Does Lowe‘s Take Checks In 2024? Everything You Need To Know

As a home improvement expert with over 10 years of experience in construction and DIY projects, I often get asked if you can pay by check at Lowe‘s. With banks now offering free checkbooks and mobile deposit, checks remain a preferred payment method for many people – especially when making large purchases.

Below I‘ll provide a detailed look at how check payments work at Lowe‘s, including policies for personal checks, what ID is required, and why checks aren‘t accepted online. My goal is to equip you with insider knowledge so you can decide if paying by check makes the most sense for your situation.

Personal Checks: The Details Lowe‘s Won‘t Tell You

Yes, you can absolutely use a personal check to pay at any Lowe‘s store. However, be prepared to show a government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the name printed on your check.

Acceptable IDs include:

State-issued driver‘s license
Passport
Military ID
Permanent resident card

Lowe‘s employees are required to verify your ID before processing the check – no exceptions. I once witnessed a customer getting frustrated when asked for ID with a personal check. Just be prepared upfront and you‘ll breeze through checkout.

Some other facts about personal check payments at Lowe‘s:

There is no maximum limit, so you can pay for large purchases like appliances. But your individual bank may set caps on check sizes.
You can split payment across multiple checks for a single transaction. Just know each check will be verified separately, potentially increasing wait times.
Out-of-state checks are fine, but again, double check your bank‘s policies on non-local checks. Some institutions temporarily limit funds on remote deposits.
According to 2019 Federal Reserve data, around 26 billion checks are still written annually in the US. So you‘re not alone if you prefer checks over cards!

Business Checks Also Accepted with Proper Credentials

In addition to personal checks, Lowe‘s gladly accepts business checks backed by company accounts. This is a great payment option if you‘re tackling a home improvement or construction project on behalf of your business.

To pay with a business check, you must provide two forms of ID that match the name of the business printed on the check. Acceptable credentials include:

Driver‘s license + official employee ID badge with photo
Business license + company credit/debit card with your name
Passport + printed articles of incorporation showing you as a member

The process of verifying business check payments is understandably more stringent, as the potential fraud risks are higher. As long as you come prepared with valid company documentation, you shouldn‘t encounter any issues.

Payroll and Cashier‘s Checks Follow Same Policies

Along with personal and business checks, Lowe‘s also welcomes payroll and cashier‘s checks. The same two-ID verification procedures apply:

Payroll Check

Must show company ID badge + photo ID matching the name printed on the payroll check stub

Cashier‘s Check

Present valid photo ID matching the "pay to" name printed on the cashier‘s check

I recommend calling ahead to verify the store has the cash on hand if you‘ll be purchasing big-ticket items like appliances with a cashier‘s check. While funds are guaranteed, stores may need to coordinate large cash deposits behind the scenes.

Why You Can‘t Write Checks for Online Orders

Many customers ask why they can‘t pay by check when ordering Lowe‘s products online. The simple answer is that checks come with inherent security risks in online transactions.

Accepting checks over the internet opens retailers up to higher chances of fraud, identity theft, and account abuse. It also creates logistical issues around verifying funds without physical IDs or signature matches.

Instead, Lowe‘s only allows credit/debit cards, PayPal, gift cards, and Lowe‘s accounts for online payments. This not only reduces risk but allows smooth, near-instant order processing.

Checks still make sense when shopping in person, but for online convenience, cards and digital wallets are the way to go.

How Lowe‘s Verifies Checks Before Accepting Payments

We‘ve established you can pay by check at Lowe‘s stores with proper ID. But how exactly does Lowe‘s confirm a check is valid before accepting it?

The answer is Certegy – a third-party verification system that Lowe‘s relies on to screen checks at checkout. When you present a check, it is scanned electronically and cross-referenced against the Certegy database in real time.

Specific factors that may cause a check to be declined include:

Insufficient account funds
Suspected fraud or forged signature
History of bounced checks
Unable to verify account ownership

If your check is rejected, Lowe‘s cashiers will not be able to tell you the exact reason why. You would need to call Certegy directly yourself to dispute any errors you believe caused your check to be denied.

When Does It Make Sense To Pay by Check at Lowe‘s?

Given the ID verification steps and Certegy scans, you may be wondering if checks are worthwhile for paying at Lowe‘s.

Here are some prime use cases where checks can be advantageous:

Making large purchases over $500: Avoid card network fees and interest charges on expensive items like appliances, furniture, or construction materials.
Lacking credit to put purchases on a card: Checks give an alternative if you don‘t qualify for enough credit to afford big-ticket Lowe‘s buys.
Tracking expenses for taxes or accounting: Business checks provide clear documentation and itemization.
Avoiding card overspending: With checks, you can only spend what‘s available in your checking account.

For small, everyday purchases, credit/debit cards or PayPal may be quicker. But for larger sums, checks are tough to beat at Lowe‘s.

Just be absolutely certain you have sufficient funds to cover the check amount before heading to the register!

The Bottom Line

Checks remain a practical payment method for significant purchases at Lowe‘s stores across the country. As long as you have valid photo ID and your account is in good standing, the checkout process with checks is straightforward.

While checks aren‘t accepted online, they provide tangible benefits when buying pricier items in-person. Just remember to bring your two forms of matching ID and be prepared for the electronic verification steps. Follow these best practices, and paying by check at Lowe‘s will be smooth sailing.