Anyone still write checks at the grocery store?

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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,436
9,957
126
Huh?? My checks have a carbon underneath that automatically makes a copy when you write the check, plus you can look up all your checks on-line through the bank or credit union. How is that any harder to keep track of than a money order? Seems just the opposite to me, i.e. easier to track than a money order. Plus if the payee loses the payment, the bank can immediately verify that it was paid. Only advantage I see to a money order is that the payee is assured it is valid (I guess, are there fake money orders?), and it is a one time thing, not like a checkbook that you can lose. But in over 30 years of having a checking account, I have never lost a checkbook.
This. A money order is just like cash, and I can be done with the whole transaction. No accounting, no checking balances, no dealing with delayed cashing... I'm done with the deal. For the literal couple times a year I need a check like thing, it's worth the trivial expense of buying a money order. I prefer using cash when possible.
 

DietDrThunder

Platinum Member
Apr 6, 2001
2,262
326
126
Don't you hate receiving checks in the mail as well? I received what I thought was a scam letter in the mail from a company I never heard of that wanted my banking info to do direct deposit. I shredded that piece of mail. Then I found out the next month that they bought the natural gas drilling site in which I get my royalties every month. Now I'm a partial owner of 9 wells instead of 7. So when I go to the bank I cash the check and ask for $2 bills.
 

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,236
4,829
136
Seriously, the little old ladies wait until their groceries are completely rung up then they dig in their purse for their checkbook and pen, take forever to write their check then they put everything back in their purse and fiddle fart around for five minutes before they move their buggy. All in the span of 15 minutes.

Seriously, I'm a little old lady who waited in the checkout line yesterday behind a man who, after all his purchases were rung up, dug in his tight back pocket (those skinny jeans, doncha know) until he could bring out his wallet. Then he searched around for the card he wanted to use, swiped it, entered the pin - incorrectly - twice - before finally completing his purchase. If I wrote checks I could have gotten a couple done during the time it took him to finish.

I actually get held up more by things like that than by people writing checks. Six of one, half dozen of another - it's a delay either way. Annoying, but not worth more than a good eyeroll when it happens. :rolleyes: :D
 

Jon-T

Senior member
Jun 5, 2011
526
333
136
I saw one of the slowest transactions ever a short while ago, and it wasn't some 80 year old.

This young fella swiped his card and it came back insufficient funds. So the young fella then pulled out his smart phone logged onto his bank account and played around transferring funds from one account to another. When he was finally done he says "wow ain't modern technology amazing" No, it isn't. While I have never written a check in the grocery store I'm sure I could have done it in less time that his e transfer.

Done properly a check dosn't take that much time. Sign your name, hand it to the cashier she puts it in the register and the register prints all the information on the check while you record amount in the ledger.

What most people are complaining about is the person who is in the final stages of their life and isn't as sharp as they once were.
 

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,560
3,739
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Drako

Lifer
Jun 9, 2007
10,697
161
106
The only thing more annoying is getting in line behind people using SNAP stamps.
 

ctbaars

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2009
1,565
160
106
How about getting in line behind a SNAP person. They come up short. And then ask you for a money.
I'm all for SNAP and if they have some money, a little semblance of luxury, I think is important too for a persons well being. But I think it's really rude to beg in the line. It must work sometimes.
Edit: I'm glad this thread is not in the P&N section.
 

Drako

Lifer
Jun 9, 2007
10,697
161
106
They've switched to a debit card here but I remember the coupon books that they would use....pita.

Yes, for the most part, but I was in a store on Saturday, and a woman was still using the coupon books. I thought they had completely gone away from those as well but apparently not.

Also, I've gotten in line were someone had about 20 items, and 3 of the items don't qualify for SNAP, so they have to unscan those items, and then rescan to pay with a non-SNAP card or cash, or a check.
 

Darwin333

Lifer
Dec 11, 2006
19,946
2,329
126
Hell no. The only checks I write are to contractors and that is only because they aren't set up to take funds electronically. Why the hell would I bother carrying a checkbook around?

My mother otoh god she loves her checks. She will write a check in every damn store she goes to but at least she is usually prepared and just has to fill in the total by the time everything is rung (is this the right word?) up.
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,344
32,894
136
Same with credit cards, debit cards and cash too. Standing in line checking out and it doesn't dawn on people that they're going to have to use some form of payment at the end of it all.
That's me at the end of a long field season. On field assignments at remote locations everything is furnished: breakfast, lunch, and dinner; basically corporate communism. Need lunch? Go grab a lunch bag from the cooler. So driving home I stop at a convenience store, get up to the counter with my would be purchases, and stand there with both thumbs up my butt trying to remember where my wallet is.
 
May 11, 2008
22,233
1,417
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I never used a check in my life. I have always either transferred money, paid in cash or paid electronically.
 

Newbian

Lifer
Aug 24, 2008
24,779
882
126
Edit: To be fair to Mom, she does pre-fill the check out, minus the amount, in the car before she goes into the store.

Check to see if the grocery store can print everything except signature obviously.

A lot of the registers can do that now and it does help speed things up.
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,899
3,863
136
Had to wait behind this inconsiderate person who wrote a check (I think thats spelled cheq^@ue for you Canadians) for her groceries. This person wasted entire seconds of my life. Entire! Seconds!

I thought it was spelled 'Samsung Pay'?
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,227
4,932
136
This. A money order is just like cash, and I can be done with the whole transaction. No accounting, no checking balances, no dealing with delayed cashing... I'm done with the deal. For the literal couple times a year I need a check like thing, it's worth the trivial expense of buying a money order. I prefer using cash when possible.

One thing a postal money order come up way short. If it gets lost in the mail the post office requires a 30 day wait before they will refund your money. I used to use them for car payments years ago and found this out the hard way.
 
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
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Be glad that wasn’t my wife...not only does she occasionally write checks...but she would have to dig through her suitcase...I mean purse for coupons...and if they're expired...for other ones...and if they’refor a different brand than what she bought...she’ll argue with the cashier...ask for the manager...and keep looking for other coupons...

Da Fuq is wrong with you both?

1) Debit cards are a dime-a-dozen. Every bank hands you one for every bank account you own.
2) My grocery store (H-E-B) isn't even a mainstream national chain (Kroger I guess?) - and they still have digital coupons. All I do is go on their app and they show me like 1,000 coupons (no exaggeration) and I select ones I want. I wrote a script to just select them all and then I just buy like normal without even worrying if there is a coupon or not.
3) Credit cards > *
 
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
146
How about getting in line behind a SNAP person. They come up short. And then ask you for a money.
I'm all for SNAP and if they have some money, a little semblance of luxury, I think is important too for a persons well being. But I think it's really rude to beg in the line. It must work sometimes.
Edit: I'm glad this thread is not in the P&N section.

Just as bad as a fattie behind me last week that asked to cut in front of me. I didn't even have a an abundance of items or anything.

Some people really just hold no shame in being dependent upon others.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,938
14,332
146
Da Fuq is wrong with you both?

1) Debit cards are a dime-a-dozen. Every bank hands you one for every bank account you own.
2) My grocery store (H-E-B) isn't even a mainstream national chain (Kroger I guess?) - and they still have digital coupons. All I do is go on their app and they show me like 1,000 coupons (no exaggeration) and I select ones I want. I wrote a script to just select them all and then I just buy like normal without even worrying if there is a coupon or not.
3) Credit cards > *

Hell, we have debit cards and credit cards...she likes writing checks...and coupons are like hunting for deals for her...she uses electronic coupons and paper coupons...then tries to get the store to honor both kinds on the same item... :p
 

Newbian

Lifer
Aug 24, 2008
24,779
882
126
Hell, we have debit cards and credit cards...she likes writing checks...and coupons are like hunting for deals for her...she uses electronic coupons and paper coupons...then tries to get the store to honor both kinds on the same item... :p
Get a divorce now!
 

Lanyap

Elite Member
Dec 23, 2000
8,259
2,354
136
Seriously, I'm a little old lady who waited in the checkout line yesterday behind a man who, after all his purchases were rung up, dug in his tight back pocket (those skinny jeans, doncha know) until he could bring out his wallet. Then he searched around for the card he wanted to use, swiped it, entered the pin - incorrectly - twice - before finally completing his purchase. If I wrote checks I could have gotten a couple done during the time it took him to finish.

I actually get held up more by things like that than by people writing checks. Six of one, half dozen of another - it's a delay either way. Annoying, but not worth more than a good eyeroll when it happens. :rolleyes: :D


Touche! :p How about the people at Walmart who pull out 5 different gift cards to pay and only two of them work but they keep swiping the bad cards. LOL.
 

Lanyap

Elite Member
Dec 23, 2000
8,259
2,354
136
Yes, I use checks at the grocery store. I do usually pre-fill the information as I'm waiting in line.



My Gawd, man, use a rewards credit card or at least a debit card. Just be sure you remember your PIN so I don’t have to wait in line! :p
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,938
14,332
146
It is way too late at this point. She probably has him clipping her paper coupons for her.

Nah...fuck that...but I do collect them from various places and give them to her...I FEED her addiction. :p (because even though it might cost me some time in the line, it saves a bit of money. Hell, she used to be able to save $300-$400 per month by couponing and price matching when we lived in CA.