You were warned

[iron2004]

One night, I'm working at my supermarket as a cashier on the register next to the customer service desk phone when it rings. On the phone is a gentleman who tells me he just opened an account at a local bank, but does not yet have a debit card. He does, however, have checks, and a bank employee told him that our store gives cash back on checks. This cues my inner uh-oh because, if it's a new account, then they're probably starter checks, which we do not accept.

So I ask him if the checks he has are starter checks, and he tells me no, they are regular checks. I think to myself, 'gee, you have a new bank account, no debit card, but already have regular checks? Okay'. I say to him, if they are not starter checks (intentionally, so there could be no misunderstanding) he can indeed get cash back. We end the conversation and I go about my business.

Minutes later, he's there kids in tow. I direct him to my station and he asks me for two packs of cigarettes. I get them out of the cabinet, walk back to the register and I see the checks--

(Inner eyeroll, inner sigh, inner 'here we go' because I'm sure you've guessed)

Starter checks.

I tell him we cannot take the checks because his information is not printed on them. He tells me he'll write it on the check he is going to use, which is beside the point. Even if he wrote his actual information on the damn thing, there is no guarantee the check comes from his account, and that's if he's telling the truth about having an account. This is why we don't take them in the first place. He also explains that they are not starter checks because, I kid you not, there is a printed background on the front of the check. Fortunately, my manager is there and it takes the two of us about five times explaining that we won't take the check for it to sink in.

He leaves telling his kids, after attempting to buy no food whatsoever in a grocery store, that they will have to buy food somewhere else.

I google starter checks and refresh myself on my check policy to reassure myself, and am gratified to find that I am correct on both counts. I alert my front end manager so they are aware should it come to their attention, and explain to my fellow cashiers, and am left shaking my head.

Bonus check story

There is another gentleman that comes in to my store always trying to cash a check. He'll try to buy a pack of cigarettes and get cash back. His check is always declined. Always. When a check is declined, we provide the person with a phone number they can call to get information about their check being declined and maybe obtain a resolution. Anyway, one fine day, he tried to circumvent this cycle by going to our manager and asking him to 'guarantee' that his check would go through before he attempted a transaction. He was, of course, denied. He tries a purchase and no surprise, another declined check so he leaves.

He comes back later and goes to another manager, the same from the first story. This time he wants us to cash his check without running it through a register. He was, of course, denied. It is explained that every check must be processed through a register so he leaves.

He comes back and deals with me, and like usual, we try and no luck so he leaves muttering something about going to his bank. He comes back in several days later and, joy of joys, he has cash! So he finally gets his smokes and whatever else he needs.

I was told, later, by a co-worker that the guy has memory issues which may explain his constant attempts even after so many failures. However, my sympathy is greatly reduced knowing that he remembered enough to illicitly get around his check issues, and I shake my head again

[Pixilated]

I never cease to be amazed at the number of retail places that still accept cheques. I live in a mid-sized city in Ontario (Canada) and I don't think anyplace here accepts cheques. I work for a large chain grocery store and I am quite sure we don't. Cash or plastic, that's it.

[Monterey Jack]

Writing a check in 2024 amazes me.

[csquared]

People who write checks in a store, fall into one of three categories.

1. They are over 80 years old.
2. They are paranoid of digital finance surveillance.
3. They don't have the money to cover it.

[RealUnimportant]

2. They are paranoid of digital finance surveillance.

So instead of using the card which can be traced back through complex electronic means, they give you a piece of paper with their name and address printed in the corner to maintain some form of anonymity. Clever innit?

[csquared]

So instead of using the card which can be traced back through complex electronic means, they give you a piece of paper with their name and address printed in the corner to maintain some form of anonymity. Clever innit?

Which is DIGITIZED and sent to the FEDERAL RESERVE. All while they are on their CELLPHONE complaining about you.
I never said that they were smart.

[workerbee222]

I never cease to be amazed at the number of retail places that still accept cheques. I live in a mid-sized city in Ontario (Canada) and I don't think anyplace here accepts cheques. I work for a large chain grocery store and I am quite sure we don't. Cash or plastic, that's it.

Several local tradespeople take checks because debit cards incur a charge. My property taxes, the furnace guy, the man one mile away who maintains my car, the fellow that prepares my taxes all accept checks. The town clerk will accept a debit card for a 3.5% surcharge.

I'm old, so I remember asking my husband who worked in a bank what would happen as people shifted from paper checks to debit cards. He said, People will be embarrassed in person instead of getting an overdraft notice at home.

[taxguykarl]

1. They are over 80 years old.
2. They are paranoid of digital finance surveillance.
3. They don't have the money to cover it.

4. They need the documentation for whatever reason.

[Kristev]

Writing checks only stopped seeming normal because cards became popular. But archaic doesn't mean wrong.

[EricKei]

Businesses still like to use checks because it's clear documentation...and because mailing a payment by check means that the money will stay in the company bank account for another week or so, still earning interest.

[Dreamstalker]

People will be embarrassed in person instead of getting an overdraft notice at home.

Not only are they embarrassed in person, but they have a chance to blame everyone else (whether that chance works or not is still up for debate).