Who still writes checks at the grocery store? (Page 2)

 I guess in my case it helps that my wife has the direct # to the person like you at our bank.  If there are any issues, rest assured, you'd be getting a call.  Otherwise, I'd say hold onto your receipts and reconcile at the end of the month/statement cycle.

Can you not forget a check book? And now someone has up to 25 checks that they could use real quick and there is really no way to stop as apposed to calling you bank and deactivating your Debit/Credit card instantly?

I think alot of people think Checks are more secure but I believe all forms of payment are equally unsecure if you don't treat them carefully.

When I used to work at Home Depot we had people who refused to sign the little pad and wanted to sign a piece of paper.  That too me makes no since because if that paper is lost someone has your account number and see's your signature.

So it's more about inconsiderate people.........I can understand that, but seriously, how long does it really take?  My thought is if you (meaning people in general) were in that much of a hurry, you should've left 5 minutes earlier.

I'm not picking on anyone directly, but I think people need to lighten up a little......it's the same thing as honking your horn because someone didn't move immediately after the light turned green. 

People are in too much of a hurry, I too hate the horn honkers.  If you are in a hurry get your butt out the door.  I am an extremely early person and if I am even close to being late I get extremely cranky, just ask my wife.

I am sure the everyone has seen the commerical where the people are going throught the cafeteria paying with the Visa Debit card and then some guy with cash pays and everything stops.  This is probably the dumbest commercial ever as paying with cash is not any slower than paying with Debit Card.  They have since changed it to writing a check and that makes more sense but the first ones where idiotic. 

No point just saying.

interesting. lots of mixed feelings about doing things the old fashioned way. 

one of the differences is that some people stick with checks because of a feeling of safety and security. they don't factor in the convenience because they haven't sampled the grass on the "other side of the fence." 

i actually think the Visa commercials are pretty good where they've got everything humming along nicely in a store, people swiping their debit cards happily, and then somebody whips out a checkbook.  the music comes to a screeching halt and the music is interrupted.  that's more or less what happened here.  there's certainly some expectation that we should all be able to get in and out of the store pretty quickly, or they wouldn't have, in some cases, dozens of checkout lines, would they?

like kproudfoot was saying, it wouldn't be too surprising if major retail/grocery places started to eliminate the checks... not unlike TV broadcasts all going to HD soon.  They're letting people know that there's going to be some changes, and they may as well take advantage of them.

~B

Crap!

SERIOUS ADVICE FOR ALL...

I'm the Network Manager for one of the largest east-coast retail grocery chains, so I have a little knowledge regarding this.

DO NOT USE DEBIT CARDS!!!

Use credit cards and keep a simple ATM card.  Why?  Because your PIN is encoded on the debit card itself.  Ever use your debit card at a restaurant?  Did the waiter come back and ask you for your PIN number?  Nope.  Did the transaction go through?  You betcha.  How difficult is it to swipe, capture and clone a debit card?  I can do it behind my back in 2 seconds.  So when your debit card gets cloned, now the theif has access to your actual bank account.  That can get ugly and depending on your bank, may not be easy or fun to work through.

What about credit cards?  One call to the bank, the card is dead, you're not liable and a new card is issued to you in the mail which arrives a day or two later.  Getting a credit card number stolen isn't identity theft.  You simply cancel it and get a new number.

Checks?  What are those?  Haven't written one in years! 

Oh, I'll preface this with the fact that I don't go to the grocery store very often.  Usually once or twice a week.  Sometimes Eric goes, and he writes a check.

If I'm by myself, I'll write a check if I have my checkbook.  Or use my ATM/Debit card when I don't.

I think the anger you feel is more about how that woman slowed you down in your life, rather than what type of transaction she chose to do.  I mean, who cares whether she has a Debit Card?!

I'm not sure why anyone else would care whether I use Bill Pay, or mail a check.  Unless you were my accountant, or my mail carrier.  For the record, I use a mix of both.  

I treat my time in the grocery check out line as a way to practice my patience and acceptance that I can't control everything in my life.  And my "brotherly love" for the people in line around me, who are just doing their own thing.

Sometimes I'm "stuck" behind someone who's taking a longer-than-I'd-like time, and sometimes I'm the one with the problem at the register.  And more often than not, we all sail through unhindered and back to our lives and don't even make a note about it. 

I would hate to what happens when some of you are behind someone who actually takes the cashier up on the offer to save 10% by signing up for the store's credit card (whereupon they have you fill out the credit card application on the spot!)

My life is simple - AMEX for everything, pay a nice monthly itemized bill.  ATM card for $$.  Online checks / bill pay.  And the usual smattering of checks for local purchases or expenses (e.g. church tithe, paying $$ owed to a relative, etc.) 

99% of my transactions are check or cash. I don't have a cell phone. I cook from scratch. I'm 27. This is probably blowing your mind.

She was trying to be polite to you while you, some random dude, were questioning her choices, which is not that polite. It's not that it didn't register, she was ignoring you. It's not her fault that the cashier didn't know how to handle her request and had to call the manager.

(FWIW, I write out as much of my check as possible while I'm waiting in line and I don't ask for cash back.)  

None taken.

As I mentioned, it was at one time (back in the "olden days" ).

Yeah, one can forget their checkbook, but it's bigger and more bulky for me to carry and somewhat easier to grab than a credit card-sized item.  BUT, that's why there's nice cashiers/customer service persons that exist and tell me as I go out the door, "Hey, dumbazz, you want your checkbook/card?" (not really put that way)

There's pros and cons for each thing.

Well said.  We should be tolerant of all people, not just those who are distinguished by race/gender/lifestyle.

I have a different opinion...Why should we "lighten up" or "grow up"  When people are being inconciderate.  It's not like I am going postal or yelling and screaming at people in a store...and honestly, I don't care if you are writing a check, but be prepared, same thing in the situation you talk about when a light turns green...don't be on the cell phone or texting a message.  The light by my apartment lets 4 cars through, if...and its a big "if" everyone goes when the light turns green.   IF not 2 to 3 cars get through...What you are telling me if you are not prepared to drive is that my time is less important than yours (I will wait a few seconds before honking the horn tho)...Its the same thing as the people who stand in a long line at a fast food place with 5 kids in tow, and when they get up to the cashier and are asked what they want...they then start to ask the kids....Why didnt' you ask during the 5 minutes we were standing in line.  For what it is worth...It really wasn't that big of a deal...more of a minor annoyance.