I previously mentioned how I think the new Chase ATM's around here are cool. I'm rethinking that.
I've got a big old stack of checks to deposit for Fall Affair, and after three attempts to drop them in the machine, it has either been down or working but not for check deposits. I'm annoyed. Not a great track record in terms of reliability so far. Please don't make me go into the branch. That's so 1985.
Interestingly enough, they do have a system now where you pay something up front, but get a little machine that scans the checks and "deposits" them via the wire. That only makes sense at this point. I can't remember when I stopped getting what few checks I write back. Even those I do send aren't always returned to the bank, but rather are converted to electronic transactions.
My last hold out for checks is the gas company. I don't auto-pay because I don't trust the guesstimates on usage every other month, and I just assume have the chance to challenge them if need be. And their online payment actually has a surcharge, so I don't do that either. Oh, I have to pay by check for the county sewer too, because that's the only option.
Bank of America's ATM's do the check scanning and deposits. Works pretty well here in the Washington area. Hang in there.