>>>But you see, the system is rigged so that sooner or later you must slip somewhere, or they'll make it slip for you, so you become their favorite Mr Negligent Payer, the main source of their wealth.
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>>I had a client who processes electronic bank transactions (ACH). Someone there made the statement that the "perfect check" is one that bounces twice, then clears. They hit you with an NSF fee of $25 or so the first two times, then the check clears without them having to spend money on collection, which is expensive.
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>When was that, 2001? That's about the last time I heard of bounced check costing only $25 :).

An example of how far off the beaten path we are out here in the Middle-Of-Nowhere..

Our local bank will attempt to call you if you have an overdraft. If you can come in and square up the account by 3PM (there is some reason for 3PM), you're all set. I assume if you do this frequently they may handle things differently.

Of course, the local bank was bought out by a bank in the next town over the summer. That may be an invalid policy now.