I think that we are now down to 4-5 checks per month - mostly for contributions and medical bills.

I believe that the check will not be seen after the next 5-10 years.

So I stopped at a Dominick's today for a couple items I need for tonight's dinner and, sure enough, there was a WCA right in front of me in the checkout line. This particular woman managed to take the outdated practice of paying for groceries with a check to brave new heights of assdom. I wanted to call the Guinness people to put her in the record book!

After bringing things to a complete standstill by not even fishing her checkbook out of her purse until after the cashier had finished ringing up her order; then finally filling out the check finishing the transaction, she decided to linger for a bit while she filled in the check register in great detail. Meanwhile, the cashier had already scanned my entire order, but the WCA was blissfully unaware that she was blocking the card terminal (and the checkout aisle), so I was unable to move forward and pay for my order. We all stood there cooling our heels for at least another 20 - 30 seconds while the WCA finished writing her novel (or whatever it was she was writing in her check register).

How inconsiderate on so many levels.

I'm a little disappointed here...when I saw the title of this thread I was expecting barely clad posteriors of the "world class" variety.

I'll tell you what aggravates me when shopping: when I stand in a line for a few moments only to have the cashier tell me she is closing, pointing to a sign indicating such, or a light that is not lit.

But what really infuriates me, is when I skip the shortest line because the open sign is not lit, or the sign is set to closed, and find that the line is not really closing at all. The cashier was simply too lazy to set the indicators correctly, or the lamp burned out in the fixture, or whatever ... Aargh!

-ramon

Many people still write checks as a way to play the "float", although more and more stores are clearing checks as an EFT.

LuvstoEat wrote:Many people still write checks as a way to play the "float", although more and more stores are clearing checks as an EFT.

And of course, you could just put it on a credit card and pay it off in full each month.

Even better if you use one of those fancy rewards credit cards that gets you 5%/3%/1% at grocery stores/restaurants/gas stations/whatever.

If people want to pay with a check that is ok by me. I never do.

The people that get under my skin are the check writers who:

a) are not prepared to write the check, and wait until their groceries a rung up to start searching for their checkbook.

b) feel the need to balance their checkbook, or make journal entries while others wait behind them.

As a newbie to posting at LTH, reading this long thread off and on over the past few days has allowed me to get a feel for some of the discussions that go on here and to see the humor and danger of this sort of forum. "Tongue in cheek" doesn't always translate when being written rather than spoken, and sometimes the discussion has seemed on the border of misogyny or at least mean-spiritedness.

What's really being discussed is courtesy. It's not writing checks. It's using the excuse of writing checks to hog space at the front of the line because, as many have pointed out, you can have your check ready. These people occupy the same space to me as those who cut me off in the left lane and then slow down.

I learned to become forgiving of this behavior after being the primary caregiver for my son when he was a toddler. I remember distinctly how kids around two to three years of age act on slides at a playground. The thrill for them was not going down the slide; it was getting to the top looking back at their peers lined up on the stairs behind them and just sitting for a moment enjoying the view. Except for the minority that had genuine trepidation, you could almost see most of their little brains thinking "ha, ha suckers I'm going to draw out my moment before moving on because it's fun to know you're waiting." The parents and nannies would all be screaming, "go down, go down," but it didn't stop every kid from having his or her moment. So now when I get behind a slow check writer of either sex or behind someone who cuts me off in the fast lane only to slow down and enjoy the view (and this latter seems to be a majority male behavior), I just think, "toddlers on a slide."

CCCB wrote:What's really being discussed is courtesy. It's not writing checks. It's using the excuse of writing checks to hog space at the front of the line because, as many have pointed out, you can have your check ready. These people occupy the same space to me as those who cut me off in the left lane and then slow down.

Interesting assessment. I always thought of these people as being the ones whose parents never taught them that they were not the only people in the world. I always figured that they did not care that others were waiting because they did not have the capacity to actually acknowledge that others were around them. Much like the people roaming the aisles at grocery stores that stop in the middle of the aisle to go look at something, and "park" their carts perpendicular to the aisle and block the entire aisle that could normally fit 4 carts. Or the people that leave their cart in the lane after they are done checking out, and just simply walk away. These people seem genuinely oblivious to the fact that there are other people near them. I always figured that mommy and daddy told them that they were a special little prince / princess too many times, and they now think to themselves that "mommy and daddy never made me care about other people, so why should I care now?"

CCCB wrote:I learned to become forgiving of this behavior after being the primary caregiver for my son when he was a toddler. I remember distinctly how kids around two to three years of age act on slides at a playground. The thrill for them was not going down the slide; it was getting to the top looking back at their peers lined up on the stairs behind them and just sitting for a moment enjoying the view.

Maybe in Evanston..... (TFPIC)
out here in the NW 'burbs I've yet to see that kind of behavior
and I'm the "primary caregiver" AKA stay at home dad to a 4 year-old boy
who spend a great deal of time a wide selection of playgrounds.

I wrote this to Richard Roeper after he wote an article about Jerkaholics, who are closely related to World Class Asses.

"I had an encounter with a jerkaholic last Friday at Sam's Club. I went to the checkout area with my cart and at the first line there were just a couple of people in it and two women who were together who were standing near the line contemplating whether they should join the line or one further down. They decided to enter the line and I decided that since the two women were only buying one item, I would join the same line. Big mistake!

One of the women was about 35, the other was much older. The younger woman was telling the other woman some story which I wasn't listening to, but I realized later she was relating a confrontational story, which was undoubtably caused by her jerkaholism. While telling her story she parked her cart next to the beginning of the conveyer belt and completely ignored me, so I had to lift my items over their cart to get them on the belt. Not once did they make any attempt to move down, even when it became their turn. The cashier stood there waiting for them to give them their Sam's card and the jerkaholic finally took a few steps towards the cashier and handed over the card, and then returned to the spot at the beginning of the belt and continued her story! This was repeated when she paid, returning once again to her original position. At this point the cashier had to carry the vase that they had bought around the end of the line and place it in their cart. The jerkaholic just stood there blocking the line and talking, completely oblivious to everything around her. I finally rolled my cart around them and checked out. The cashier and I exchanged eyerolls. The person in line behind me was now trying to figure out how to get his stuff on the belt. The women finally moved, but the jerkaholic never stopped talking all the way out of the store.

I am absolutely convinced if I had said anything to this woman she would have launched a vicious attack on me. I probably would have been the subject of her next story."

Hi,

Due to seasonal activity, I am doing more non-food shopping than usual. Years ago, I was asked by a Radio Shack clerk for my phone number for a cash transaction. I wouldn't give it to him, which back then he told me almost everyone declined.

In the last week, I have been casually asked my home phone as the opening statement to a sales transaction several times. They did not even know yet if I intended to pay by cash, check or credit card. When I asked why at a party goods store, they just let it drop. When I asked at a clothing store, I got a lecture on how it would save me money though I don't have a store dedicated card. When I declined to give my phone number, then there was total silence from the clerk to me. I was making small talk, actually talking about Radio Shack, until I realized I was all by myself. Only when I was presented my receipt, through clenched teeth I received a perfunctory, "Thank you." I realized by declining to give my phone number I had messed his personal score card and was labeled a world class ass in his mind. Hmmmm, well ditto back to him!

Regards,

From your story, Cathy, I'm thinking some of these stores don't even want a phone number for their own marketing databases--they want it in order to sell it to others for their marketing databases. (I guess I'm mainly thinking this because I can't imagine a party goods store with an aggressive telephone marketing plan of its own.) Which, if anything, is even more loathsome. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be watching for that question. And forearmed with a "no." (I'll try to let them get the whole question out first, in case they're really asking if I'd like a million dollars for being the millionth customer.)

I noticed at the cash register at Linens N Things there was a notice pasted to the counter saying the phone number was so they could send us "information about special sales and savings" or some such. Sure enough, it was the first thing the cashier asked before she even scanned my items. I said "I'll pass, thanks," and she didn't give me any grief. But I've been known to make up numbers when provoked. Can you prove that 123 456 7890 isn't really my phone number? (And remember when people used to ask for your Social Security number? Then it was 123 45 6789).

Hi,

I think the phone number question may also be a work-around for telemarketing purposes. Telemarketer's are allow to contact people who have been their clients within X period of time. By our sales transaction and voluntarily providing our phone number, then they can support their 'contact' with us.

Regards,

its funny how paranoid/cautious people are nowdays.

I give the sales clerk my number when asked, they are just doing their job, and I doubt it is some conspiracy to gleen top secret personal info from you, perhaps other than to see what areas their shoppers are coming from.

If it is a telemarketing ploy, that is what caller i.d. is for. If my phone rings(I see who is calling on my t.v. screen), and if I dont know the number, you go to voicemail. Telemarketing scheme foiled.

I generally smile kindly at them and say "you don't need it" and they say "no, I don't need it." Kind of like Star Wars.

HI,

If they wanted my home community, then my zip code would suffice.

Leek - I like your answer. I will test it out.

Regards,

leek wrote:I generally smile kindly at them and say "you don't need it" and they say "no, I don't need it." Kind of like Star Wars.

hilarious. I will try this next time.

Back to the check writing thing: I don't like it because it just means that you're simply not with it. There is absolutely no reason to write a check anymore.

In fact, i haven't written a check in years. Not since the internet became as functional as it has. At the store, you can use debit/credit cards or cash. For bills, you can use online account wires and online checks.

If you're writing checks in 2007, it's my opinion that you need to be updated on today's technology - badly. Literally, i don't even have a checkbook anymore. Life couldn't be easier.

I agree that most of this is about courtesy (most people are not courteous). Coasting in the left lane, talking at movies, taking forever to write checks, causing grid-lock because they want to get through that green light even though there's no place to go - this is the shit people don't think about on a daily basis because no one is courteous anymore.

But the check thing is a combination of lack of courtesy and also having no f'ing clue about very basic current technology.

leek wrote:I generally smile kindly at them and say "you don't need it" and they say "no, I don't need it." Kind of like Star Wars.

LOL! These aren't the droids you're looking for . . . *waves hand*

=R=

djenks wrote:If you're writing checks in 2007, it's my opinion that you need to be updated on today's technology - badly. Literally, i don't even have a checkbook anymore. Life couldn't be easier.

...

But the check thing is a combination of lack of courtesy and also having no f'ing clue about very basic current technology.

Well, no. I've tried the online check thing with Chase and have had several instances where the recipient never received the funds.

Also, when I pay my assessments I write a check, walk about 20 yards, and stick it in our Treasurer's mail box. I find that pretty convenient, even with all of your new-fangled modern technology.

I do not use any online payment options, I do not trust that method, and I am quite computer literate.

The CFO of my family(my wife) pays all monthly bills(mortage, car note, insurance, etc) with checks, and mails them out.

All purchases(dining, groceries, fuel, etc.), are made with a visa chck card from our bank.

jesteinf wrote:Also, when I pay my assessments I write a check, walk about 20 yards, and stick it in our Treasurer's mail box. I find that pretty convenient, even with all of your new-fangled modern technology.

see, that is nowhere near as convenient to me as having it go instantly with the touch of a button. But, our perspectives differ.

How could someone not receive payment if it's done electronically with account numbers and routing numbers? seems like one would have to try and screw that one up or it was typed in incorrectly.

the trust issue is dealt with by your awareness and diligence of your own security and the security of the website you are on (Chase, US Bank, etc). If you have your own security issues locked down, you're safer using a bank website then you are handing a check to someone with your signature and DL # on it.

either way, checks won't be here in the next 10 years - probably sooner - so it's a moot debate.

Ann Fisher wrote: But I've been known to make up numbers when provoked. Can you prove that 123 456 7890 isn't really my phone number? (And remember when people used to ask for your Social Security number? Then it was 123 45 6789).

I always make up a phone number if asked, but I get asked my zip much more.

"9021*."

*= wildcard - whatever # tickles my fancy at that point.

seebee wrote:I always make up a phone number if asked, but I get asked

As do I. There is a standard fake number that I have used for years when asked for it by someone I have no interest in speaking with. And now, I would like to take this opportunity to formally apologize to whoever has 773-578-6444 as their number, as they are probably getting a little annoyed with the sales calls.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:And now, I would like to take this opportunity to formally apologize to whoever has 773-578-6444 as their number, as they are probably getting a little annoyed with the sales calls.

hilarious.

Some fake numbers scream fake. That one has a certain je ne sais quoi of authenticity about it.

djenks wrote:

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:And now, I would like to take this opportunity to formally apologize to whoever has 773-578-6444 as their number, as they are probably getting a little annoyed with the sales calls.

hilarious.

I had a number for a couple of years when I lived in Lincoln Square. We constantly got calls looking for Duke and also a lot of random sales calls. When I moved, I carried on the tradition by using that number as my fake number.

jimswside wrote:its funny how paranoid/cautious people are nowdays.

I give the sales clerk my number when asked, they are just doing their job, and I doubt it is some conspiracy to gleen top secret personal info from you, perhaps other than to see what areas their shoppers are coming from.

If it is a telemarketing ploy, that is what caller i.d. is for. If my phone rings(I see who is calling on my t.v. screen), and if I dont know the number, you go to voicemail. Telemarketing scheme foiled.

If they want to know where you are from they can ask for your zip code. This is what most stores do who really care about where their customers are located. Its a very effective and unobtrusive piece of information for identifying the geographic reach of a customer base.

If they ask for your phone number, I can only imagine its for telemarketing. Legislation was passed last year that created the national Do Not Call list. However, there is an exception for any business with which you have a business relationship. By asking phone numbers of customers, they have a work-around to legally call you at home.

And if you are suprised about people being paranoid about giving out personal information, meet someone who was the target of identity theft and had to go through years of battling credit agencies, banks, govenment agencies, etc to straighten out their accounts. It happens much more often than you might think. Not that giving phone numbers to Linens and Things is a big source of identity theft, but it never hurts to be careful.

wak wrote: IIf they want to know where you are from they can ask for your zip code. This is what most stores do who really care about where their customers are located. Its a very effective and unobtrusive piece of information for identifying the geographic reach of a customer base.

When they are asking for your zip code, it is often to verify your identity. Certain VISA/MC/AMEX interchange banks give merchants a lower processing fee. The theory is that if the zip code given matches the data on the magnetic strip, the less likely the transaction is fraudulent.

You are beginning to see this at MANY delf-serve gas pumps throughout the US.