Looks like things haven't changed a bit! Tried to purchase a computer monitor at Staples this past Sunday. Didn't want to put the purchase on credit card, so wrote a check. DENIED! By, guess who, Certegy! No reason given, the store just kept asking for an "alternative form of payment". Since we didn't want to use a credit card, we walked out of the store without finishing the purchase. On Monday we called Certegy — how fun that was! Over and over again all they kept saying was that the check "does not meet parameters" or "does not meet the format". When we asked what those parameters are, or what the format is, we were told that they couldn't tell us those, but they kept repeating that our check didn't meet the parameters and didn't meet the format. We also asked if we were to go to the store today and attempt to make the purchase would the check again be declined, and the person said 'yes'. Again we asked why and all they would say is that same line about the parameters and the format, but wouldn't tell us what those are. Having read these posts, it's a bit more clear — there are *no* parameters and *no* format, it's just on someone's whim to decline or not decline. Since it was Sunday there weren't others in the store, so we were 'spared' some of the embarrassment, but that didn't make us feel any better about having the check declined. The rest of what you feel — what have I done? Why is my check not good? I'm financially responsible and financially sound, so that can't be it. You run through all the emotions, then get angry! Who are these people to sit at some 1-800 number and seemingly randomly ruin someone's day. Needless to say, we'll be purchasing a computer monitor elsewhere, not Stapes. We probably won't be buying much else there either if they continue to use Certegy. On a related note, we wrote a check that same weekend at a different store — one that uses TeleCheck & no problem whatsoever. Didn't even have to show driver's license or other identification. Check went through, purchase approved, we went home with our purchase. Sad to say the same did not happen at Staples. Not only did we have to use our driver's license, we had to give our telephone number, etc., etc., etc.& still got declined. When we called Certegy, we wouldn't give the bank account number — we just wanted to know why the check was declined. I must admit, we were less than pleased with the reason. We won't be trading at stores that use this company to validate checks — just not worth it. There are too many other places to shop. We wrote to Staples to let them know why they will lose us as a customer — haven't received a response yet. Perhaps they don't care — they have so many other customers, what's the difference if they lose one. That's the attitude we got from the people at the store itself when we went back there on Monday. Judging from the number of those stupid little slips they have, this must happen often. I can't believe a store with Staples' reputation continues to use this company! As others have said, it does help to know you're not alone and it would be nice if something could be done to make them stop mistreating people.
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