Two in One

[Pixi_kitty]

As a general rule, I don't mind checks. They take a little longer, but when you consider most people don't understand how to check out efficiently, it's not that big of a deal. But, of course, there are sucky and non-sucky ways to write checks. Obviously, this was one of the sucky ones.

So I ring up everything and give her the total. Only then does she start to dig in her purse for her checkbook. And of course she doesn't have a pen. What store is this? How do you spell that? One e or two? What's the date? What was the total again? 20.26?

She decides to write the check for $20 and give me the change. Out comes the giant, Mary Poppins type purse. At the very bottom is her change purse. She counts out 26 pennies, one at a time. And then, in a last ditch effort to be considerate, she stacks them in groups of 5. Finally, I get to process the check and put move on. But first, she needs to examine the receipt, one line at a time, at the register, with a line behind her. Eventually, I just walked to the next register and started ringing out others.

But there you go, got a sucky check writer and a sucky change counter in one go.

[prjkt]

Don't forget the sucky receipt interrogator too, that's a hat-trick right there

[emax4]

I think I would have waited until I got everyone out too, then waited an extra 30 seconds for the register to "cool off". I've had to put others items aside when they're too busy, but most of them are cool with it. I had a guy today leave my register to do a price check, even after I told him to wait there and not go anywhere. So I just voided the order, rang up the next three customers and made him wait in line again.

[Estil]

So I ring up everything and give her the total. Only then does she start to dig in her purse for her checkbook. And of course she doesn't have a pen. What store is this? How do you spell that? One e or two? What's the date? What was the total again? 20.26?

And what does she expect to write the check with, blood? On a related note my store tried several times to have the pens chained to the desk (isn't it cute how banks have the pens chained to the desk but leave the vault door wide open? ) but that doesn't work because the pens of course run out and they weren't the kind you could just reload...so they just end up getting ripped off the counter out of the way.

What store is this? It's in big bold letters out front...probably on the clerk's name tag...probably on the bags...probably on the weekly ad...

How do spell that? One e or two? That does have any e's.

What's the date and total? Both are on my screen silly!

Here's her sign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5ZkdHImCuQ

[sirwired]

I cannot understand why people still use checks at grocery stores. I can understand being paranoid about "swipe-debit" cards, and most people don't like to carry around lots of cash. If that's the case, and you cannot get a credit card that you pay in full every month, most banks will still issue an ATM card on request, and most retail stores accept those.

Since "Check 21" took effect years ago, you can't "play the float" any more at most large chains, so that benefit's gone.

[drjonah]

It's always my luck when I go to awful-mart that I get stuck in line behind the person (usually of the elderly persuasion) who insists on filling the check out even though the register fills it out and you get the check back!

My other favorite are the ones who argue with the cashier when they ask for a phone number. "But it's already on the check!" and don't seem to comprehend that the check is currently upside down and locked in the check reader and the cashier can't "Just look at the check"

[Trixie]

Our stores switched over to doing the checks electronically and it does save time. Usually takes about the same amount of time of the serial card swipers. We get a lot of older people in our store who still use checks and they insist on filling everything out. I don't have a problem if they want to write the store name and amount because we do give the check back to them but why sign it? I guess that's a hard habit to break.

[MelindaJoy77]

I've tried in the past to let people know that they don't have to fill out the check but nine times out of ten they either ignore me or it takes even longer for me to explain to them why they don't have to fill it out. I also can understand elderly folks still preferring to write a check at the grocery store but when anyone under 50 does this I'm a little perturbed. I don't even take my checkbook with me anywhere anymore. The only time I write checks is for the few bills that I still prefer to plunk in the mail. The other thing that gets me is that some people will even stand there and write out the total and balance their checkbook while holding up the line. Maybe I'm just way too organized, but that's what the receipt is for. On a shopping or bill paying day, I stash all my debit card receipts in the same section of my wallet and when I get home I pull them out and balance my checkbook. I can't stand it when people hold up the line so I try not to be that person myself.

[XCashier]

What store is this? It's in big bold letters out front...probably on the clerk's name tag...probably on the bags...probably on the weekly ad...

How do spell that? One e or two? That does have any e's.

What's the date and total? Both are on my screen silly!

It makes me wonder if that kind of stupidity isn't deliberate. Some sort of passive-aggressive way of getting back at the store because the customer doesn't like the prices?

Quite frankly, if this stupidity is genuine and not a sham, it makes me for the future of the human race.

[ComputerNecromancer]

I cannot understand why people still use checks at grocery stores. I can understand being paranoid about "swipe-debit" cards, and most people don't like to carry around lots of cash. If that's the case, and you cannot get a credit card that you pay in full every month, most banks will still issue an ATM card on request, and most retail stores accept those.

Huh? By *definition* ATM cards *only* work at ATMs (or the bank).

If it can be run through the card reader at a checkout, it's a debit card, not an ATM card.

[sirwired]

Huh? By *definition* ATM cards *only* work at ATMs (or the bank).

If it can be run through the card reader at a checkout, it's a debit card, not an ATM card.

I have yet to see an ATM card that cannot be run as PIN-debit at a register; they use the same transaction networks.

[Geek King]

I have yet to see an ATM card that cannot be run as PIN-debit at a register; they use the same transaction networks.

I have one. I specifically asked for it not to have the Visa or AmMex logo and debit capabilities on it to minimize the chance it can be used to empty my bank account if it should be stolen. You can only use it at an ATM with the PIN.

[mhkohne]

I have one. I specifically asked for it not to have the Visa or AmMex logo and debit capabilities on it to minimize the chance it can be used to empty my bank account if it should be stolen. You can only use it at an ATM with the PIN.

Have you tried it in a store? There's a completely separate set of processors that can be used for debit transactions (modulo your bank's participation). If it works at ATMs not belonging to your bank, I bet it works (requiring PIN of course) in store.

[sirwired]

I have one. I specifically asked for it not to have the Visa or AmMex logo and debit capabilities on it to minimize the chance it can be used to empty my bank account if it should be stolen. You can only use it at an ATM with the PIN.

Try it. This is why most stores have a PIN pad. No Visa/MC logo required (mine doesn't have one; I use it at stores all the time) Most grocery stores will even allow you to get a limited amount of cash back, which saves you a trip to the ATM.

[Geek King]

Try it. This is why most stores have a PIN pad. No Visa/MC logo required (mine doesn't have one; I use it at stores all the time) Most grocery stores will even allow you to get a limited amount of cash back, which saves you a trip to the ATM.

I have a credit card for purchases. I literally only need the ATM card for getting cash from the ATM. I plan far enough ahead to carry cash if I need it, or to replenish what I keep on me for the few places I go that don't take plastic.

If the ATM card can still be used at a store, well, I can live with that as long as it still requires the PIN to be attempted. I can't confirm or deny that it could be used at other ATMs, as I haven't tried it.