I see those machines quite often. Used them quite a bit too, but I usually prefer to handwrite the check [gasp!] because I use duplicate checks, and it's a lot easier to sync my bank's website with Quicken when every transaction has an individual ID number [check number].
Of course, I don't think it really speeds it up all *that* much, since you have to sign the check, give it to them, let them run it through, then verify it. And more than once I've been behind a dumbass who doesn't take out his or her credit/debit card until everything is rung up and bagged and s/he's given the total. Great time saving there.
Toting around the archaic checkbook has helped out twice, though. Twice when I was at Lowe's Foods there was a storm and the neighbourhood's power went out, so they were running on emergency generators, enough to light the store and keep the coolers running. No registers, no card machines. The two people with cash paid and left, I wrote a check and left, the five people who only had plastic had to wait another 30 minutes for power to come back, or leave without their groceries.
That said, I sometimes have cash, and usually have a checkbook, debit card, and credit card. I use different methods in different scenarios, but as I said, I like the trackability of the checkbook.
I saw this the other day--I was at a fast food place, wendy's or mcd's or something. First, who isnt' at least somewhat familiar with their menu? Anyway, there was a bit of a line, 3 or 4 people in each line, though it was moving fast. So the guy in the line beside me...*waits* until he gets to the register to start looking at the menu and deciding what he wants. Hello, you're allowed to look at that huge menu on the wall before you get up there.
Eating or drinking while working: Especially in retail I understand it, as long as the person puts the job first--don't ignore me because you're eating, and don't get pizza sauce on my stuff. When I managed a C-store, I was the only one in the store from 7 am till about 3 PM, so I ate two "meals" [usually consisting of caffeine, chocolate, and chips] behind the counter, unless someone brought me some drive-thru which was eaten behind the counter as well.
At the call center I work at now, we've had people milk the clock; they'd just stay clocked in and keep working, without it being needed or approved. The supervisors didn't pay very close attention; once they did, that stopped real quick [and the people are no longer with us].
Of course, I don't think it really speeds it up all *that* much, since you have to sign the check, give it to them, let them run it through, then verify it. And more than once I've been behind a dumbass who doesn't take out his or her credit/debit card until everything is rung up and bagged and s/he's given the total. Great time saving there.
Toting around the archaic checkbook has helped out twice, though. Twice when I was at Lowe's Foods there was a storm and the neighbourhood's power went out, so they were running on emergency generators, enough to light the store and keep the coolers running. No registers, no card machines. The two people with cash paid and left, I wrote a check and left, the five people who only had plastic had to wait another 30 minutes for power to come back, or leave without their groceries.
That said, I sometimes have cash, and usually have a checkbook, debit card, and credit card. I use different methods in different scenarios, but as I said, I like the trackability of the checkbook.
I saw this the other day--I was at a fast food place, wendy's or mcd's or something. First, who isnt' at least somewhat familiar with their menu? Anyway, there was a bit of a line, 3 or 4 people in each line, though it was moving fast. So the guy in the line beside me...*waits* until he gets to the register to start looking at the menu and deciding what he wants. Hello, you're allowed to look at that huge menu on the wall before you get up there.
Eating or drinking while working: Especially in retail I understand it, as long as the person puts the job first--don't ignore me because you're eating, and don't get pizza sauce on my stuff. When I managed a C-store, I was the only one in the store from 7 am till about 3 PM, so I ate two "meals" [usually consisting of caffeine, chocolate, and chips] behind the counter, unless someone brought me some drive-thru which was eaten behind the counter as well.
At the call center I work at now, we've had people milk the clock; they'd just stay clocked in and keep working, without it being needed or approved. The supervisors didn't pay very close attention; once they did, that stopped real quick [and the people are no longer with us].