Do you have a cheque book? I don't. I haven't a written a cheque to anyone for years.

Thankfully I'm not exhibiting at a Wizard World Comic Con this year.

Last night, exhibitors, vendors, artists at upcoming shows were told that, effectively immediately, they would not longer be able to pay for their tables or booth space with credit cards. Instead, Wizard World would only take cheques, mailed to Wizard World seven days before the first day of loading in at a show. And that any cheques received after that date would be returned.

Which would give time for all cheques to be cleared.

For those who have not paid, Wizard World would take a bank or cashier's cheque, or cash, at the show. No personal checks will be accepted on-site.

I asked Wizard representatives for further explanation yesterday and was told "We are streamlining the process by bringing all of the accounting for our exhibitors, artists and sponsors in house and no longer using a third party to process payments."

Credit cards would indeed involve a third party, and the fees that accompany them. There can also be restrictions regarding pre-paying for goods that may have proved restrictive. And cleared or guaranteed cheques ahead of a show give the organisers confidence, and help with cash flow. But credit cards give those who pay with them their own financial confidence, with easy refunds and the like if, say, the show were to go under.

Without their availability, and with an insistence on cleared cheques, it's the confidence of exhibitors, vendors or artists in the shown that might take a knock instead.