barbara otieno
Review from Google · view on GoogleKelly and Tammy are great!!!!! Exceptional workers :)
CheckSmart
How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%93+59.1Reliability 28%91+25.7Replies to reviews 8%71+5.8Experts Score= 91Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.91SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#52 of 123 tax preparation servicesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 58%
4.9 ★★★★★ 480 Google reviews · 8 photos
95%five-star reviews
4.93★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0.7%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
93%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review
CheckSmart at a glance
Customers frequently praise the quick, friendly, and informative service provided by staff, noting that employees explain loan and check-cashing processes clearly. Recurring themes highlight the ease and speed of transactions for services like money orders and short-term loans. However, significant criticism exists regarding high fees and interest rates, with some reviewers describing aggressive debt collection practices, poor communication during application issues, and instances of perceived rudeness or discrimination.
- Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 480 reviews (95% five-star).
- Reviews on this page: 480 Google reviews (289 with written comments, 3 with photos).
- Owner responses: the business replied to 93% of reviews.
- Most recent review: October 24, 2026.
- Service: Tax Preparation Service serving Newark, Ohio.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Score profile vs other tax preparation services
Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.CheckSmart: 93/100 on this factor. Category median: 91.A
93
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.CheckSmart: 91/100 on this factor. Category median: 88.A
91
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 99.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.CheckSmart: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.CheckSmart: 71/100 on this factor. Category median: 58.B
71
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
480 Google reviews we collected
- 5 stars45695%
- 4 stars102%
- 3 stars41%
- 2 stars00%
- 1 star102%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 289 written reviews
- Praise29897%
- Complaints83%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
- Staff & attitude16654%
- Speed & response5819%
- Quality & results3511%
- Would recommend3311%
- Communication93%
- Honesty & trust31%
- Price & value21%
What customers talk about
We read 289 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Very great place always helpful for cashing checks!”
“Went in just the other day, service was incredibly quick and accurate.”
“Great service and very friendly, I highly recommend this place for your loans and checking needs.”
“The attitude of these people is horrible racial discrimination and lack of updating with documents.”
“Quick, easy and super kind and understanding and I loved how they was so quick and understanding to help me out and I definitely recommend for sure!”
“First time doing this and she was very helpful and explaining!”
“nikki and tammy were very nice they were very reliable.”
“This company a BIG rippoff and I am pretty sure that they are charging interest rates which are not ethical.”
People customers mention
- Kelly 16 reviews
- Niki 8 reviews
- Tammy 6 reviews
- Heath 6 reviews
- Debbie 5 reviews
- Tami 3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
Tyler1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★
Went in just the other day, service was incredibly quick and accurate. Shoutout to Kelly who made this possible! 💪
Nomad3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Quick, easy and super kind and understanding and I loved how they was so quick and understanding to help me out and I definitely recommend for sure!
Josh6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
The manager Kelly was great! Great service and very friendly, I highly recommend this place for your loans and checking needs.
ShaneLocal Guide · 47 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
I stopped in to be helped with a short term loan. Tammy was able to assist me! She's an amazing person with excellent customer service. Thank you again Tammy for walking me through the process! You made it a very smooth and simple process. Again thank you Tammy for helping me out!
Garwin4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★
Pretty Niki was very helpful and worked hard to make sure I'd walk out with my money. Thanks again Niki!!!!
Haley1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Amazing manager she was so lovely and sweet and understood what we were going through:)
Photos
Customer reviews
4.9 ★★★★★ 480 reviews on Google · rating breakdown
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
ricky mitchell
Review from Google · view on GoogleNiki was super informative with the whole process,thanks again!
Stephanie Frye1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Stephanie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleKelly was amazing ! In and out service !!
Matt Buchanan2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Matt has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleAwesome customer service. Extremely helpful
Response from the owner · 3 days ago
Thanks,Matt! We are greatful to have you as a valued customer at CheckSmart.
Dana RobertsLocal Guide · 4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Dana has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleTammy was very informative of all the services offered at this location.
Response from the owner · 4 days ago
Your feedback is highly valued, Dana! Thanks for sharing.
Kaydin Lynne4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Kaydin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleExceptional work, Tammy is great!!!
Response from the owner · 4 days ago
Thanks for choosing CheckSmart! We appreciate you.
Lilly Quinn3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Lilly has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleTammy was a great help! Very informative and helped me with my money order.
Response from the owner · 4 days ago
Thanks for choosing CheckSmart! We appreciate you.
jazz lecuyer2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews jazz has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleVery great place always helpful for cashing checks!
Response from the owner · 4 days ago
Thanks for choosing CheckSmart! We appreciate you.
Tyler Black1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Tyler has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleWent in just the other day, service was incredibly quick and accurate. Shoutout to Kelly who made this possible! 💪
Response from the owner · a week ago
We are delighted to hear you had a pleasant experience, [Tyler!
Presley Sternberg4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Presley has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on GoogleTammy was very friendly and helpful. shes a sweetheart to work with
Response from the owner · a week ago
We’re so glad you enjoyed your time at your localCheckSmart!
Business details
- Address: 801 Hebron Rd, Heath, OH 43056
- Phone: (740) 788-8631
- Website: checksmart.com
- Service area: Newark, OH