Wherein I'm not trusting

[Shengirl]

A relatively new cashier called for assistance yesterday, and my fellow FES went to help her after my timely declaration of, "Not it!" He came back after a moment, however.

CW: "Um, the answer is probably no, but this woman wants to use her sister's check."
Me: "No. Definitely no."

And I walked over to the register to take care of the situation myself, like a responsible senior FES.

SC: :: on the phone, looking pissed:: This is my sister's check. Can I use it?
Me: No, I'm sorry, you can't use other people's checks.
SC: Not even if I call her on the phone? I mean, I have all the information on there [phone number, driver's license number], and I have L with me, one of your cashiers.

I had SC-tunnelvision while I was walking over, so I didn't notice poor, silently mortified L until then. Still, didn't change a thing.

Me: :: politely:: No can do.
SC: ::deadpan sarcasm:: Well, thanks for your help.
Me: Sorry, it's store policy.

And I walked away from Miss Passive-Aggresive. I realize now I didn't even check her ID to see if the addresses matched. I might've let it slide then, especially with L accompanying her. But with the look on her face and the "I'm surrounded by unreasonable and stupid people" tone she took, I had absolutely no desire to help her. Besides, if her niece is a cashier here, she should know better! I'm sure L told her it wouldn't work beforehand, even as timid as she is. Seriously, taking a check that's not yours, just trusting that the owner approves and that the license number on it is accurate? Come on.

L did come by later, though, to get a refund for something. She said, "Yeah, I'm sorry my aunt's a bitch."

[BookstoreEscapee]

I used to use my mom's check at the grocery store on occasion (she would write it out and I would just fill in the amount) but that was when they required you to have their store card to use a check at all**, and since I had that card, my license, and my mom and I have the same name and address, I never had a problem.

**do they still do that? I haven't written a check in a store in years!

[Shengirl]

but that was when they required you to have their store card to use a check at all**,

**do they still do that? I haven't written a check in a store in years!

No we do not. The fact is, store cards are only personalized in a way we can't see - any card could have been picked up off the curb for all I know. People also aren't required to give any important information when applying for one, so it's useless in regards to checks.

Not that I haven't gotten screamed at because of it. I was training an obviously new cashier (white shirt, wide-eyed look), and an old, angry man wanted to write a check. He belligerently refused to show his license, at which point I took over for my frightened protege.

Me: "Sir, we need to put your license number on the check."
SC: "That's what I got the card fer!"
Me: "That doesn't store any personal information, sir..."

Repeat until he gets pissed and leaves without his groceries. Then, two minutes later, he returned.

"I forgot something!" He threw his MVP card dramatically onto my register, spun around, and stalked out. I burst out laughing.

[BookstoreEscapee]

No we do not. The fact is, store cards are only personalized in a way we can't see - any card could have been picked up off the curb for all I know. People also aren't required to give any important information when applying for one, so it's useless in regards to checks.

Yeah, this was an actual check-cashing card. If you wanted to use a check, you had to go to CS and get one. I was in high school/college then.

Now I just take her credit card if I'm shopping for her. Since I run it myself anyway, and the cashier never touches it, I don't have a problem. If they did tell me I couldn't use her card, I would just pay with my own and get the money back from her later.