What is the stinkin' deal with checks having to be over #500?

[OnTheBrink]

I just ordered a pizza. Waited 45 minutes for it. The guy arrives, I give him my check. He asked for my DL#. I give it to him, and then he says, Sorry, can't take this; it's under number 500. I said, "And I could go order checks tomorrow starting with number 10,000. It makes no difference whether the check is 100 or 10,000, neither number indicates anything about the account." He said, "Well, that's the policy." (I HATE THAT ANSWER!)

So, I called Pizza Hut and got the same spiel. "It's the policy." UGHGHGH. Now I have hungry kids, who've waited 45 minutes for pizza and soda (a big treat for us) and we have no pizza, no soda and a voided check.

Why in the world do companies do this? It makes absolutely no sense at all. I'm so ticked I could scream!

[Daisy]

It makes no sense to me either. Seems like if the bank account information is on the check it wouldn't be a problem. Our pizza hut will take a cc for home delivery though. Did you try that??

[Momof2kids]

I don't know. It's stupid. Once when I opened a new checking account I've actually had the person at the bank ask me if I wanted to start my check number much higher. So they know it's a problem.

I guess the higher the number, the longer you've had that account. Only now I pay alot of bills on-line so I don't use very many checks these days.

[Chris in VA]

Even tho it's the policy, I'd get on the phone with Pizza Hut (the satisfaction number) and tell them your experience. They will most likely give you a free pizza coupon. Might help.

[OnTheBrink]

I don't have a CC. I did email them a strongly worded letter via their website.

So, now we're having chicken and rice. A good meal, but not the pizza the kids were wanting. Stupid Pizza Hut! :mad:

[jail warden]

they also told me that it's best to start with a higher # b/c some businesses won't think you've had a bank account long enough and won't take your check.

[OnTheBrink]

Hmph. Well, I guess I'll just order a new box of checks with some higher number to placate these people who have stupid policies, even though the date I opened the account is right there on the check!

Dumb policies cost money. It cost Pizza Hut 2 large pizzas, an order of wings and a bottle of soda (well, they can reuse that) and it's costing me new checks. dumbdumbdumb!

I just don't get that new account/low check number = no money in the account.

[Mamagistra]

Even tho it's the policy, I'd get on the phone with Pizza Hut (the satisfaction number) and tell them your experience. They will most likely give you a free pizza coupon. Might help.

Oh. yes. I would be on the phone and writing a very succinct letter to the local store and its headquarters. Ridiculous policy, IMO.

[Scarlett]

Very very stupid policy. I just hate stupidity. They lost the pizza sell AND the pizza. At that point, (pizza made customer waiting) why not take the risk at the door that the check was good.

Oh, here is another one I love....a pizza company I have used for 5 years made me show ID for a check I wrote for home delivery. I said, 'you're kidding right? You know where I LIVE for Pete's Sake.' Ridiculous.

[Peek a Boo]

don't forget to write a letter to the editor so their stupidity is made public :D

[nestof3]

How disappointing! I can understand companies being cautious about "bad" checks, but it is common knowledge that you can open an account with any starting # you choose. I hate it when a policy has no logic behind it.

[Kris]

I don't have a CC. I did email them a strongly worded letter via their website.

I'd actually send them a snail mail letter. I have gotten a response from an email complaint *one* time, but I get a response to a snail mail letter *every* time.

Along with stupid policies (and this one *is* stupid) is the fact that so many companies have email addresses or feedback forms when they ignore the feedback.

A lot of businesses have had that policy for a long time. I remember running into it 25-30 years ago. I'm amazed that they still implement it, though. Surely the thieves have figured it out by now?

[Claire]

I think your bank did you a disservice if they started your checking account with a number under 500. This is not to say the Pizza Hut policy is a good one! I think companies have found that teenagers often bounce checks because they aren't used to keeping their checking accounts balanced, and it is mostly teens who have checking accounts with check numbers under 500.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I'm sure it's just an old policy (that needs to be revised). Back "in the day", all new bank accounts started with check #100. It was less risky to only accept higher numbered checks because it showed the "stability" of the check writer. About 20 years ago, (I don't remember exactly when), they changed that policy and made it possible to order any number checks you want. I remember my credit union then started printing the mo/yr that I opened my account up in the corner of the check. They've since stopped doing that, too. I'm guessing that they made the change because we'd become such a mobile society. Just because a person moves doesn't mean that they don't have money in their bank account. People move all the time, for all sorts of reasons (better jobs, etc.) Anyway, you're right. Check number means nothing at all anymore. It's an obsolete policy.

So, I'm thinking a letter to Pizza Hut is definitely in order. They need to be advised that their policy is ineffective because check numbers don't say anything about the check writer, or the number of checks you've written, or the length of time you've had your account. Times have changed.

[elegantlion]

You know what is really ignorant about the situation, is that they came to your house!! It's not like you were at a business and they couldn't verify your information.

It is indeed an antiquated policy, I hope you get 2 free pizzas out of the deal.