I’m pissed

[f6john]

I have a very short fuse when it comes to stupid. You guys feel free to tell me I’m off base on this. Due to buying a house before I sell my existing home the banker who is handling the new house tells me I need to pay off all my credit accounts, Discover, Lowe’s, Home Depot and not make any new purchases until after closing on the new house. Done. I still have several thousand dollars worth of material to buy for my existing home before I put it on the market. Started writing checks for the items I need so I will have a record other than some thin receipt that fades over time. Simple right?

I go to Lowe’s today to buy stuff for my kitchen and it comes to $296.41. Write the check and the cashier runs it through the little machine and my check is declined. Say what! Well she trys again and then informs me and about 10 other customers that it was declined again. The register spits out a foot long message for me about what I can do if I’m so inclined. I was inclined to pitch it in the trash. So now I’m pissed at my bank figuring they have messed something up.

I leave Lowe’s and drive directly to the bank to straighten this out! The bank then informs me that there is no problem, no holds, and no reason why the check would not be accepted. Well that didn’t help because now I didn’t have a reason for the problem. I go back to Lowe’s to speak to a manager. I explain to him my situation for not using my Lowe’s card and could he not just call the bank to verify the funds so I could get my stuff and go. Understand, that once Lowe’s came to our small town they are about the only game in town for a lot of things.

Manager on duty comes back out and says they can’t call to verify funds and that the company that handles their check transactions has the only and final say in accepting a check! I had written a couple of checks in the last few days that were accepted so I was a little bumbfuzzeled. I told him he had just lost a long time customer and he was well aware I was an unhappy camper.

On my way out the cashier once again handed me the footlong receipt which I accepted because I was curious what the check authorization company would say. I called the 800 number and got the computer generated person on the other end and I had to answer questions about my account number, routing number, check number and on and on. When I’m done answering the questions, the voice comes back on and says, we can’t find that transaction!!!  You got to be kidding me, but one of my options was to start over and since I’m subject to make a mistake from time to time I figured I must have gave some incorrect info. So I go through the whole spiel again and at the end the voice says, we can’t find that transaction! Really! I do get offered another option, speak to a representative. Yes! So after the usual time on hold a young lady comes on and asks if she can help. I hope so!! But I have to go through all the same questions and answers that the computer generated voice wanted. Lo and behold she finds the transaction in question, we talk and I’m not happy with her responses and ask for a supervisor! On hold again!!! 45 minutes into this call and the supervisor tells me the same as the girl before. They have no contact with any banking institutions  and they do not verify any funds. They have a computer program that uses an algorithm to determine whether to accept a check or not and my check was deemed as “risky”. I expressed my amazement and displeasure before ending my call.

I called Lowe’s corporate and expressed my feelings. They were “sorry” but no solution for my situation. Now I have to drive past 25 miles to Home Depot, I sure hope that they don’t use the same check authorization service. I did have a local Lowe’s manager call and express his sympathy for my problem but had no solutions either. A few hours have passed and I’m a lot calmer than before but I’m still pissed!

[old2soon]

I am at a loss but in todays society you would Think and Hope that they would check the actual Balance involved. Maybe the other checks were run thru the same outfit and That be the HOW of no go on the Loews check? RIDE SAFE. P S-turn the Serk loose on em! 

[bill-jr]

Just use your cc and payoff on your phone as your leaving the parking lot 

[Bighead]

Sounds as Lowes lost a good customer to me......I understand your frustration though. I wouldnt set foot back in there unless there was a full apology and a 15% of of my purchase.

[Serk]

P S-turn the Serk loose on em! 

A check? I think I saw a show about those on The History Channel once...

(But yeah, no idea I'm afraid. Do you have a debit card linked to your checking account per chance? Those tend to work a lot better than the crap shoot of writing a check and hoping the system will smile on you.)

[Robert]

First cash is king, second I could give you a whole song and dance about cc companies and the check verification companies. Its really not Lowe's that is responsible, corp picks a company to verify checks and then they all use them. Not really worth getting pissed about really. I know its frustrating but you could have pulled the money on debit card at lowes, written yourself a check and chased it or just pulled the money out and gave it to them. Would have been less frustrating and time wasting.

With the advent of debit cards and the problem with checks no one really likes taking them anymore. They can be stopped for no reason then you are forced to fight for your money. While debit is like paying cash, I wonder which one they would rather take?
A debit card tied to your checking account will be no problem to the banks either. Just make sure thats all it is and you will be fine.

 I know jumping through hoops is frustrating especially with banks and sometimes they make you feel like a deadbeat. But hope everything goes ok for the new purchase along with fixing the old.

[Pete]

I suspect that when you paid off the card accounts (in a short time) it set a flag for the check certify-er.
In addition if you have multiple checking accounts - do not tell you loan bank - the will want it closed or the ability to monitor it, while the loan is in process.

[f6john]

I mentioned a debit card to my wife and she thinks it’s voodoo. After the house closing I’ll go back to my old ways but probably not Lowe’s.

Cash may be king but I see the day coming when it will be questionable. Already a lot of places that say nothing larger than $20.00 bills.

My rant was more about the check business I suppose as I had no idea they had no connection to any financial institutions to make their up or down calls. My problem with Lowe’s is that they could not find a way to accommodate me when they knew the check was good.

I was the manager of a local lumber yard for 20 years in this town and if this situation had come to my attention then and I didn’t find a way to make it happen I would have been looking for a new job.

I know different times, there were no check verification business then.

[f6john]

Forgot to mention, the house I’m buying is owned by the mother of the Lowe’s store manager in Richmond. I thought that was going to be a good contact for me there, he’s a real nice guy, not so sure that will matter anymore. Luckily, a lot more choices in Lexington and Richmond to spend your money or checks as the case may be.

[Rams]

Had a similar problem once, so I used my Lowes credit card and immediately took the receipt to the customer service area and wrote a check payment for the full amount and got the 5% discount.

Rams

[Bighead]

Why does the spousal unit think a debit card is VooDoo?

[Bighead]

Forgot to mention, the house I’m buying is owned by the mother of the Lowe’s store manager in Richmond. I thought that was going to be a good contact for me there, he’s a real nice guy, not so sure that will matter anymore. Luckily, a lot more choices in Lexington and Richmond to spend your money or checks as the case may be.

I have a good friend that works at the Ace in Richmond......I know they dont have all that Lowes does but you can get a lot of your needs there.

[Rams]

Both debit card and cash is normally accepted.

Rams

[John Schmidt]

Are you perchance a military vet? Just register for a VA ID card and you get 10% off every day of the week. You have to fill out Lowe's little form but for the time involved it sure has saved me a bundle. As for using a debit card, I've never had a problem with it, been using one for years and do all my banking online. I can pay all my monthly bills in less time than most people can write a couple checks and seal the envelope.

[f6john]

Why does the spousal unit think a debit card is VooDoo?

According to her, debit cards are the worst for identity  thieves. I don’t know and don’t care at this point ,I don’t need another card to deal with. Pay most of my bills online during normal times and will continue that when everything is settled. I usually don’t write 10 checks a year.

[f6john]

Are you perchance a military vet? Just register for a VA ID card and you get 10% off every day of the week. You have to fill out Lowe's little form but for the time involved it sure has saved me a bundle. As for using a debit card, I've never had a problem with it, been using one for years and do all my banking online. I can pay all my monthly bills in less time than most people can write a couple checks and seal the envelope.

You know they have updated that process now. I registered online and now you just tell them you receive the military discount and all they ask for is your phone number! Dang I’m going to miss that too‼️

[f6john]

Forgot to mention, the house I’m buying is owned by the mother of the Lowe’s store manager in Richmond. I thought that was going to be a good contact for me there, he’s a real nice guy, not so sure that will matter anymore. Luckily, a lot more choices in Lexington and Richmond to spend your money or checks as the case may be.

I have a good friend that works at the Ace in Richmond......I know they dont have all that Lowes does but you can get a lot of your needs there.

I’ve been there a couple of times once to get some chrome bolts for a Valkyrie Windshield I was selling. It’s closer to me than the Lowe’s store but not by much. I’m sure I’ll be a regular there once I get moved.

[Robert]

Debit cards have the same guarantees as credit cards, meaning if there is fraud you are covered. If someone gets your number and charges something, you can refuse the charges and get the money back. If you have a couple of checking accounts keep a limited amount of money in the account that has the debit card and use that with the debit card. That way your main account is still ok if someone gets your card and you can even freeze or change the account number without it affecting your main account. Its as close to having cash on you as possible without carrying cash. You even have a pin number to use on charges if you want or use it as a regular charge card.

The credit card processing companies most businesses use have no connection to banks either. Their fee is anywhere between 1.5 percent and 3 percent of every credit card transaction. 

[f6john]

Had a similar problem once, so I used my Lowes credit card and immediately took the receipt to the customer service area and wrote a check payment for the full amount and got the 5% discount.

Rams

I considered that but I’m trying to keep the slate as clean as possible. Surely you’re getting the 10% discount now!?

[f6john]

Debit cards have the same guarantees as credit cards, meaning if there is fraud you are covered. If someone gets your number and charges something, you can refuse the charges and get the money back. If you have a couple of checking accounts keep a limited amount of money in the account that has the debit card and use that with the debit card. That way your main account is still ok if someone gets your card and you can even freeze or change the account number without it affecting your main account.  

Can I give you my wife’s number so you can splaine it to her?

[Robert]

Debit cards have the same guarantees as credit cards, meaning if there is fraud you are covered. If someone gets your number and charges something, you can refuse the charges and get the money back. If you have a couple of checking accounts keep a limited amount of money in the account that has the debit card and use that with the debit card. That way your main account is still ok if someone gets your card and you can even freeze or change the account number without it affecting your main account.  

Can I give you my wife’s number so you can splaine it to her?

Sorry I have my own  

have your wife call the bank and put it on them to explain it to her   

[Serk]

Debit cards have the same guarantees as credit cards, meaning if there is fraud you are covered. If someone gets your number and charges something, you can refuse the charges and get the money back. If you have a couple of checking accounts keep a limited amount of money in the account that has the debit card and use that with the debit card. That way your main account is still ok if someone gets your card and you can even freeze or change the account number without it affecting your main account.  

Can I give you my wife’s number so you can splaine it to her?

Not for now, but once things settle - Set up a 2nd checking account, and get a debit card against it. When you're about to use it, whip out your phone, transfer over the amount needed for that purchase, then make the purchase.

That way even if things went absolutely haywire, there'd only be the amount you put in the debit card linked account at risk.

(Having said all that, we don't do that, we've had our debit card id stolen multiple times, and every time the bank had refunded every last cent within an hour or so of it being reported.)

(I know, I know, this was a rant thread, not a looking for advice thread... Can't help myself... )

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

My wife works at a Lowes store here in MA, and did work in the customer service area for awhile. One of the things that did frustrate her was that Lowes corporate has policies that can not be bypassed by any level of management, up to and including the owner of the store (if not owned by Lowes themselves). In some situations, their hands are tied, and they would be unable to accommodate their biggest customer. Not the mom-and-pop store feel, but that's the rules to have a franchise. Your anger is understandable, but you're only really going to punish yourself if you drive way out of your way to go somewhere else. If the manager was an ass, sure, but if they were really apologetic, there was nothing they could do.

While I still prefer cash whenever and wherever possible, debit cards are not a bad thing. Immediate access to your bank account, PIN protected, and just as safe as any other method of payment. Any scammer that can get your debit info can get your credit account(s) info, and checks have your bank's routing number and your account number printed right on them. With your signature!!

Take a breath. Life's too short to hold on to the stress. A year from now, the house dealings will hopefully be done, and this will be an insignificant point in the process. Don't let it eat at ya. It's just not worth it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My wife works at a Lowes store here in MA, and did work in the customer service area for awhile. One of the things that did frustrate her was that Lowes corporate has policies that can not be bypassed by any level of management, up to and including the owner of the store (if not owned by Lowes themselves). In some situations, their hands are tied, and they would be unable to accommodate their biggest customer. Not the mom-and-pop store feel, but that's the rules to have a franchise. Your anger is understandable, but you're only really going to punish yourself if you drive way out of your way to go somewhere else. If the manager was an ass, sure, but if they were really apologetic, there was nothing they could do.

While I still prefer cash whenever and wherever possible, debit cards are not a bad thing. Immediate access to your bank account, PIN protected, and just as safe as any other method of payment. Any scammer that can get your debit info can get your credit account(s) info, and checks have your bank's routing number and your account number printed right on them. With your signature!!

Take a breath. Life's too short to hold on to the stress. A year from now, the house dealings will hopefully be done, and this will be an insignificant point in the process. Don't let it eat at ya. It's just not worth it.

Interesting. I didn't realize some of them were franchises.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Interesting. I didn't realize some of them were franchises.

I didn't think so either until she mentioned one day that the store owner came in for a visit. I asked her and she said that yes, it was owned by a local person.

[Crackerborn]

Some suggested that cash is king? Two large franchises in the area will accept neither check or cash for any purchase over x dollars. And try to pay a motel or car rental with the folding green...... good luck. I stiil write at least 5 checks a year to the same bandits, the IRS and always on the last possible day.    

[KUGO]

I, too, use a debit card whenever possible.  I haven't used a CC since 1984.  If I don't have the money, I don't buy it.  More personal quirk than advice.  I used to travel a lot.  The only occasional problem I had with debit cards, even with VISA/MC/AMEX backing and imprint on the card, was that some of the nicer hotels, especially internationals, wouldn't always accept them.  I always carried extra cash as backup, so could usually get around that by just giving them a cash-advance at the front desk.  That satisfied them for room service, spa, etc.  Or, if carrying extra cash wasn't wise, I could use the hotel ATM to take care of things to their satisfaction.  (Make sure you adjust your withdrawal limits before you leave home!!)  I only mention this because the first time I was denied my room at a hotel I had reserved well in advance (with a surprise "debit cards not accepted" sign at the front desk) caused me some grief and embarrassment that wasn't necessary.  If I'd known.  Traveling is one of the best ways to educate yourself, in so many ways!  

(Edit: I meant to mention that car rentals can be a challenge with debit cards, as well.  If you know you're going to need one, call the rental company in advance and ask for their procedures for debit cards vs. credit cards.  It can be done.  -KUGO)

[Alpha Dog]

Why does the spousal unit think a debit card is VooDoo?

Possibly because Clark Howard has been saying for years not to use them as they have a 16 times better chance for identity theft.  Also if there is a dispute on your bill you can deal with the matter much easier with a credit card.

[Pete]

Debit cards typically us a 4 digit pin number.

DOES ANYONE HERE think that is a secure code for anything??

1 thing worse that a debit card is a credit card that is also a debit card and has the 4 digit pin security code.

On the multiple separate checking account use, just be aware that multiple accounts with the same bank offer limited protection - as the bank can attach funds for any account to settle issues with  another account - read your banking agreement, most tell you that.

[bscrive]

I have been using a debit card since they came out, oh so many years ago.  I have never had any issue with it.  I have never had money taken out that shouldn't have been.  Just don't put your PIN number on the card.  Even with the TAP pay that they have now, if you loose your card, someone can only put up to $100 each TAP and you can lower that to whatever you wish.  I hardly ever have cash on me and I never use cheques anymore.