I am willing to write a check, and not use my check card, when shopping at the co-op to avoid incurring the associated fees. However, even though I am a regular (usually weekly) shopper, I am currently required to give my drivers license and phone each time I write a check.

Is there some way that I can “register” my personal information with the co-op so you have it on file, and then I would not need to have it written on every check that I pay with? This would make it easier and time-saving for both cashier and customer.

Thank you.
Check Writer

I understand your frustration, and I really appreciate your willingness to pay by check instead of credit or debit card—it helps small businesses like the co-op save money on fees.

Our check i.d. policy is that if a customer is a co-op member, cashiers just need a member number and phone, because we already have that person’s information in our membership database. Other shoppers are asked for their license and phone number. At this time, I don’t have another secure tracking system that we could use to verify i.d. for non-member shoppers.

Please understand that it’s not that we don’t recognize you or value your business—-we do, very much! But if we don’t verify identification for every check, our ability to pursue the (very few) people who knowingly try to defraud us is compromised.

Thank you for your suggestion, and for shopping at our co-op!

Jolene, Customer Service Manager