I approached a line to check out and my husband was two people ahead of me, already scanned, cart all loaded, but he had a look of dismay as he stood there. I waved to get his attention. He didn't see me, but the clerk did. He was upset because his bank debit card was rejected - twice and he didn't know why. He told the clerk he'd have to wait for me and my card. She then pointed to me and he told me his problem. The man behind him was nice, waiting with only one item and not fussing at all. I moved forward, dug out my card and, it too, was rejected! I just said, "No problem, I'll write a check," and did so, and handed it to the clerk. She asked to see my driver's license photo - OK that was good. She then scanned my check and - GAVE IT BACK TO ME! It was just an electronic transaction, she said. The most ironic thing is, that I almost never carry my checkbook with me and did that morning. I have no idea why I stuffed it into my small purse, but how convenient that I did! On a day when it was needed!
Meanwhile the man between us just chuckled and waited patiently. He then checked out his meager purchase, paid with cash, moved on, and I unloaded my cart. When it came time to pay, I had to write another check, present it, and have it handed back to me. Meanwhile, the line behind me was growing quite lengthy! I couldn't wait to get out of there.
To the bank and then home we headed, still a bit rattled. The clerk at our lovely small hometown bank told us that the whole system was shut down for a while and was undergoing upgrades, BUT....it was up and running now!
Part 2. The PLUS
Our fourth grade grandson's class experienced the joy of talking with other fourth grade students in TEXAS on a live videoconference via webcam and skype connection. Their experience was published in the local paper. I've attached the link to the article here. It was a very good experience for all of them.
Check out the report. I found it very innovative and good for the youth of today. (you may have to copy and paste address in a separate web address line)
http://www.northjersey.com/community/announcements/138182249_Young_Giants_fans_and_Cowboy_fans_seeing_eye_to_eye.html
It wipes out our embarassing experience.
What luck that you had your checkbook with you!
ReplyDeleteEven though I have a debit card I always try to use cash.
ReplyDeletePretty cool for your grandson.
Gosh..if it helps, while I was reading this, I felt everything you felt. Whew!
ReplyDeleteAwesome activity for the children~!
I have had that happen with my debit card, but for another reason.....my bank caught someone in New York trying to buy a plane ticket with my debit card number. They knew I NEVER leave the area, much less the state, so they knew it had been stolen and stopped the transaction and cancelled my debit card. They had left me a message on my answering machine, which I never took the time to check. I just had to leave my purchase because I didn't THINK about using a check....I was too shaken.
ReplyDeleteAs for Skype and talking to kids in other states....my son had a friend that was a girl that lived in New York state that he met through another friend over the cell phone. They started texting, then started talking over the cell phones, then had a "date" every Friday night on Skype where they watched a movie together on my son's tv. That relationship lasted until my son met another girl here....then an in person relationship won out over the virtual one.