I have been shopping at Meijer in Coldwater, Michigan for the past six years. Our family purchases between $5,000 to $6,000 per year in groceries and merchandise at Meijer. Over six years, this amounts to approximately $34,200.00.

Recently in December 2008 my purchases equaled $108.55. Paying by check, I was astounded and embarrassed because the TeleCheck system on their checkouts rejected my check.

On the back of the check was printed information from TeleCheck, which stated in part, “Our decision not to accept your check is based, in part, on advice from TeleCheck. … TeleCheck did not decide to decline your check, and is unable to provide you with specific reasons why this adverse action was taken.”

I paid by credit card, which I don’t like to do! When I arrived home I called our bank in Kalamazoo, which is 5th Third. They assured me that there was nothing wrong with our checking account and couldn’t explain why Meijer rejected my check.

Next I contacted TeleCheck by phone in Houston Texas and spoke with an operator who told me to look at the check numbers on the front of check and compare with the check numbers that TeleCheck Electronic Check Solutions listed on the back.

When I looked at the numbers, the TeleCheck machine had misread a digit and so my check was rejected. I called Meijer and they indicated there was nothing they could do to change it or override the system.

I contacted Meijer again and asked if this incorrect information was going to be sent to all the credit bureaus.

The response was “I don’t think so!”

I continued to shop at Meijer taking their response at face value. On January 9, 2009 I had another check rejected.

I asked the cashier to match our check number with the one TeleCheck had listed on the back. The machine had again misread a digit and it wasn’t even the same as the previous digit.

The cashier went to one manager and that manager went to another manager and basically they concurred responding with, “Sorry! Can’t be redone you will have to pay some other way.”

I am now in the process of obtaining credit reports to determine if TeleCheck or Meijer automatically sent this adverse and incorrect information on to credit reporting systems. I cannot get an answer from either one of them!

I am also writing to Meijer Headquarters, TeleCheck in Houston and lastly to Meijer Inc. in Coldwater, Michigan.

The managers at Meijer were very unresponsive and were not at all helpful on resolving this or indicating what other actions they would try on my behalf to straighten this possible mess out.

So, beware the check you write to Meijer may end up significantly lowering your credit scores. Telecheck and/or Meijer has difficulty taking responsibility and will apparently do nothing.

I believe I will take my $5,000.00 to $6,000.00 per year and begin shopping at Wal-Mart or other honest grocery chains.

John
Coldwater, Michigan