Check Writing Error
Posted: 2009-01-14. Categories: Meijer, Michigan, Wal-mart

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.

Check Writing Error

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

6 Comments to "Check Writing Error"

  1. Anonymous says:

    “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.”

    If it’s an honest grocery store you are seeking, I’d stay away from Wal-Mart. They are the biggest crooks around.

  2. Barb says:

    The same thing has just happened to me. I have been a loyal Meijer customer in Michigan for 30 years and never had an issue with a personal check written at any Meijer stores. After phoning TeleCheck I could not, and was not given a valid reason for refusing my check today at the Fort Wayne (Lima Rd.) Meijer store.

    I had already written a few checks at this store previously. Since Meijer’s pays this company for their inaccurate and imprudent guidelines, they deserve to loose their loyal customers. I for one, will no longer shop at any Meijer stores EVER again.

    Not only was this an embarassing and humiliating it was very careless on Meijers part for not investigating this company out thouroughly. I’m sure that we are not the only two customers with this issue. TeleChecks calls are answered in the Caribean!!!! Need I say more. Krogers will get my business.

  3. Evelyn Shaw says:

    The same thing happened to me at Wal-Mart on May 27, 2010. I have never had a check declined in my life until yesterday by Tele-chek at Wal-Mart. I was given a slip with an 800 # to call Tele-chek.

    I called all day off and on and could never speak to a human being. The automated prompts just rolled me from one phone number to another with no specific prompt to address my issue. I called my bank, they assured me -no problem with my account- plenty of funds available.

    To date, I have not been able to get an answer and Wal-Mart’s manager says there is nothing they can do because they rely on Tele-chek to be accurate. What a horror; we shop there each week. What can I do to make Tele-chek admit responsibilty for their error? Any suggestions?

    The burning question for me, also, is what about other stores that rely on Tele-chek? Will they decline a check relying on erroneous information supplied by this company?

  4. Brent Johnson says:

    I have had this problem with a payroll check at several Walmart stores as well. I’m amazed that I am not the only one who has issues with the check cashing places. The excuse I have been told is that the computer has generated some kind of statistic based on the check issued and refused to cash the check. What’s the next step here? Imprint us with a technology so we walk through the scanner and they read our bank balance so we can purchase groceries?

  5. John says:

    I’ve had the same problem several times while using a business check at Meijer. I have called the number on the back of the check while at Meijer. The automated prompts allow me to key in the numbers on the check and run the check again.

    It is extremely annoying, but I have been able to resubmit the check after calling and it has always worked. My business is still looking into other options.

  6. Ada says:

    This happened to me last night! I was so bothered and upset at the situation of leaving everything there, because I had just written two checks at two other stores previously shopping at Meijer’s yesterday evening. I rarely write checks, but the magnetic strip on my debit card had be deactivated, and I was (and still am) awaiting a new card. So the thought of an alternate payment was not an option last night.

    I’ve checked the number comparison, and even though mine match, the check was still declined. I, too, will shop less frequently at Meijer due to such a hassle. Their joke of a “Guest Service” offers no help in the matter, either.

    I’m very relieved to read that I am not the only one targeted in this annoying situation. I am very concerned about this lowering my credit score, as I am already a young college student with low numbers. If any of you have more information about the credit score being affected, I’d like to hear it!