Also, in Spreull's case, what I was referring to is having YOUR bank do a "courtesy request transaction" to see if the issued check has the funds in the account ready for payment.
If the clerk finds out from the issuing bank that there are NOT sufficient funds in the account to cover that check at that present time, she will not let you deposit it into your account, or let you attempt to cash it.
It only takes a minute, but saves hours of heartbreak frustration...
Jim