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On July 21, 2016 early in the morning I stopped at Menards to purchase a few thing for my crews on that day. This is not out of the ordinary as we make purchases on a regular basis at that store early in the morning in the summer. After running my check twice the cashier handed it back to me and said the check was declined by Certegy with no explanation. The cashier was an experience employee at the store and she was as embarrassed as I was. Upon leaving the store I called the number printed on the back of the check and was lead through a long list of information by a computer generated voice, some of the information I did not know. After 5 minutes of attempting to get some information I went on line and found a different number and called that number. It was answered by a person who then began to ask questions that I feel were not relevant to the situation like DL#, address, what was purchased etc. Then asked bank numbers and account numbers and purchase amount, which I did not have because there was no purchase. After 15 minutes she came back to explain that in the age of computers most store do not have the time to call on every check so they set up models that will show a possible fraudulent check and account. The three listed were 1. check number 2. check amount 3. type of purchase, well there was nothing different on this day than any other of the 3 purchases that I made this wee. We had ample funds in our account. This decision was made not based on our ability to pay but some model which has to be flawed. They also said that each transaction is evaluated at the time so this does not mean they will not take our check the next time. We will see called my bank to ask for a debt card to this does not happen again. This type of profiling would not be tolerated base on skin color or religion or etc. Why is it legal to profile normal everyday citizens and embarrass them in front of a store full of people and stain their reputation ?
Actually I did not even get the amount as I handed the check to the cashier just as she finished and she ran the check just like the other 2000 times in the last 7 years at that store. And by the way with the same bank account, same type and style of checks, and many times the same cashier. So if it could have looked like fraud somebody's technology is very flawed. This is just as bad as racial profiling.
Three words: Bad check fraud. That is why it is legal. Asking for your account number, DL number, and purchase amount are reasonable questions. You did know the account number, and the purchase amount because you stood at the register with the check and heard her tell you how much you owed.
Every single cashier at every single store in this country will tell you how much you owe even if you are shoving your money/check/card in their face. Honestly, if you are shoving a check at someone before they even tell you how much you owe, you are being rude. And it does not matter how many times you have given a check to the same cashier, she does not clear your checks. The check verifying company does. No matter how many checks you write, eventually you get caught in the net. Answer their questions, and get out of the net. Or come here and look like a dunce for complaining then refusing to cooperate.
F..u..c..k Menards
On behalf of retail workers everywhere, as well as fellow shoppers, I implore you: STOP USING CHECKS! It is 2016, not 1986. Even if you fill it out before hand, most places have to scan them to check for funds and enter all your information into the system. Seriously, next time you whip out your checkbook in line, look behind you. Everyone is rolling their eyes and looking for another open register. They are way less secure than debit cards. There is NO reason anyone should be using those anymore.
Well you obviously have no experience with money management with some accounts it's necessary or simply much easier to have a check book. Small businesses like my own, use them for purchases made before a scheduled draw and payroll. Some times it's just as easy to have some for your personal account, just Incase a situation like you're card being lost or stolen and you need to purchase before your replacement card is delivered from the main office. So you inconsiderate, impatient, millennial, Learn to have some consideration and don't insult people who don't have a phone, watch, and 15 other devices with 30 accounts from all your hobbies and gigs you do to afford $160 ripped jeans & $9 secret handshake coffee each morning.