[casita37]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken

That's clever! Love a sense of humor.

[jblum315]

My worst experience was standing in line at Joann, where the customer ahead of me took a sandwich out of her bag, unwrapped it, ate it, then unwrapped and ate a candy bar, folded the wrappings and put them back in her bag and then finally left the store. I'm like WTF is going on?

[Happinow]

As for the checkbooks.......where I used to live, we wrote checks just about every time we went to the grocery store, the clothing store and any other store we visited. Once we wrote the first check at the grocery store, they had our info on file and we breezed right through even faster than swiping a credit card. Since living here, I've noticed that they seem to make it much more inconvenient to write checks. They have to take your license each time which In Turn holds up the line, making for some frustrated customers behind you. After writing only two checks at Publix, I decided it wasn't worth the time and wait to complete the transaction this way. Perhaps they should take a look at making it easier for customers to write checks. I personally know if the store implements different means of accepting the check then it will be more customer friendly.

[casita37]

Originally Posted by Happinow

As for the checkbooks.......where I used to live, we wrote checks just about every time we went to the grocery store, the clothing store and any other store we visited. Once we wrote the first check at the grocery store, they had our info on file and we breezed right through even faster than swiping a credit card. Since living here, I've noticed that they seem to make it much more inconvenient to write checks. They have to take your license each time which In Turn holds up the line, making for some frustrated customers behind you. After writing only two checks at Publix, I decided it wasn't worth the time and wait to complete the transaction this way. Perhaps they should take a look at making it easier for customers to write checks. I personally know if the store implements different means of accepting the check then it will be more customer friendly.

I think most stores are moving away from checks because their customers are moving away from checks. No idea about percentages, but I'm sure it's a high number of people using credit cards and debit cards.....probably over 90%. I bet it won't be too many years before there aren't even checks, at all.

[casita37]

Originally Posted by jblum315

My worst experience was standing in line at Joann, where the customer ahead of me took a sandwich out of her bag, unwrapped it, ate it, then unwrapped and ate a candy bar, folded the wrappings and put them back in her bag and then finally left the store. I'm like WTF is going on?

Low blood sugar, maybe?? That must have been a long line for her to get through a sandwich and candy bar. Could be the time just slipped up on her, but I can see how that would have been a little odd. I often have something in my purse, and if I feel my sugar getting too low, I will sneak a bite or two, as discreetly as possible.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by Happinow

As for the checkbooks.......where I used to live, we wrote checks just about every time we went to the grocery store, the clothing store and any other store we visited. Once we wrote the first check at the grocery store, they had our info on file and we breezed right through even faster than swiping a credit card. Since living here, I've noticed that they seem to make it much more inconvenient to write checks. They have to take your license each time which In Turn holds up the line, making for some frustrated customers behind you. After writing only two checks at Publix, I decided it wasn't worth the time and wait to complete the transaction this way. Perhaps they should take a look at making it easier for customers to write checks. I personally know if the store implements different means of accepting the check then it will be more customer friendly.

Where we're from (midwest) it was always a problem of copying ID/Drivers license numbers or store check-cashing card numbers when fiddling around with checks, and that is why Debit cards took hold so quickly and efficiently.

With debit card, the money is instantly taken out of the checking account, and by running it as "credit" thru the system, you have the protection of Mastercard or Visa against fraudulent use.

With debit and PIN number, or debit run as signed credit, there is no need to write checks and have cashiers fiddling around with hand copying ID numbers.

And about "people in a hurry" and "what's the hurry?".......Most of us have been working the last 40-50 years in jobs that required productivity and customer service, which means working fast and efficiently as well as courteously.

I think it's not that we're "in a hurry" so much as it is our awareness of productivity as employees or business managers/owners during decades of work, supervising employees, and ownership.

[Parker]

Oh yeah, the people (mostly women) who wait until the total rings up to slowly pull out their checkbook DRIVE ME CRAZY. Do they not anticipate that a check will be written at the end of the ringing-up process? I write my check while I'm waiting in line, leaving only the amount to be filled in. Of course, most of us don't write checks anymore anyway.

And yes, I am a woman too. I much prefer to get behind a man in line as they are much faster, unless they start pulling out the change...

[salpal]

The other thing: Ladies who must put everything back in their purse and organize themselves after they have paid, holding up the next customer. They do not think to just move to the side somewhere and "organize" themselves away from the line.

Okay, off my chest. Have a great day!

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by Parker

Oh yeah, the people (mostly women) who wait until the total rings up to slowly pull out their checkbook DRIVE ME CRAZY. Do they not anticipate that a check will be written at the end of the ringing-up process? I write my check while I'm waiting in line, leaving only the amount to be filled in. Of course, most of us don't write checks anymore anyway.

And yes, I am a woman too. I much prefer to get behind a man in line as they are much faster, unless they start pulling out the change...

Writing checks in the first place is hard for the clerk depending on the store policy and holds up everything, unless it is big ticket in which case there wouldn't be a line anyway. Cash or charge is my motto.

[asianthree]

lets not forget is was debit and charge cards that got us all new cards because of target...

[kbace6]

In this same vein of thinking. It drives me crazy when I am in line at someplace like a restaurant or an auto parts store and then the phone rings and they disregard the folks in line to give the person on the phone preference. Is it me? HELLO I'm standing right here! I AM a customer and I'm right in front of you! Not a potential customer who is likely price shopping or checking reservation times.

It just drives me NUTZ.

[casita37]

Originally Posted by kbace6

In this same vein of thinking. It drives me crazy when I am in line at someplace like a restaurant or an auto parts store and then the phone rings and they disregard the folks in line to give the person on the phone preference. Is it me? HELLO I'm standing right here! I AM a customer and I'm right in front of you! Not a potential customer who is likely price shopping or checking reservation times.

It just drives me NUTZ.

There is a reason for that. The person on the phone can't see what's going on. The customer at the counter can, plus the ringing of the phone is annoying, as you try to finish up your business. Not saying the clerk should stop dealing with you and complete their business with the phone caller, but they do need to answer the phone and either ask the person to hold, transfer them to another dept. or take a number to call back.

Also, one should never answer the phone with "Can you hold please?" That is extremely annoying and inefficient. Depending on the business, often it just as easy to transfer the call and be done with it. If they do need to talk to the person who answered the phone, again....ask them THEN if they can hold.

I just love all these little pet peeves we're getting off our chests.....LOL It might just stop us from actually being snappish or offensive in the real situation!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by asianthree

lets not forget is was debit and charge cards that got us all new cards because of target...

Yes, but you have better fraud protection with a credit card than you do with a debit card and especially a check, which when you write one puts your name address, bank account number and bank routing number out there for many people to see.

I would much rather deal with a cc company after a fraudulent purchase to get my money back than a bank after someone has wiped out my account.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by casita37

There is a reason for that. The person on the phone can't see what's going on. The customer at the counter can, plus the ringing of the phone is annoying, as you try to finish up your business. Not saying the clerk should stop dealing with you and complete their business with the phone caller, but they do need to answer the phone and either ask the person to hold, transfer them to another dept. or take a number to call back.

Also, one should never answer the phone with "Can you hold please?" That is extremely annoying and inefficient. Depending on the business, often it just as easy to transfer the call and be done with it. If they do need to talk to the person who answered the phone, again....ask them THEN if they can hold.

I just love all these little pet peeves we're getting off our chests.....LOL It might just stop us from actually being snappish or offensive in the real situation!

I dunno about it improving our collective humor, kiddo. This cold damp weather is gettin' to me. I don't want any more "snow" days. I could just bite. It IS good to vent, but I have just done more today than I usually do.


I am so glad we have this place and this forum. We are a spicy bunch, aren't we?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by casita37

There is a reason for that. The person on the phone can't see what's going on. The customer at the counter can, plus the ringing of the phone is annoying, as you try to finish up your business. Not saying the clerk should stop dealing with you and complete their business with the phone caller, but they do need to answer the phone and either ask the person to hold, transfer them to another dept. or take a number to call back.

Also, one should never answer the phone with "Can you hold please?" That is extremely annoying and inefficient. Depending on the business, often it just as easy to transfer the call and be done with it. If they do need to talk to the person who answered the phone, again....ask them THEN if they can hold.

I just love all these little pet peeves we're getting off our chests.....LOL It might just stop us from actually being snappish or offensive in the real situation!

I agree! Let us all rant so we won't come home from the store and yell at the poor dog!