Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for January 03, 2018

Do people still write checks at stores?

Europe went check-free several years ago. I wonder when they will stop using cash, too.

And in Europe their credit cards don’t have magnetic strips. Can’t use yours either their machines don’t take them.

I used to like the days when it would take a couple of days for a check to clear.

The person who can’t fill out the check as groceries are being scanned, also cannot insert their credit card correctly into the machine. You’ll always have to be patient with that person.

2017? How about 1918?

If it had already cleared why did he have to mention the date? It wasn’t necessary. In fact it is rude.

Please note. Cash transactions leave no electronic trail. I suppose there are still those who like to be anonymous in today’s eavesdrop world.

We pay all of our utility bills and such with a check and restaurants and such with cash. The debit card only gets used at gas stations and the grocery store. Any large purchases are made on the credit card which is paid off at the end of the month.

…as if you’re not being photographed by the security camera behind the register, and 3-4 cameras per block when you’re outside.

Using cash makes it a little more difficult.

Typically, I will use the card for restaurant food but tip in cash. Certain savvy servers appreciate it.I also pay certain tradesmen in cash. I’ve noticed better service afterwards.

Just checked (no pun intended) I wrote all of two checks in 2017. One to get our drain cleaned out, and one for auto registration (yes, cash or check only)

Two other things that slow lines down are people with rewards cards having to be coached on when to swipe them and what box to check, and fussing over using or getting points, and retired geezers whose main entertainment is playing certain lottery numbers or scratching ten tickets while holding up the line.

When I worked retail, credit card “stubs” came with carbon paper in between. The carbon paper (bearing card number, expiry and patron’s signature) went into the garbage. There was no security problems because we had to see the actual card before accepting it. Not only have thieves got smarter since then, but security has got a lot stupider!

I live on the south Oregon coast. The DMV offices take cash and checks only. I don’t carry that kind of cash so I write a check at the DMV office for my annual tags. The chip readers in our credit card machines still don’t work. People wonder why I claim to live in Mayberry, RFD!!

Arlo, retired, retired today.