Pandow77: Does your husband have overdraft protection with his business account, or a line of credit, for the time period of waiting for checks to go through?

PANDOW77, IF YOUR HUSBAND HAS A BUSINESS ACCOUNT, HE SHOULD REQUEST OVERDRAFT PROTECTION.

I went to Woodman's today and did my weekly shopping.My cart as always was filled to the top,not one person behind me gave me a nasty look or sign as the cashier rang my order and politly gave me my total of $319.17 .I wrote my CHECK got my receipt and waited for the bagger to finish baggin' my groceries . I guess you still can write checks and not hold up the line. lol

Just another observation; While talking to a teacher, I learned that a certain group of 6th graders are starting a money unit where they will be learning how to conduct transactions, both as consumers and as retailers, using cash and checks. Debit and credit cards will be mentioned but not practiced. So-here come another group of people to hold up lines in stores, but at least they will be hare-like, serious 12 year olds instead of tortoise-like giddy seniors to drive some of us to distraction. <----(good-natured ribbing)

If you are using telecheck with a blank check, I am cool with that. Unfortunately many huge retailers don't use the service. This is because for them it is cheaper to take the hit on the percentage of bounced checks they get then pay the telecheck transaction fee considering the volume they do.

Just an observation: Over the time I've been reading the posts under any of the stories here, I can tell you've been doing just that-thinking, benthinkin. You often say what I've been thinking-only you manage to do it in less than a novel-sized post. I'm working on that.
But that was a novel way of looking at the mini-subject under this story-that check writer in front of me isn't wasting MY time-it's HIS time because he was there first. Remember that-impatient shoppers, and so will I.

Are we forgetting that the person who is dealing with the store clerk is there a head of me which means it is their turn and that I am to wait until they have concluded their transaction?
Not to long ago an elderly lady was going through her coin purse to get the exact change. While doing so she apologized to me about the time it was taking.
I explained to her that she was there 1st, so it was me that was supposed to wait my turn, she had already waited her turn in line.

Oh yeah one mmore thing, this might shock you but this middle ager pays at the pump too. :O)

cocktail: It wouldn't do any good, these relatives are the same ones who call the bank to check their balance and proceed to say cool I have $600 cause the bank says that is my balance and neglect to consider the outstanding checks they have written out for bills! LOL So they would be in trouble either way. Like I said the store I go to does the electronic check thing, I hand them my blank one, they hand it back filled out, they win, I win. For the times I go to a different store if I write a check, trust me it is filled out except for the amount so I am wasting no ones' time. My choice, my checks. I have no problem striking up conversations with people as we wait in lines, my pet peeve is the poor customer service. I get good service sometimes but most of the time it isn't like that. Yep I am crazy, ask all my friends and they will tell you that!
Also there have been times when I have went to stores that only do cash or debit and their machine has been down so then what do you do?

janesvillecomments:

I use a credit card for things under $20 all the time. I want those airline miles! Those things are great. The wife and I are flying to Asia in business class this summer thanks to those purchases. The gas station is a bad example as well since most of us young'ins pay at the pump because we don't want to waste time going into the store. I have actually avoided gas stations before because they didn't have pay at the pump (darn dinosaur gas stations).

ncpanfan:

I guess I will call you crazy then since you asked for it. Evidently your relatives that have trouble with their debit cards are not financially responsible. Sure, there are situations where an individual might mess up and forget a debit from their account. But by your choice of words, it seems they missed quite a few if they are "getting into trouble". With debit card transactions clearing so fast from you account, I would suggest you inform your relatives to check their balances online to confirm if they forgot something. By writing checks, you are wasting everyone's time in line behind you. Quit stifling the technological age. **I do give pardons to older individuals who are very intimidated by the whole electronic money thing. Thankfully, they are easy to spot and I can avoid getting in their line**

Here is a link for a from on FDIC's website.

https://www4.fdic.gov/STARSMAIL/index.as...

run: Who do you report a bank to? I just put up with it because I assumed that every bank makes it's own rules/policies. That's why we've been checking into other banks (finding out about their policies thru word of mouth) to see if the other ones in town were any better.

Pandow: If you deposited a cashier’s, certified, or teller’s check bank's are required by law to give you next day availability. Do a search on "Regulation CC (12 CFR Part 229)" and look at section 229.10. Section 229.13 outlines the exceptions, which would be what they put holds on. If your bank is truely doing what you say, check into it and report them.

Just keep telling yourself you need to hurry hurry hurry....eventually you will be all done hurrying, and wonder where your life went. Can't find the time to wait for a person to write out a check? Silly. The need for speed and technology is what has gotten our world into trouble, and now is in deparate need of "green power". If we would all just "stop and smell the roses" and enjoy life as it is and stop looking for the next big thing, things would be so much better for all. Just remember, you can hurry all you like, but when the earth has had enough, she will take care of herself, and then all of our "importance" will be gone. Cliche's seem so "cliche" but our ancestor's had it right, and we are all just getting to dependant on technology and feel too entitled.

run: I understand the banks wanting to protect themselves but a great deal of the checks we deposit are issued to us directly from other banks. Why do they put a hold on them? They have told us, when I've called them about the overdraft fees before, that the checks we deposited cleared right away but that since it was a large amount we'd still have to wait to withdraw on the funds. Why, once they know that the checks are good and they have cleared, do they make us wait to withdraw on the funds? It doesn't make any sense to me what so ever. As far as it being in the disclosures when we opened the accounts... It wasn't. I opened my account with them 11 years ago and the only thing it said was that any deposit made after 2:00 PM will be available for withdrawel the following business day. In fact, they have a sign up in the bank and at their drive thru window that says that too. They have never notified us of the holds. I've asked after making a deposit, if they were going to put a hold on it and I was told that they didn't know because it wasn't them who decided what checks to issue holds on. They said that the main branch decides that. I've asked what kind of checks are usually put on hold and they said that normally it was the larger checks but the last deposit we made I called the main branch to find out if they issued a hold on the two checks we deposited and they had put a hold on a $200 check but not the check for $3440 (mind you, both checks came from the same place). I have written my husband a check from my account and they put a hold on that one (we both have our accounts at the that bank). Like I said, it doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe I just have a horrible bank. We have been thinking about switching banks for some time now. Hopefully all banks aren't that bad.

Since Check 21 is a LAW, I'm not sure how this could be considered collusion. The banks didn't get together and decide to do this. The reason more and more banks are going this route is because the Fed wants them to. The cost of clearning a paper check instead of an electronic transaction is becoming more and more expensive.

This may be standard practice at some banks, but it is not at mine, which I know for a fact since I also work there. I understand that people get pissed about overdraft fees, but here's a thought...how about having the money in your account before writing a check?

About the holds issue, by law the bank must disclose it's availability policy. It's probably in the disclosures when you open the account. At the time of deposit, we fill out a hold form that the customer signs and gets a copy of. Check your disclosures - if you were not notified of the policy on holds or at the time of deposit it may be a legal issue.

This system isn't designed to make the banks more money, it's to protect them. Why should they take the risk for a customer accepting a $6000 that may or may not come back NSF. Often times the collectibility of these items once they come back is very low.

Petcat: You are 100% correct... Banks always clear the largest checks first. It has happened to my husband more than once. That really pisses me off. What pisses me off even more is you can have a balance of $50, make a deposit for $6,000 and 5 business days later you go get gas and a couple other things and you end up getting 3 overdraft charges of $35 each because they placed a hold on the deposits for 10 business days. The most irritating thing about that is if you call up to find out your balance they will tell you it is $6,050 but yet you can't use the money (your money). I'm not sure if other banks do this too but mine will not let you cash a check unless you have that amount in your checking. You have to deposit the whole amount and wait till it clears (1-10 business days) before you can get the cash. They won't allow you to do it even if it's a $900 check and you want to deposit $800 of it into your account and get $100 of it in cash. They said that if we deposited cash we could withdraw on it right away. Well, if I had cash why would I deposit it into my account and then withdraw it? This system is definately a way for the banks to make more money!

ncpanfan, you are right about one thing customer service today is crappy. but i have a better word for it but i wont say it. iam cashier, and one thing my customers can say about me is, im never rude or pushing them out the door. think the reason i prefer the debit card or credit card is because, the machine you use to run it takes to long, if you mention to some customers, that the machine will print it out for them they get upset. and as far as its stated above if it takes to long who cares, i do because i want my customers to come back to my place of business. i would rather lose one rude snotty customer than 10 good ones. it is to bad that bad cashiers and bad customers both are something we have to deal with everyday.

tjncj: That is not true, you can get an overdraft when there is money in your account. My husband owns a construction business and has deposited almost $6,000 worth of checks into his account, went to the gas station 5 business days later to get gas and got an overdraft fee. I called the bank and questioned them about it and they said that they had put a hold on the checks that were deposited for 10 business days (use to be you could withdraw immediately if you made a deposit before 2pm, after 2pm it was available for withdrawel the next business day). They said that it is the new system. Certain deposits can be put on a hold for up to 10 days. I complained about it because they never told us that they were going to put them on a hold for 10 days. They finally agreed to credit the account for the $35 overdraft fee and said that they would notify us of any holds. Needless to say it has happened more than once because they still don't notify us when they choose to put a hold on certain deposits and is quite frustrating.

Inflation from the float on electronic debits? I don't think so. Inflation is caused by to much capital, currency etc. chasing too few opportunities usually in an overheating economy. Our current inflation is being caused by high gas prices and food price increases caused by high fuel prices and a strain on corn by ethanol production among other things. The reduction of this float for the comsumer would actually have a very slight and temporary effect of driving inflation down by reducing the capital consumers would have to spend.

If you don't spend more than is in your account you won't get overdraft fees.

"I can't be overdrawn, I still have checks left" - James Thurber

"Also notice the way that the banks will clear your checks in the order of largest to smallest, thereby increasing the likelihood of collecting these overdraft fees..." Where do you bank that does this? My bank charges based on the dollar amount, regardless of the order posted. If I am overdrawn $50, and have checks for $5, $30, and $66, posting in that order, I am only charged for the $66 check.

One of the things wrong with our society today is that people seem to lack the capacity for patience. Slow down and be patient with the person who writes a check. Is it gonna kill you to wait a few extra minutes? If you can't wait you're living your life way to fast and getting irritated about it leads to high blood pressure and strokes. RELAX

I really do not think it is the how people pay that really is the problem. My husband and I hate shopping because the people are so rude they stop and block the asile with thier baskets and get snippy if you say excuse me. We try very hard not to be in a hurry because it is always the same at check out. I guess what I am saying is people are probally all ready irrated by time they reach the check out. That it what sticks in your mind the last event is what always sticks. It is amazing how friendly people can make a difference and try a smile. We are all in the same boat one way or the other. Does writing a check or paying with the card really make a difference in your day that much? I would be willing to bet no.

And why does it tick you off to see someone use plastic to make a purchase of less than $20 at a fast food joint or gas station?
.
What does it matter to you that financially responsible people are actually getting ahead in the consumer world?

It cost's me more to use cash because I get monetary rebates for every dollar I charge on my card. They pay me to buy what I normally buy anyway. So, I'll continue to use plastic instead of paper. Capitalism is good.
Life in the check-out lane is good.

I have a suggestion.... TAKE CASH TO THE STORE! It really ticks me off to see someone use plastic to make a purchase of less than $20 at a fast food joint or gas station. Also, if you are shopping at Woodmans in Janesville, use the computerized self-checkout stations with your plastic cards and paper checks. I've never seen them all full while I'm in line waiting to hand over printed currency to a checker. I wish the US Mint would bring back higher denomination coins - $5, $10, $20 and $50.

Just so all of you know, those checkers at Woodman's are timed. If they don't fling 30 items per minute they risk being demoted to a bagger along with an approximate $6.00 per hour cut in pay. If they are on their phone, it is with a supervisor or something. There is no chit chat on their phones. The lack of customer service there is the management's doing, not the checkers. If you want that to change then call Woodman's Corporate Office and complain. The number is 754-8382.

Horseless carriages... an anachronistic term for an automobile.

Johndoe;
This really is about paper (check)
or plastic...(credit card)
I guess that makes it double hot

I find it funny that people are posting about not wanting to wait for check writers because they are wasting their time, but are on the internet wasting their time posting!

who cares how someone pays for their stuff ? if the store takes it then it is an acceptable form of payment. since you say this happens all the time, then you are aware of it and should blame yourself for not planing more time to check out. are you the same person that talks in the isle for 20 mins. while people try to get their items ? come on people chill out.

Do all of you know that when you use the convince of a check card or credit card it drives the cost of goods up. A merchant pays every time you use a card like that credit or debit. Do you think they will eat the costs? Who is pushing for the plastic, the banks. They push plastic because they make more money on it, not so you can get through a line faster.

Maybe if everyone wasn't in a hurry all the time this wouldn't be a issue...I could care -less if the people in front of me write checks !!!

It's good to see the world is in such great shape that for so many people, this is such a hot topic, rivaled only by "paper or plastic."

I work at Mounds and we are told to ask the customers if they are familiar with Telecheck. If they aren't we tell them that its all electronic, you don't have to fill it out because you get the check back with the amount on it, and you sign a reciept with the amount on it. And yet, people say they know what it is and still fill out the WHOLE check. I can see the amount, the store and maybe the date, but signing it too. Esp. when we just explain that you get the check back??? You also get a reciept, so that kind of baffles me why people fill their checks out because they need to know the amount, day, and where they were. All of those things are on the reciept. It's really no different than using a debit card, there atleast, because we don't have a machine for you to put your PIN number in. And if you're worried about the whole taking out the wrong amount issue, save your reciept, and by all means fill out a check but don't take 10 min. doing it by asking the date, where you are, all while pausing to talk about the weather knowing that there is a line beind you.

RU: LOL Thanks again!! Have a wonderful evening! Gotta go..

I don't get angry in the store, I go home and tell my husband all about it and he says don't yell at me, it isn't my fault. Ha ha Like I said I strike up conversations in the line, it isn't the people who are waiting in line's fault...

It is not that I live a care free life with no attitude, I just feel that there are more important things to worry about. I do get angry and aggrevated, but I chose my battles and refuse to get angry in public places, it is embarassing. Everyone is definately entitled to their own opinion, it is just sad to see it when you go to the store, because really at the end of the day, was the anger worth it? Nice chatting on here, time for me to sign off and go home!

awww. You're welcome. And I promise, I will never count out pennies if I find myself in line in front to you. (between you & me, I will when I'm in front of garyprimer and cocktail-but I'll leave the store if I see paisleysdaddy) <----good natured fun for those who have time enough to be here, but not in line behind a check writer.

RU? Thanks for the laugh. I needed it. Cash is always a good thing! :O)

It is also refreshing to meet someone who apparently never gets aggravated at anything that happens with a wonderful who cares attitude. I wish I could be like that. It would be nice to never have anything go wrong or happen that would upset me, anger me, etc... And I am not being sarcastic, it really is nice to meet someone like that.

I would have never imagined I'd see this as one of life's problems anywhere but in that stupid commercial. Will I be hung by the purse strings until dead if I use cash?

Been there, done that, these days not much cheaper to do it that way either. Sorry if my attitude has offended you momof1, guess it went a little off topic to start complaining about not getting good customer service so I apologize and I will go write my checks and you go use your debit card and we will all be happy. Actually I am a pretty easy going person but do tend to get involved in discussions where people basically tell me I am inconsiderate for writing a check when I feel it is each person's choice. I also feel we all deserve to have good customer service when we go somewhere so sorry for thinking people deserve good things...

Again I say, who really cares about this??? What does it really matter at the end of the day if you wrote a check or used a debit/credit card anyway?????? Wow. Unbelievable. Attitudes are terrible in today's society. Plant a garden, buy a cow or a goat, or both! That way you don't have to go to the store and be aggrevated at all!!!

One more point / question.? I don't know if it is still true but I heard that some places charge you a fee for using your debit card because the bank charges them. Wal-Mart used to do that but I haven't heard recently if they still do.

And it isn't like I am standing there moaning about it, I actually have conversations with people who are waiting also and have met some interesting people so I do make the most of it I just think they need to step back a direction to the way customer service used to be about the customer. I know some people are jerks and that is unfair to the cashiers but also there are some rude cashiers who need to learn customer service. I have been on that end, many, many years ago I worked in a grocery store so I can relate to the different people you have to provide customer service for and how sometimes it is difficult to do so but when I did it, good service was expected and you didn't talk to the other cashier and ignore the customer and you didn't talk on the phone and ignore the customer.

W8 I agree. Unfortunately for me it is hard to get there at a time that works like that. One would think a Wednesday night evening at 6 would not be that busy but when they only have the 2 registers going that makes it busy I suppose. Then there are days when I have been off work and went during the day and there would be like 10 lines open and maybe a person at 2 or 3 of them? seems like they should be scheduling differently?

Paisley: OH really ??? I suppose that those debit card people are NEVER slow punching in the wrong pin, the wrong buttion etc...????? Oh please. I wait longer to get to the register and check out than I do to hand over my check to the cashier for her to whip through and by the way I take my receipt and fill in the amount after I leave the line!!! BTW I wasn't necessarily whining about the ice cream, more so about the crappy customer service we get these days!!!!! It shouldn't take you 45 minutes to get checked out because a store only has 2 lines open when there are managers and others walking around. Managers should step in and help.

I don't write too many checks any more. However, when I do use my check card, I do write down the transaction immediately in my check register. I find that his takes as much time as writting out my checks did (because I had everything pre-filled except the amount). If people have a problem waiting for people to make out their checks and write down their transactions in their check registers, that's their problem. Everyone is always in a a huge hurry, and this is just more proof. Personally, I get mad when the cashier at a store and the person behind me are practically throwing my bags at me to get me out of the line. To avoid this rude treatment, I try to do most of my shopping at non-peak times. It seams to help.

mr. primer are you on crack? I see no ladies riding around on horses at woodmans, or any where else they use their check books, go lay down.

Some of you talking about having a copy of the amount coming out as the reason for writing a check, you are full of crap. When you use a debit card or visa check card, you get a receipt. That's your proof, and it pends your account immediately, which you should be able to see online almost immediately. Take your receipt home and enter it in your check register instead of making the rest of our ice cream melt while you write a check when you finally get your total, and then have to put it in your register at the same time.

I'm not in a big hurry, but your wasting my time. I could be doing alot better things that waiting behind you being slow.

redbed: not to mention also the times the machines are down and can't be used

Kiki, I'm glad your 82 yr old parent accepts the new technology. Unfortunately, not all elderly do--whether by choice or natural aging and confusion. My parents (87 & 84) get very confused very easily & are not able to comprehend the 'newfangled' things. A few years ago, they would have been fine with it, but at their stage of aging, they can't.

Sometimes debit and credit transactions can take just as long as a person writing a check by the time a person digs the card out figures out what buttons on the little machine to push(and they are all differant)waiting for an answer from the little machine and then fumbling to put the recipt in their wallet.So I really don't see what differance it makes.

So in all fairness I will say that if people are prepared then either way should work to accomodate everyone. Sorry I like my checks but I also am prepared and besides most places will take it and generate the electronic draft anyway so you don't even have to fill it in, they do it all, they get their money right away and I get my copy so I have it in case it is needed. A win-win situation. I use my debit card when necessary and even pay bills online but I still write checks. For example donations which IRS requires proof if ever audited. The written check is that proof, a debit? How would you prove it without going through alot of hassle? Unless you mail it in and request they send you back a receipt? Most of them say keep your cancelled check as your receipt.

I took my 82 yr. old mother on a "field trip" to the ATM at M&I Bank at Creston Park and taught her how to get money. She was an excellent student and can now do this on her own. A win - win for everyone.

i will tell whats irritating is someone getting ready to check out and they say,where am i, uhh whats the date, and dont even have the check started, while the line of my customers gets longer,(never prepared) paper checks take to much time. i love when my customers have debit cards (theyre prepared)

My wife loves her debit card. It's like having a PICC line to our checking account.

While I see the story mentions that electronic processing makes deposits quicker for consumers it fails to point out that this "added quickness" isn't nearly as fast as the banks and businesses are able to draw your money from your account. I say it should be even both ways. If I write a check for $150 to Target and they can draft it right away, then when I deposit a check for $150 it should be available right away, none of this "pending" b.s. Bottom line is this is a nice little loophole that was deliberately left in the system by the banking lobby to allow them access to your money for an extra period of time while at the same time assuring that they and the businesses will be able to draw your money immediately.

I work all day to, but make it a point to get to the store when the crowds are not as big. Everyone has the same amount of time in each day, it depends on how you decide to use your time. I get aggrevated when the store is busy, but you just have to smile and deal with it. There is nothing else you can do. As far as customer service, I also make it a point NOT to shop at the places I dislike unless absolutely necessary. Customer Service is a big issue and I agree that these cashiers need to be nicer and pay attention to the customer.

I rarely wright checks anymore. My debit card from the bank is a VISA check card, so I choose the credit option and don't have to remember a pin number.

Currently, some businesses don't even require a signature if the purchase is below a certain dollar amount, which speeds up the charge transaction. I beleive the whole signature requirement will eventually go away for every transaction.

Delta, I have never seen that but that would be funny because I would hope the cashier didn't take the check?? How about this one. We paid our employees direct deposit and they took their stub to a check cashing store and they cashed it, not once but 2 times before it came back and they found out. They wanted us to reimburse them! Hello it says not a negotaible document right on the stub, why would you cash it? The person didn't catch that it was a dd stub and not a check...

What I love the most, is when someone tries to use their check card, and it declines, then they write a check...

Too bad I have to work all day and then get groceries to feed my family and maybe I would like to not be in line for that long. I wish I could magically do all the stuff I have to do and never have to be in a hurry for anything but this is real life and life doesn't stop because I went to work, there is all the stuff to do when I get off and get home too. And no I can't afford to stay at home and take all the time I want to do stuff, I have 2 kids headed off to college and we have to pay for that!

Oh and I do deal with it every week and so maybe I have the right to be a little ticked that I don't get good customer service!

I am not talking about being in a hurry, I am talking about basic customer service. Do you think in the old days I waited in line for 30 to 45 minutes to check out and meanwhile my ice cream is melting??? No I did not. Three managers stood around and discussed the fact that the lines were growing and no lines were open but did one of them offer to open a line? NO why? Can't get their hands dirty and do a job they consider beneath them? In the old days a manager would step in and help!!! That is what I am talking about.

Way to go Mom..
Not only is everyone in a hurry.. basic consideration has gone out the window as well..

Seriously, who cares. If everybody wasn't in such a hurry for everything, life would be a lot easier. Back to the days when everyone was friendly and had a more laid back attitude. Anymore it seems as if everyone has to hurry hurry hurry. If you don't like the long lines, go to a different store that may not be as busy. Or deal with it.

Amen fmr!! How true!! I remember back when customer service was the most important thing stressed to an employee. It was expected, now if you find it make sure you thank that person because they are doing it on their own and it is a rare, happy experience...

I'm with you, wendysue. I write checks too, but I have mine filled out (except for the amount) BEFORE I get to the front of the line. I have also used debit cards before and have had trouble with the PIN number not working. Sorry we irritate you, Gary, I guess we're not as SMART & EDUCATED about EVERYTHING as you obviously are.

It's funny how the only 'customer service' they improve anymore is the one that makes paying faster and safer for them.

I write checks! I will continue to write checks! I had no idea there were people out there that cared whether I wrote a check or not!!
I get irritated when I get behind someone using the debit card!! That doesnt know how to use it--the clerk has to walk the person thru the procedure....the pin # doesnt work...
a check couldve been written a lot faster.
There are two sides to every situation.

I don't mind waiting, I just avoid it if I can. If I can't, there is always a fine selection of merchandise to admire while I wait.

Gary, those are the ones who make it look bad on the ones like me who aren't that way. When I go shopping I spend more time in line waiting because they never have enough lines open not because someone is writing a check. For example yesterday I was in one of 2 lines open with about 6 to 7 people waiting in line. I could do the self check out thing but when you skip bagging for the big items more than twice it stops and makes you wait for customer service so it isn't worth the hassle.

Giddyup Gary

Not everyone uses debit cards. My parents are in their 80's & write checks. I'm sorry they hold the lines up, and they know you find them irritating, but they don't understand the computer age & electronic transfers. They won't be around that much longer and with that thought in mind, I don't mind being held up by the elderly in lines. We will all be slow & feeble some day--if we are lucky!

oh and one more thing, I have relatives who do the debit thing and need I tell you how many times they have gotten themselves in trouble because they forgot to write down a transaction and subtract it from their account? ALOT and they have paid many fees for it. It has never (knock on wood) happened to me.

This isn't news. The story says it all. The bill was passed in 2004. I always keep an eye out for a check book in the checkout line and change lines if I see one. The worst are the ladies (sorry, but it has always been my experience) who wait until the final item has been checked out and then decide that it would be a good time to start looking in a huge purse for a checkbook. Oh, and what is the date today? Oddly enough, none of them are ever wearing hoop skirts, but they do ride off in horseless carriages.

cocktail: call me crazy but I take offense to you telling me I am inconsiderate!!! First of all I have my check filled out except for the amount when I get there and secondly have you ever thought that some people want written proof to fall back on should the need arrive? Yes I have had times when my check was written for one amount and they took a different amount and I was able to prove it and get them to fix their error! So no I don't think I am inconsiderate, if you ask me most of the places you go in have inconsiderate workers who chat to each other or on their phones instead of paying attention to me, the customer!

yeah. checks should be outlawed.

Seriously, if you are writing checks you are very INCONSIDERATE to others in the checkout line who have been participatating in the electronic age for over a decade.