LBS --- Accept Checks?
#76
Senior Member
They really were inconvenient as hell. The biggest problems were trying to find someone who'd make change for them and if they accidentally got wet, they were instantly voided. If you spilled something on your wallet for example, you were SOL. I'm pretty sure I haven't seen one since the early 1980s.
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#77
Full Member
My LBS still takes my checks. If I`m getting checked out by one of the younger employees I get some strange looks, but they still accept my check.
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#78
Senior Member
Cash, checks, credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, Bitcoin.... you people are all behind the times!
The microchip implants that let you pay with your hand - BBC News
The microchip implants that let you pay with your hand - BBC News
That was an option when I got my first Covid shot. Wasn't it for you? It requires a hand held scanner by the clerk. It can be a problem if you're getting a message through the chip when you're trying to make a payment at the same time. A lot of people are saying it will be improved with an update soon.
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#79
Senior Member
I'm able to do most credit card transactions via ApplePay on my watch. So it's sort of a non-implanted chip.
Some merchants *still* don't take contactless payments unfortunately (Home Depot).
Many / most full service restaurants also remain unequipped to handle contactless here in the US.
Some merchants *still* don't take contactless payments unfortunately (Home Depot).
Many / most full service restaurants also remain unequipped to handle contactless here in the US.
#80
Senior Member
I'm able to do most credit card transactions via ApplePay on my watch. So it's sort of a non-implanted chip.
Some merchants *still* don't take contactless payments unfortunately (Home Depot).
Many / most full service restaurants also remain unequipped to handle contactless here in the US.
Some merchants *still* don't take contactless payments unfortunately (Home Depot).
Many / most full service restaurants also remain unequipped to handle contactless here in the US.
#82
Senior Member
I say one thing though - during the height of the pandemic it sure was handy having a liquor store with a drive-thru window that took applepay. Priorities.
#83
Senior Member
#84
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#85
I carried traveler's checks when my wife, kids and I did year of world traveling in 1998/99. I seem to recall, we did use some of them, but it was credit cards and atms 99% of the time. I think we took traveler's checks just because we hadn't done any international travel since the 80s and really didn't know what to expect. In the 70 and mostly through the 80s, definitely used traveler's checks all the time when traveling.
When I went to Italy in 2013 I brought only my cards.
#87
Invariably, they are all in line in front of me at the checkout. To conserve ink, they also never put in any of the details beforehand, and they are very careful, slow, and methodical. They dot every T and cross their I's. Then they check it over several times, before they hand over the check, again in slow motion.
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#88
Tragically Ignorant
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IKR. I did a 7 week bike tour in Spain in ‘00. Based on my European travel in the 80s I took a lot of money in the form of TCs. Came back with most of it. ATMs were everywhere. Even in tiny hamlets in the south. I went to a bank in Córdoba to cash some TCs. The employee rolled his eyes at me and started rooting through a desk drawer for the paperwork. The cool thing back then was that the exchange rate was better if you used plastic because you got the commercial rate.
When I went to Italy in 2013 I brought only my cards.
When I went to Italy in 2013 I brought only my cards.
They still exist. Go figure:
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/t...elers-cheques/
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
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Can't say that I've checked with the couple of local shops, for whether they accept personal checks. I do cash, myself.
#90
Full Member
No, they kind a look at it like it`s currency from a strange foreign country, or like I`m trying to pay my bill with Monopoly money.
I kind a know the owner. I`ve been going to the same shop for decades. I usually have say get or call the owner , and he`ll tell you it`s all OK.
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Here`s another bit of info I`m sure you`ll all get a good laugh over...........
I don`t have a cell phone or credit card!
#91
Shawn of the Dead
I pay the mortgage and utilities by check but thats about it.
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#92
#93
The local bar in Philly I have been going to for nearly 30 years is still cash only. And it's not uncommon for smaller businesses in town to have a minimum purchase amount for card transactions. Usually ranges between $5 and $10.
#95
I write fewer and fewer checks these days as most of my bills are paid online, or with credit cards when I can get away with it. Realize that it costs the merchant money to accept a credit card.
I just purchased a very expensive bike and I wrote a check for it. Why? Because my LBS gave me a 2% discount to pay in cash instead of via credit card. Rather than bring them thousands of dollars in cash, I was willing to bring them a cashier's check. They said a personal check was OK.
So, I saved $250 by writing my check.
I just purchased a very expensive bike and I wrote a check for it. Why? Because my LBS gave me a 2% discount to pay in cash instead of via credit card. Rather than bring them thousands of dollars in cash, I was willing to bring them a cashier's check. They said a personal check was OK.
So, I saved $250 by writing my check.
#96
Senior Member
#97
Tragically Ignorant
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