check out lines

[gja1000]

There are a few things that bother me about check out lines! The first one started a few years ago, when everyone was writing checks. We had our own business when I was growing up, so I know that to deposit a check given to you by someone else, we would have to stamp our business name/address on the back of the check. We had an ink stamper and I would do that before mom/dad took the deposit to the bank. Of course, we didn't have very many checks, it was a small town gas station.

OK transition to the busy grocery store in a big city. A few years ago (when everyone was still writing checks) they came out with a machine that the cashiers ran the check through - takes 30 seconds or so, maybe a bit longer and it endorses the check so the person (like me years ago) doesn't have to do it prior to sending the checks to the bank. But the added time it takes to do that irritates me, especially when everyone in front of me was writing checks. I think they should have someone in the back that does that as their job, so customers don't have to stand in line waiting for something that could be done later. I know, I know, it's just a small amount of time, but it still irritates me. I think the process to check if the check is "good" is probably accomplished at that time - but it still irritates me!

The other thing that really irritates me is when I pay cash for something and the clerk hands me back my silver/paper money and the receipt all at the same time - just plops all 3 of them in my hand all stacked together. Then I have my purse and my billfold, and maybe even my bag that I just bought, all at the same time and I am trying to figure out how to get the silver change in the zip pouch on the back of the wallet, the dollar bills in the bill slot in my wallet, and the receipt SOMEWHERE - hopefully in the purchase bag. It makes me just want to throw everything into the bag, which I sometimes do.

I know these are small irritants, but irritants to me, none-the-less.

[Janet]

I'm with you on the change thing. It also bothers me that they lay the bills in my hand, then the change and then the receipt. I would much rather have the change, and then the bills and reciept. There have been times at drive through windows, I've let the change fall on purpose and then explain to the cashier that they should put the change in the hand first.

[judy]

There are rarely lines up here. Now that it's warmer, weekenders are coming, so weekends are a bad time to go shopping. There was a mega annoying woman in front of me yesterday - something about doing a credit instead of a debit on her bank card to save $3.00. Not that I blame her, but the cashier was a young girl who really wasn't focusing on her. I don't blame the cashier either. The customer was way too hyper to pay attention to. This is rare up here. I usually grab one of the gossip magazines to see whether Brangelina are divorcing yet, or who is in rehab this week. I'm retired, so no more rushing.

In NYC though, I finally just took a stand and would not even move out of the way until I had my change, bills and receipt where I wanted them, my wallet back in my bag, and I was holding my car keys. I probably really annoyed a lot of people, but I agree with you. I hated being rushed off before I was all together. As soon as the receipt was in my hand, the cashier was ringing up the next person's stuff.

And, why did they insist on handing me my shopping bags before I even put the change away? That's when I became one of those rude women who held up the line.

Nobody used checks in NYC on the line. They did have to go to customer service for that.

I am so glad I live here!!!

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by gja1000

..........The other thing that really irritates me is when I pay cash for something and the clerk hands me back my silver/paper money and the receipt all at the same time - just plops all 3 of them in my hand all stacked together. Then I have my purse and my billfold, and maybe even my bag that I just bought, all at the same time and I am trying to figure out how to get the silver change in the zip pouch on the back of the wallet, the dollar bills in the bill slot in my wallet, and the receipt SOMEWHERE - hopefully in the purchase bag. It makes me just want to throw everything into the bag, which I sometimes do.

I know these are small irritants, but irritants to me, none-the-less.

I agree with this. I always feel rushed to move out of the way as soon as I have my money. Another peeve is not having my cash counted back to me. That not only makes sure that I got the correct change back but also makes sure that they're not short in their drawer.

Something I've been doing lately is thanking the cashiers for checking the signature on my credit card. They are usually very apologetic about it but I let them know that I appreciate it because it's for my best interest.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by DianaB

Something I've been doing lately is thanking the cashiers for checking the signature on my credit card. They are usually very apologetic about it but I let them know that I appreciate it because it's for my best interest.

OH! Me too - I always say thank you for checking my signature or matching me to the picture on my drivers license!!! I don't mind taking time for things that could save me a world of headache (someone other than me having my card).

[Blueyes]

Originally Posted by gja1000

OH! Me too - I always say thank you for checking my signature or matching me to the picture on my drivers license!!! I don't mind taking time for things that could save me a world of headache (someone other than me having my card).

Ha!! Me too!! I always thank them. Hopefully a lot of people do!

[judy]

They don't check anything here! I think it's because everyone pretty much knows each other. As a newcomer, they already know me.

I really do live in the boonies!

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by judy

They don't check anything here! I think it's because everyone pretty much knows each other. As a newcomer, they already know me.

I really do live in the boonies!

That's the way it is where I grew up and I can still go back and almost everyone knows me or I just say XXX is my brother (he still lives there) and I have instant credibility!

[Marilyn]

I so share the pain each of you have espressed. People are so intollerant these days. I try not to put too much pressure on the person ahead of me in line when they get to the register. I so hate people pressuring me. How much more time does it take anyway to put your change away. Also, in Europe it was so different. The cashier would get frustrated if you did not take the time to give them correct change if you had it. They would ask you, don't you have correct change? Here, hardly anyone wants you to give them the correct change, it takes tooo much of their precious time for you to get that 14 cents out of your change compartment. I've been making it a point to giving correct change whenever I can. I'm tired of my purse getting so heavy with all the change and having it stashed in bowls and jars at home.