It's 2015 people still pay with CHECKS in stores!?

[MIGrandma]

Sadly, I had to retire my record player (the kind you wind up) to make room for my new 8-track player.

We probably still have one of those upstairs somewhere too! I almost forgot about the beloved 8-track player, where it would click to change tracks right in the middle of a song!

Oh, I have a cassette player built into my record player too, and still use that as well.

 

[Jennasis]

Sadly, I had to retire my record player (the kind you wind up) to make room for my new 8-track player.

I'm not kidding! DH is a huge audiophile and collects vinyl like there's no tomorrow. He's quite proud of his record player.

 

[soccerdad72]

Costco is one of the few places I would not be shocked to see people writing checks. Yeah, I know there are other options there these days (I got their AmEx just to use in their stores), but checks are still a fairly common payment type in Costco.

 

[Monykalyn]

I use checks at SAMs club, to put money into kids school accounts (outrageous fee for convenience of using debit or cc online to load account) and for kids school related expenses (field trips etc). Especially the school stuff- this way I have a record of payment (vs cash- who knows where that ends up sometimes). Also pay my service club dues with check- easier to track for tax purposes.

 

[LBIJim]

I'm not kidding! DH is a huge audiophile and collects vinyl like there's no tomorrow. He's quite proud of his record player.

I still have my turntable too, and use it a few times a year. But I haven't purchased a vinyl album since the late 80s. DW and I still have about 100 albums, down from about 300. A lot were ruined in a flood in my mom's basement.

FTR, I've never had an 8-track player.....didn't like how the songs would be interrupted for about 10 seconds when it switched to another track. I threw out all my cassettes a few years ago. Threw out all the VCR tapes about 5 years ago when the player finally died.

 

[Julylady]

I write 2-3 checks per month on average and they are all sent out via the US mail. I only use debit cards in retail stores. I don't mind if people are writing a check in line in front of me at Costco or the grocery store as long as they are prepared. I was behind someone last month with a huge order. She watched every single item scan to check the price. The problem was that at my supermarket, the item scans at normal price and then the discount is taken off at the end of the total transaction. The cashier explained that, but the customer kept stopping her at every item. "That one is on sale!" The cashier was frustrated as were everyone behind her in line. Then at the end, the cashier had to show her that the discount was actually taken off every sale item. At that point, the customer had to dig through her purse, locate her checkbook, borrow a pen from the cashier and start writing out her check. I was doing my best to exhibit patience, but I was fuming!

 

[Maggie Lizer]

OP mentioned Costco. Well, I agree with others who have said that is one place (or Sam's Club) where it is not weird to see someone paying by check. And my Sams runs the blank check through the register and hands it back to me so I don't have to fill it out anyway.

There are two other bills that come up for me for which the merchant won't take credit card payments. The oil company is one, and the other one escapes me right now.

 

[Topper]

Nope--small, rural area and ID's are rarely checked.

Do you know MiGrandma's DIL? Can she tinkle at your house?

 

[PrincessElena]

I personally don't think about whether or not I'm holding up a line by writing a check for my purchases. I hate how Americans, in general, are in such a rush to get nowhere. I want to take my time strolling casually through life. I don't feel the need to give in to societal pressures.

 

[Disneychick75]

My parents who are in their late 70's and my MIL who is 90, still use checks. What's the big deal?

 

[Tomader]

I use checks at the grocery store and to make store payments. I have had to replace my debit card three times because of security issues. My check book not once. I write fast so no hold up with me. I have seen older people with credit/debit cards that take forever.

 

[goofyernmost]

My parents who are in their late 70's and my MIL who is 90, still use checks. What's the big deal?

It isn't a big deal at all. It just is an easier way to do things, thanks to technology. If someone wants to sit there and spend their time filling out a check, who am I to care. I've seen friends struggling with things like balancing their checkbook, because they didn't get receipts or credit cards where they just blindly pay whatever the bill says instead of checking to see if all the charges are actually theirs. I also think that many confuse debit cards with credit cards. Debit cards come directly out of you bank account. It's exactly the same as cash, except you don't always have to remember to have enough cash on you.

I am not a techno-genius, but, I do take advantage of time saving systems. To me it's the same as buying a new car and ask that the electric starter be removed. There is nothing wrong with cranking the engine by hand and it's saves money. But, I'm sure that their are still people that keep their money in their mattress because you just cannot trust those banks. Remember what happened in 1929...!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

The only time use checks is like at the Secretary of State office because they said they add a percentage if you use a CC and I don't think they take cash (which is something I never have anyway).

 

[NewRVLady]

I hate how Americans, in general, are in such a rush to get nowhere. I want to take my time strolling casually through life. I don't feel the need to give in to societal pressures.

Okay......shrug

It's quicker and more effient to use a debit card - your bank balance is always current

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I personally don't think about whether or not I'm holding up a line by writing a check for my purchases. I hate how Americans, in general, are in such a rush to get nowhere. I want to take my time strolling casually through life. I don't feel the need to give in to societal pressures.

No one also cares your stuck in 1994 - continue strolling.

 

[sasywtch]

I work for a state agency and had to work the front counter today, thought of this thread. We only take exact cash or check/money order. Lots of people who come through our office have check books. I personally pay cash, I never ordered checks only use my checking account to pay online bills. I personally spent more money using a debit card as it was too handy.

 

[*3*Mouseketeers]

The check writing doesn't bother me, it's the people who hold up the line by writing down the check #, date, place it was written, amount, and then subtracting and putting the new balance while I'm waiting. I might hurriedly write the amount down (but I usually just stick the receipt in my wallet for later).

 

[JanaDee]

Okay......shrug

It's quicker and more effient to use a debit card - your bank balance is always current

So is my checkbook.

 

[JanaDee]

No one also cares your stuck in 1994 - continue strolling.

Why does it bother you so much you need to be rude about it?

 

[SC Minnie]

I work a part time job at a craft store and people still do write checks. I don't use checks when shopping anymore but still write a check and mail in payments for bills.