Posted on 05/22/2004 6:36:10 PM PDT by SLB
I just made a quick trip to one of the local Kroger stores, chicken was on sale this week and we wanted to get a couple of bags of boneless/skinless. When I got to the checkout isle, I use the self checkout whenever possible, I wrote my check for $25.00 over the purchase price.
The clerk ran the check through the machine and then looked at me and said something like; "I am sorry, but there has already been a check for $25.00 over written on this account within the past week and you are limited to $25.00 a week which is the maximum allowed." (Mrs SLB had written a check at another store earlier in the week) She then showed me the register slip with my bank account number and the limits on my account. I am limited to spending $300.00 a week at Kroger.
I asked her why and she said it was a new Kroger wide policy. I did not berate her, she is on the bottom of the food chain, but asked for a cusotmer comment form which she gladly gave me. I will fill it out and send it to Kroger.
We do not do anywhere near all of our shopping at Kroger as we have the commissary at Ft Knox (average savings is in the 30% range), we also have Save-a-Lot, Aldi's, and of course the infamous Wally World. We usually only go to Kroger for sale items, but this tracking of my purchases and limiting me is going to send me even further from them. My only planned trips there now are for gasoline as they give a $0.03 a gallon discount with their card, but I am certain they track that, too bad the name, address and phone number on the card are all made up.
I demanded my bank issue me a debit card expressly not enabled as a credit card. The problem with so called "check cards" is that they can be used to make credit card style transactions without requiring a PIN entry, as well as debit-style transactions, which are protected by PIN entry. However, in either case, the funds come straight out of your checking account!
I've got more credit cards than I ever use, and the last thing I need is someone stealing my debit card and charging up a storm. That's a lot harder if it can only be used in debit mode (PIN required).
With a credit card, if there's a problem, the credit card company has to sue you. With a check card, you have to sue the bank. Plus, with a credit card, you get several weeks of interest-free float, as well as rewards points. And, if I'm away from home, I can use either type of card to get emergency cash.
I see. The connection I was thinking of to Kroegers (we don't have them around here) is the Fred Meyer chain (I was reminded by a comment upthread). Fred Meyer was an Oregon based outfit until Kroegers bought it after the death of it's namesake. Of the supermarket chains in this area they are usually the highest priced, so I seldom shop there anymore.
Depending on the issuer, you might not be liable for a dime if your card is stolen. I'd much a thief use my stolen check card as a visa.
I saw how that can happen. The other day at Albertson's a person in line in front of me could not enter the correct PIN for a debit card transaction. After three tries the cashier volunteered that the person should rescan the card and select credit instead of debit. Cashier then had the customer sign the charge slip and that was that. Never handled the card or checked the signature. Not A Good Thing.
True, but I just don't like the idea of a low-security credit transaction making an instant withdrawal from my bank account. If somebody makes a fraudulent charge on one of my credit cards, I still have the money during the dispute period.
I like Aldis.
I have to travel a bit out of Nashville proper but the prices a great.
Kroger is Union and surly.
Since our local HG Hills closed, I go to Harris Teeter mostly.
They must also know the amount and frequency of your bank deposits.
Just another reason to use cash...The fact is grocery stores are NOT banks. The fact that they allow you to write checks is a convience for you. Bad checks are a re huge part of the cost of doing business and many stores are trying to find ways to eliminate it. That's why I use cash...so I can't be tracked or limited or anything else
Simple answer...don't use Kroger as an ATM. If you want cash, get it from your bank. Kroger is correct in not letting check writers get cash over the purchase on a consistent basis. Paper checks are for morons.
Try a debit card or a check card.
in my kroger store,you have to spend 35.00 in order to get a paycheck cashed...
i hear that people who are blacklisted from casinos resort to wearing disguises...maybe you could dress up as elvis?????
think about how much more money they would save,if they cut out all those bonus goodies for those useless upper management types .....
the tellers at my bank love asking me about my debit purchases...its amazing how many 10,15 and 20 cent purchases you can make and have everyone scratching their heads about what you purchased.....
bet grocery stores all over the country get TONS of checks written on friday....
maybe someone can answer me this: Why is this vanity allowed while others are moved to General Chat?
"I don't mind the Schwan's man stopping by though..."
What are you talking about? Who is the Schwan's man, and when/why does he stop by?
"Stubbs Beef Marinade. The best I've ever tasted"
YES! That stuff is great! I get it at A & P here in NJ. Even fussy hubby approves. The pork one is good too, I never tried the bbq sauce, maybe someday.
First time I used one of those I noticed as I left my spinach on the counter too long was the voice saying "Please move your spinach". That spurred a thought and next time in the store I went looking down the fruit and veggie aisles trying to find something to buy just to make it say something funny.
So you're one of the ones holding up those supermarket lines with those infernal checks! I can't believe people still bring checkbooks to the supermarket. Why? It takes five seconds to swipe an ATM card and the money comes out of the same account without you backing up the supermarket line into the produce section while the cashier is checking your name against the "bad check" list and all those other time-consuming tasks associated with processing a check. C'mon, it's the 21st Century - get with it.
How about going back to CASH?
One of these days I'm going to get a baseball bat and demand my rights as a consumer.
A line where people can only pay cash.
I love the folks who wait until the last item is bagged,
and then with a flourish, proceed to fill out their check
like they were signing the Declaration of Independence.
and then of course they have to balance their checkbook.
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