait for the bank to clear it.
How online check payments work in practice
When a store accepts checks online, the process is not truly "online" — you print a check and mail it. The store provides a mailing address at checkout or in a confirmation email. You write the check to the business name, include your order number in the memo line, and send it by mail.
The merchant receives the check, deposits it into their bank account, and waits for it to clear. This clearing process takes 1 to 5 business days depending on the banks involved. Only after the check clears does the merchant confirm payment and ship your order. If the check bounces, the merchant will contact you, and your order will not proceed.
The entire timeline from mailing to shipment is typically 2 to 3 weeks. This is why check payments are uncommon for online shopping — customers expect faster service, and merchants want payment certainty before they pack and ship.
Which types of online stores are most likely to accept checks
Specialty retailers with a long history of mail-order business are your best bet. This includes farm and garden suppliers, certain craft and hobby retailers, independent bookstores with online ordering, and antique or collectible dealers. These businesses built their operations around mail and phone orders before the internet existed, so accepting checks by mail is part of their standard process.
Some B2B (business-to-business) online stores also accept checks, particularly for larger orders. If you are ordering supplies for a business, the checkout page may list checks as an option alongside wire transfers and purchase orders.
Smaller independent retailers and Etsy sellers sometimes accept checks, though most have moved to PayPal, Stripe, or other payment processors. You will need to check each store individually — there is no single list of online retailers that accept checks.
Why most online stores stopped accepting checks
The shift away from checks happened because of three practical problems. First, checks are slow — a 10-day clearing window means the merchant cannot confirm payment for nearly two weeks. Second, checks create fraud risk: a customer can claim they never received the order, or the check can bounce after the merchant has already shipped. Third, processing checks costs money. The merchant must handle the physical mail, deposit the check, and potentially deal with bounced checks, all of which takes staff time.
Credit cards and digital wallets solve all three problems. Payment is confirmed in seconds, fraud protection is built in, and the merchant knows when ready whether the transaction succeeded. For this reason, online payment processors like Stripe and Square do not even offer check processing as an option.
Alternatives if a store does not accept checks
If the store you want to order from does not accept checks, you have several options. A debit card works like a credit card at checkout and draws directly from your bank account. A prepaid card can be loaded with cash and used anywhere cards are accepted. A digital wallet like PayPal or Apple Pay connects to your bank account and processes the payment electronically.
If you do not have a card or digital wallet, some stores may accept bank transfers or ACH payments (Automated Clearing House), though this is rare for retail shopping. You can also contact the store directly and ask whether they have other payment methods available that are not shown at checkout.
What to include when you mail a check for an online order
Write the check to the exact business name shown in the store's instructions. In the memo line, write your order number or customer account number — this is how the merchant matches the check to your order. Include a note with your name, email address, and phone number in case the merchant needs to contact you about the payment.
Mail the check to the address provided by the store, not to a general customer service address. Some larger retailers that accept checks have a dedicated payment processing address. Use regular mail, not a courier service, unless the store specifically requests it. Keep a record of the check number and the date you mailed it in case you need to follow up.
Do not mail cash. If the envelope is lost, you have no proof of payment and no way to recover the money. A check creates a paper trail and can be stopped if needed.
When a check payment goes wrong
If your check bounces, the merchant will contact you and ask you to send another check or use a different payment method. Your order will not ship until payment clears. If you realize you made an error on the check (wrong amount, wrong payee name), contact the merchant when ready and ask whether they have received it yet. If they have not, you can stop payment on the original check and send a corrected one.
If you mailed a check and never heard back after three weeks, contact the merchant. The check may have been lost in the mail, or the merchant may not have processed it. Ask for confirmation that they received it and when they expect to deposit it.
If the merchant cashed your check but never shipped your order, contact them in writing (email or letter) and request a refund. Keep copies of all correspondence. If the merchant does not respond, you can dispute the charge with your bank, though this is more difficult with checks than with credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay by check on Amazon or Walmart online?
No. Amazon, Walmart, Target, and virtually all major online retailers do not accept personal checks. They require credit cards, debit cards, or digital payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay. If you do not have a card, a prepaid card or debit card is your fastest option.
Is it safe to mail a check to an online store?
It is reasonably safe if you are ordering from an established business. Mail theft is uncommon, and a check can only be cashed by the business you addressed it to. However, you have less protection than with a credit card if something goes wrong. Keep a record of the check number and mailing date.
How long does it take to receive an order paid by check?
Expect 2 to 3 weeks total: 3 to 5 days for mail delivery, 1 to 5 days for the check to clear, and then processing and shipping time. This is much slower than paying by card, which ships within 1 to 2 business days.
What if I want to cancel an order I paid for by check?
Contact the merchant when ready before they deposit the check. If they have not cashed it yet, ask them to return it or destroy it. If they have already deposited it, request a refund to your bank account. Keep all written communication about the cancellation.
Can I use a business check instead of a personal check?
Yes, if the merchant accepts checks at all, they will usually accept a business check. Write it to your business name or the business name on your account. Include your order number in the memo line just as you would with a personal check.