How do you deposit checks mailed to you when you're not around?

[FoBoT]

start a company and hire a person to be the person that does this job

 

[kranky]

I asked my credit union branch manager how people handle this issue. She told me that if it was for me, she would agree to receive checks mailed to her at the branch (made out to me) and deposit them in my account. That's not an official service they offer but she said if it was just a couple checks a week she'd do it as a courtesy.

The "official" answer was to contract with a bank for lockbox service which would run at least $100 a month. That's where your customers mail checks to a specific PO Box that the bank sets up on your behalf. The bank then collects the mail and processes the checks.

I was frankly surprised she made the offer to do it as a favor but I guess there can be value in sticking your nose in the branch office often enough for them to recognize you. I'm also a long time customer which might have been a factor.

I would try every other option I could think of before I would end up asking a friend to handle it.