Once we have a bank account, then we can start accepting some of these other options. Until then, I think that just accepting cheques is the best approach. My apologies to those that don't have them. I thought that they were pretty standard from 16+, and people younger than that can normally get their parents to write one, or am I showing my age?
Cheques constitute a credit facility, I believe, so you need a certain level of credit worthiness to get one (which may make it 18+, for a start). Also, since cheques are becoming used less and less I guess some people just don't bother to get one any more. (I, however, do have a chequebook and will be posting my application in the next couple of days.)