How the Other Half Lives

This weekend I had the pleasure (term used in the loosest way possible) of using a Check Cashing store for the first time.  

On Saturday, Jeremy found a truck he was interested in on Craigslist and kindly requested that I call about it.  After pointing out that the seller probably wouldn’t appreciate a phone call at 6:30 am the day after the 4th of July, I went back to bed  waited a few hours and made the call.  Because Jeremy doesn’t talk on the phone unless he has to.

Several hours later, we drove an hour to meet the guy, who informed us that he did not take business checks, only cash.  Did you know banks aren’t open at 3:00 on Saturday afternoons, especially on holiday weekends?  Ah, but check cashing places are.  *Involuntary Shudder*

Don’t get me wrong, the place seemed clean enough.  But there is a distinct air of suspicion cast on the patrons by the toothless  pleasant cashiers.  After forty-five minutes of checking with different “bosses” and calling our bank to verify we had funds, (during which Jeremy and I perfected our silent conversation skills as we people-watched) the cashier gave us a winning smile and declared us surprisingly approved.

Then came the part where they raped us  asked for their exorbitant fee.  Seriously, people fork over 6% of their money instead of using a bank?  No wonder people are broke these days!