Automatic Withdrawls...Good or Bad??
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
August 19, 2007 8:14am CST
We've recently had a couple stores, Walmart being one, that have started a new thing. When you write a check they run it through and then give it back to you and you sign a ticket. It automatically withdraws it from your account. I don't like this. I feel like it is too easy to make a mistake and take out too much.
A year ago, I went through KFC/Taco Bell and my brother asked me if I could use my Debit card for his order. A day or two later I checked my checking account online and found out that instead of taking out $6.00 for the order they took out $18.00. When I called the bank they said they couldn't do anything and to call KFC/Taco Bell. I called them, they told me to call the owner. It took 4 days and about 6 phone calls all over Missouri to track him down. He told me he'd look into it. A week later I find out that the cashier swiped the card 3 times b/c she didn't think it had went through. KFC/Taco Bell finally put the money back but I probably had to spend that much to straighten it out.
I prefer to write a check that way I know I agreed to the purchase and the total. Besides I really hate anyone going into my account except me or hubby. What about you?
AT PEACE WITHIN
14 people like this
23 responses
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
20 Aug 07
I don't usually use cash b/c I never know how much I'll need and I hate to try to add things up in my head. I try to get used to using my Debit Card but most of the time I already have the check started before it occures to me LOL.
Thanks for Posting!
AT PEACE WITHIN
2 people like this
@TheCatzMeow1 (579)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I don't like that idea. I prefer to get cash from the bank and use that. Then if there's a mistake that I didn't catch at the register, I can go to the customer service line and get it straightened out there. I don't trust taking a chance with errors. If you get an overdraft due to something like this, it's more costly. I don't think I'll be taking advantage of this new fad.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Recently I've seen a few articles on the idea of using a thumbprint in place of checks, cards and even cash. You'd have the money in the bank, you'd have your thumbprint scanned at the registar and the amount is taken out of your account. I really don't like that idea...too big an area for errors. If I had to pick one, I'd rather go back to just cash and deal with that.
Thanks for Posting!
AT PEACE WITHIN
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
19 Aug 07
Well to be honest, I like the money coming out right then and there. It helps me to be able to keep up with the account and the budget.
I did once go to a restaurant and pay 180.00 for hot dogs, fries and cokes! It was to be 18.00 but the jerk added an extra "0" on it. I did not catch it until after we got home and I seen my receipt. Good thing I keep all of those until tax time. Well my bank also siad it was too early for them to do anything, so I called the restaurant and spoke with the manager. It took a day to have it fixed. So mine wasn't as hard of time to fix it.
My advice when dealing with this, keep your receipts.
Tip about Wal-Mart!!!---
Did you know if they over charge you on an item, they have to correct it AND remove $3.00 off your total purchase? Yep store policy. Some stores will hide the signs but look for them on the back of the light that tells you the number of isle you are at, at the service desk or under where you can slide your credit card through. They are red 8 X 10 signs that they display, but try not to do where you will see them so easily. At least some Wal-Mart will, but they have to honor it since it’s a Corporate Policy.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Oh boy, I would really wig out over something like that. Good thing they fixed it.
Yes I know about the Walmart thing...but here you almost have to fight with them before they do it and then you have to go through having to be re-rang up at the service desk. Alot of times it isn't worth all the aggrivation that goes with it.
Thanks for Posting!
AT PEACE WITHIN
@gingisnapz (738)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I work at Wal-mart. Actually, they don't have to re-ring it at the service desk. A Customer Service Manager can come to the register and fix it. Especially if it is caught before the transaction is finished, they can just void it off and ring it back in with the correct action code to give the $3.00 off.
Oh, and some of the older stores have the signs in black and white, too ;)
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
26 Aug 07
Ooh I don't like this. I never realized they do it that way. I never write checks at stores. Instead I use my debit card. It's the same as using a check except I see and control how much comes out of my acount because it comes up on the screen asking if this is the correct amount.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
24 Aug 07
Yes, I sometimes think these new things can lead to trouble... not for the banks, but for us, the little guy! :)
1 person likes this
@MakDomMom (1474)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Our WalMart recently changed that too. They don't even tell you that they will be doing that until after you write out the check, they run it through their machine as normal, then say "you need to sign this". They don't offer an expaination unless you ask why you are signing the slip of paper. I have even had one cashier tell me that I didn't need to write out the check - just tear it out and hand it over to her! There are not even signs posted or anything to let you know!
@venshida (4836)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I prefer checks because it seems like I keep better record. I always forget to write a transaction down when it is debit account transaction. I have never had any problems with the automatic debit process. I usually just make sure I don't lose the receipt. What I like about the way Walmart does it is that you not only have the check, but you also have a receipt so it is easy to track.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I think that walmart's thinking is that this is much easier for the customer and the store to have this service.
I don't write checks for anything. I always use my discover card for everything I purchase. I can review my statement and if there is something wrong, I call discover and they take care of it for me.
I hope that you got more than your money back from the kfc/tacobell. That is rediculous!
1 person likes this
@tinamwhite (3252)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I use my debit card most of the time...it is the same thing..
When they run your check...you sign a statement that tells you the total on the check...when you sign, you are agreeing that the total is correct....that you have agreed to the purchase...
It is an easy way for these stores to avoid receiving "bad checks"...by making this transaction immediate...they do not run the risk of loosing money...before they were not able to have this control....when they received a "bad check" they spent countless monies in attempting to retrieve their funds from people who obviously had financial issues to begin with....plus the only other thing that was available was to turn the check in to the County Procecuting Attorney for criminal prosecution...this would be a long and drawn out process for these business owners....
I understand why they do it that way now...it is just good business sense....
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
22 Aug 07
I have never had any problems with WalMart taking the wrong amount money out of my account. I do not have an ATM or Debit card. I pay most of my bills on line and have not had any problems. Good luck
1 person likes this
@kitty1234 (1476)
• United States
23 Aug 07
I prefer to use my debit card it is just as easy as writing a check. I know about the Walmart check system and so far it has worked for me without problem. I have never had a problem with my debit card, guess I must be lucky. I find it so much easier to balane my account with the debit card as long as I remember to take out the charges for using it.
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I know sometimes I write a check right before payday with the hopes of having that day or two before it clears. It doesn't happen that often. Automatic withdrawals in a way would be better than the waiting period because you can instantly check your account and it would be accurate so you wouldn't overspend because you won't have stuff lingering around that you might have forgot about.
@angelface23 (2494)
• United States
6 Nov 07
oh I hate automatic withdrawls! I used to use them for a few creditors I had but then I would always be overdrawn if something came up and I forgot to cancel it. I don't have a problem with the Walmart example you used because it's only a one time thing. But recurring withdraws I don't like at all. I'd rather pay it on my own.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
6 Nov 07
I love my debit card. It's easier than handling money for me, as I'm spastic and tend to drop money. Debit cards end that issue for me.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (89085)
• United States
19 Aug 07
Our Walmart does that automatic check withdraw thing. I don't like it. I totally understand why they do it, but I just don't prefer it. But I'll write a check over using a debit card. I don't have a debit card actually. I figured it would be too easy to use it on everything and I might end up in trouble. I wouldn't go crazy, but I might lose track of how much I spent.
1 person likes this
@stormygrl (761)
• United States
19 Aug 07
Actually the bank said Wal-Mart was still not updated as well and it automatically doesn't come out,I just got one because I wasn't real comfortable either with it. I had a problem with my old bank and a company using automatic withdrawl and the bank did nothing to help. So I'm using another bank . I don't think I'll use it for any fast food places though. What a hassle that would have been.
1 person likes this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I really hate banks because they have become so independant and feel they don't have to answer to anyone. They should be a lot more customer oriented because it is your money they are supposedly handling. In all actuality it is your money that they are using in their money making investments. They make money off of money that doesn't belong to them...they have the best of both worlds for sure.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
20 Aug 07
It took me several tries to find a bank that I liked b/c so many of them act like they don't care. They make errors and then act like its no big deal. Or they charge you overdraft fees for their errors and act like they are doing you a favor by taking it off. I think if they had to pay for their errors out of their own pockets they'd be alot more careful.
Thanks for Posting!
AT PEACE WITHIN
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
19 Aug 07
You bring up some valid reasons, twoey, but there are cases when it is not as convenient to write a check. I always use my debit card or Visa when I buy fast food and I have had no problem. Like you, I don't care for automatic withdrawals(as a rule), there is to much room for error. You do give a lot of authority to whoever has the right to automatically withdraw money from your account.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
20 Aug 07
I guess thats part of what worries me is that I am letting someone I really don't know have access to my account.
My brother just had his Debit Card number stolen and $400.00 worth of fabric was purchased and shipped online by the person that stole it. She wouldn't say where she got it but it took several weeks to straighten out and in the meantime they had to borrow money to pay their bills.
Its that sort of thing that makes me wish for an all cash society :)
Thanks for Posting!
AT PEACE WITHIN
