Grocery Checkout Fiasco

Photo: Ruben A. Navarrete

Since I work part-time, I usually rush home from work to relieve one of my two babysitters. Then I take the older kids out with me to run errands. Today we had one hour to buy groceries for the week before the other babysitter had to leave. I had two of my girls with me, and we rushed through each aisle, selecting every item on my imaginary list. I gave the girls one instruction on the way into the store: "DO NOT ASK ME FOR ANYTHING. Instead, if there is something you like or want, ask me if it is on the grocery list."

We made it through the entire store in good time and without tears or tantrums. And checking out proceeded smoothly, considering the volume of food loaded on the belt. Of course, my 4-year-old was loudly repeating to everyone how much food we had and how we were going to use up all the grocery bags! And at one point, I overheard one of my girls explaining to the cashier where we live. I politely interrupted my sweet daughter and told her to stop telling strangers how to get to her house!

Finally, I handed the cashier my few dollars' worth of diaper coupons and awaited my subtotal. I reached for my debit card to complete the transaction, but it was nowhere to be found! There were many people behind me in line likely already annoyed with my lengthy checkout. But when I realized I had no debit card to pay with, I asked the cashier to put my order on hold. As I kept searching my bag, I saw that I could pay by check! Who does that anymore? But it was my only option. And as I waited for the cashier to finish ringing up everyone else, I even found more coupons for my order. 

Finally, it was my turn again, so I handed her my check. She said: "checks usually get denied here, but let's try it anyway." A few seconds later, she informed me that the check was denied. She gave me the denial code and phone number to call some check verification company. I had no other option, so I called it and the automated system told me that the amount of my purchase appeared that I was fraudulently using a check. I was able to transfer over to customer service and speak with someone about my situation. He kindly verified all my personal information and updated the system. But unfortunately, he could not authorize use of checks at this store because it takes 7 days to process. I explained to him that I had a cart overflowing with groceries for a family of seven, and I had two young children shopping with me; I had no other option but to buy the food immediately. He was sorry for the inconvenience but unable to help me any further! I'm sure he does not know that talking on the phone with young children in the room is nearly impossible, but somehow we finished the conversation with me only asking him to repeat himself about five times.

As I marched over to the store manager with my cart full of unpaid groceries, my 4-year-old was sitting on the floor crying because I was "walking away from her." She had taken her shoes off during this whole ordeal, so she was supposed to put them back on and follow me to see the manager. Both of my daughters were well past the point of being bored and ansy, but somehow, they were quiet enough for me to speak with the manager. "I shop here all the time, but I can't find my debit card, so I am trying to pay with this check, which was denied, and I have to leave here with these groceries--I promise the check won't bounce." She suggested that I call the bank, but I told her I do not have time nor do I have the bank's phone number. Thankfully, she thought of a way to take care of it, which I did not understand. But I agreed thankfully and rushed home with my girls and groceries!