Weird Apple store experience...

[TEG]

I have seen this in the past. Many stores will not except unless someone knows the bank personally. I also find in odd that you're checks don't have your banks address on them... Every check I or my parents have has the bank name, the branch we primarilly do business with, their address, and phone number. Heck, my parents have checks with their SSNs on them because they were required (until last year) to be on the checks at this bank.

Also, had you arrived earlier in the day, and the store able to verify with the bank by phone, you would probabily have gotten the MacBook, but as it was outside of banking hours, I'd say they did the appropriate thing.

TEG

 

[Sky Blue]

Quite honestly, I'm shocked that they accept checks at all.

yeah, who buys a computer with a check??

 

[Alucardx03]

Thanks for all the responses guys. You've confirmed my suspicions that he thought we were shady.

It was at the Mayfair location, which isn't in a bad neighborhood or anything. The reason it was so late was because I convinced my cousin about 45 minutes before the store closed, and he's kind of impulsive. If it were earlier, he would have just taken the money out from the bank, but nothing was open, and the $1000 a day limit on his check card didn't help matters. Normally, he never uses checks, but given that it was a last minute thing, the only payment he had was the check. I just assumed that, since store policy said it was alright, that it would be accepted.

I understand where they're coming from, I just wish they would change their policy completely then, you know? Because it didn't make him or I feel welcomed in the store.

I talked to my cousin today, and he's still in the market for a MB, but he wants to go to another location.

 

[jeremy.king]

It was at the Mayfair location, which isn't in a bad neighborhood or anything.

Mayfair has had a history of issues with loitering and violent crimes. I wouldn't doubt those issues would extend to check fraud as well.

Check out Bayshore, its a much better store - in my opinion.

 

[Alucardx03]

Mayfair has had a history of issues with loitering and violent crimes. I wouldn't doubt those issues would extend to check fraud as well.

Check out Bayshore, its a much better store - in my opinion.

Yeah, Bayshore was where I bought my MBP. It was a much better experience. Actually, the only reason I go to Mayfair anymore is because of the
"Parental Guidance Required" program. That seems to keep a lot of the riff-raff out.

 

[jeremy.king]

That seems to keep a lot of the riff-raff out.

Probably also part of the reason for your check difficulties last night

 

[aristobrat]

All of the electronics stores I've shopped at authorize a check thru a service like Telecheck or Certigy before they accept it for payment. I doubt Apple would be any different.

This limits the retailers exposure to fraud. As long as the check is approved by the authorizer, should the check bounce, the retailer will be paid by the authorizer (who then goes after collecting the money, plus fees, from the check writer).

Having said that, authorizers will only "guarantee" a check if it has certain prerequisites checked at the store. Each authorizer is different, but two general ones are that the check writers name and address is imprinted on the check (i.e. no starter checks), and the check writer has a gov't issued ID with them, etc.

Maybe the employee misunderstood what Apple requires on a check. Personally, I would have spoken to the manager. From what I've read on here, they seem to have a fair amount of latitude.

Out of curiosity, were you guys buying any services (.Mac, One to One, AppleCare or ProCare) along with the Mac?

 

[m1stake]

It may not even have been that YOU guys were shady. I work at a computer retail store (Micro Center), and WHENEVER someone pops out their checkbook, cashiers get a manager to look at it too. Paying with checks in a retail store is shady no matter where or when you do it. It's not just a crime that occurs in bad neighborhoods either. There are plenty of seemingly OK people trying to pass bad checks.

Use credit or preferably debit, and avoid the scrutiny and wasted time.

 

[Alucardx03]

No, he decided against the Applecare and .Mac, which I think added to his suspicion. But even so, my cousin presented him his driver's license, school ID, and his name was on the check.

It was just a strange experience, and it was a shame that it was his first impression of Apple.

 

[Alucardx03]

It may not even have been that YOU guys were shady. I work at a computer retail store (Micro Center), and WHENEVER someone pops out their checkbook, cashiers get a manager to look at it too. Paying with checks in a retail store is shady no matter where or when you do it. It's not just a crime that occurs in bad neighborhoods either. There are plenty of seemingly OK people trying to pass bad checks.

Use credit or preferably debit, and avoid the scrutiny and wasted time.

Yeah, from this experience, I've certainly learned not to write checks anymore. I just wish Apple would change their check policy then, so that new customers wouldn't feel alienated. I understand the suspicion, but I thought we were operating within the policy...

 

[brad.c]

If they'd accept a check at all...

it wouldn't surprise me if they, or any business for that matter, would want to hold on to the product until the cheque clears. If you were buying an out-of-stock item, or a more complicated BTO, where you'd have to come back, they might allow it.

 

[Alucardx03]

it wouldn't surprise me if they, or any business for that matter, would want to hold on to the product until the cheque clears. If you were buying an out-of-stock item, or a more complicated BTO, where you'd have to come back, they might allow it.

Yeah, he didn't mention holding the computer or anything. As a matter of fact, he even came out with the computer in hand... Holding the machine I would understand, but completely denying purchase? Seems a little harsh.

 

[kcbyemom]

A Ch-what?

Aaaah, never let someone make you feel bad when you're honest.
For us old hags out there who remember the days of counter checks I have a bit more empathy for the retailer's discretion. Others have mentioned that you were being protected as well, inconvenienced - but protected.
I always have that guilty look when I lose my debit card and have to scrounge for a check in the bottom of my purse. My guess is your cousin was a bit nervous writing a check with a comma in it (I still freak out over the comma-so much easier to run the card and not look) and the employee over-reacted.

 

[protozoa]

I've never seen checks carry your bank's address. If you have checks shouldn't you at least have a debit card as well?

My bank's address is on my checks.

It's amazing to look through my check register and see how rarely I write checks these days. I have written less than 60 in over two years. I've moved twice since I got my current pack of checks, and I still have 140 or so to use up before ordering new ones.

 

[Mac In School]

The people behind you in the line at McDonalds must have been so happy to see that checkbook come out for an 89 cent purchase.

LOL! Good point. I hate check writers. I don't really try to write checks at McDs. I don't even use a Debit. I stop for cash on the way.

 

[Eidorian]

My bank's address is on my checks.

It's amazing to look through my check register and see how rarely I write checks these days. I have written less than 60 in over two years. I've moved twice since I got my current pack of checks, and I still have 140 or so to use up before ordering new ones.

I did look at my checks and I knew my bank's name was on them. It looks like they also have the state and city as well but not the exact address of my branch where I originally had them ordered.

 

[MacBookJoePro]

what are checks?

-JoE








j/k

 

[MattG]

I thought the daily $ limit on check cards only applied if you're using it as a debit card, or at the ATM. I'd think it would go through if it was processed as a normal VISA.

 

[KingYaba]

And yes, there are very very few business establishments that still accept checks. At least that I've noticed.

If it means anything, Papa Johns accepts checks, still. Paid for my pizza that way on Fri.

 

[Fast Shadow]

Why not just get a cashier's check?

 

[notjustjay]

I hardly ever use cheques anymore... only to pay people that I owe lots of money to, or for donations of large-ish amounts during a face-to-face transaction (fund raising, church, etc.), or (certified) cheques for very large purchases such as cars. Other than that it is all cash, debit or credit.

I wonder if this is a cultural thing, I know "checks" (your spelling) seem to be a lot more common in the USA than, say, here in Canada. We have 'em, but we don't see people paying for much with them. It could well be that retailers here are no longer accepting cheques for transactions at grocery stores, restaurants, etc.

 

[m1stake]

They're not, the only thing most people use them for is credit card payments, rent, car payments, utility payments (Water, Electricity, Internetz).