At the grocery store, do you mainly swipe your credit/debit card or write a check, or use cash?

Question

Emphasis on mainly. Please explain your reason. I use both but there sure isn't much room to write a check because the pin pad has been connected to the counter. I see people in line where they have to use their reading glasses to read those pin pads, and then they have trouble with the glare on the pin pad. If you want, also tell us your general age, too.

Answer 1

I'm in my 20s and I always use a check card, and run it as debit. That way, it shows up in my online banking right away. That helps me with my budget, because I download transactions from my bank to process them in a computer program. If I were to pay cash, I would never know how much I spent because I'd manage to lose a receipt or two.

Answer 2

Rae, although a simple question has 4 different answers as you have seen with the other answers you have received. There are pros and cons to all of the methods of payment. With the credit card usage at the grocery store I feel is the worst of all. By using a credit card you risk paying a higher percentage on that grocery you bought if you fail to pay the bill when its due. Now your groceries have actually increased in price and what seemed to be a bargain isnt any longer. My method is the debit card. Some places you have to use your pin number some you dont. Either way is fine with me because no one hovers over me while I put my pin number in the machine. The bad thing about that is in some of the retail stores like Lowes, Walmart, some convenient stores etc. will deduct more from your card than the ticket called for. For instance, if you purchase an item for $50.00 or buy gas, they may deduct $75.00 from your card until the card clears the bank. If you plan on purchasing several items that day, you may know you have a $100. left in your account but when it is swiped it shows considerably less and you may not be able to buy that item, how embarrassing. The check as you have probably experienced is a hassle. One, you have to carry a pin at all times, or get one from the clerk at the store, and if the line is very long, people become annoyed, especially if they have to wait another minute or two longer. You know the people, the ones that are going no where but have to be there yesterday. And then there is the cash, great!! It is great in theory to have the cash on hand but who carries that much cash with them in todays world. I suggest very few. Can you imagine going shopping for a day with a big wad of cash you pull out every time you purchase something, I cant. How many times have you said to yourself, "I thought I had another $5.00 bill somewhere." Can you imagine how many times you would be saying that to yourself if you carried cash everywhere, that is if you wasnt knocked in the head and robbed before you got that far. The moral of this whole thing is preference. What is best for you, what is easiest for you? Not everyone likes writing checks, or carrying cash around with them. Not everyone wants to use a credit card or keep track of their balance as they go with a debit card or checking account. Do what is best for you. One thing you dont want to do when going shopping at the grocery store and that is dumping all four out on the counter and saying eni, meanie, minee, moe!!!

Answer 3

I either use check or cash. Debit goes out of your account right away and you do not have a record of your transactions which can get you in trouble when paying your bills. I try to stay away from credit cards because you end up paying interest on things that you need and you never end up paying it back. Cash you know you have it and it's concrete and it does not put you in debit. Checks you can keep up with if you write everything down and you have a record. So if someone is taking anything out of your account you have a record of your personal spending.

Answer 4

I will just say that it is always better to swipe your debit as credit, of course if your card has a credit logo. A lot of people don't realize that you pay a fee for swiping it as debit, but when you swipe it as credit the store has to pay out the fee. So when you are at Walmarts and go to swipe your card and the key pad comes up, hit cancel and then the credit option will pop up. Stores don't offer the credit option first because they don't want to pay out the fee. Just a little advice coming from a former cashier.

Answer 5

I always use a credit card for everything, including the grocery store. Having cash on me in that amount (once a week shopping runs us anywhere from $40 - $120 depending on what we need) and having that much cash on-hand is just too inconvenient. I never did get into debit cards, and people who use checkbooks annoy me. I know - that is some people's routine, but it still annoys me.

We put all on a credit card and pay it off every month.

Answer 6

My first preference is to use cash. Its faster and easier and it helps to prevent identity theft.
In my area where I live, there were some gas stations that had gas pumps that print out your receipt with all your information and dishonest clerks were keeping them and then somehow used that info.
My second preference is writing a check. I always carry my own pin.
Last resort would be to use my debit card. But its always problematic and a hassle. The only convienent thing about it, is you can get cash back anywhere you make a purchase and if you aren't near your bank that is a plus.

Answer 7

I have used nothing but cash at the grocery store for over 25-years. I have never used my debit card and only use my check book to pay bills, when I use a credit card it's for gas or prescriptions at Wal-mart and I pay it in full when I get the bill.

This system keeps me responsible and makes my credit profile look great.

Answer 8

I swipe the debit card because it's easier then writing a check. I only use my checks to pay bills or when I'm loaning money to someone. Many places also don't take checks anymore unless it's a mail in.

Answer 9

I use my check card as a credit card. Fast and easy swipe and sign. I know what is in the budget and it is like writing a check but faster. I do this all the time. I am 40 something.

Answer 10

Credit Card. I don't use any card that I have to enter my PIN in public place. I also pay-off the stmt balance on my credit cards every month, so I treat them as cash. No fee cards only. I also try not to carry too much cash on me at any time.
40something