how target gave me a heart attack

i went shopping with my family the other evening. we live so far from any discount store that we usually make the trip worth while. it is also easter soon, and i needed to get the basket supplies. the bill came to $299.12 at the target store in grand rapids michigan. the teller was not happy about the size of the order, and either was the lady behind us. i decided to write a check. i gave my id and was promptly told that the check was rejected by the computer. the slip the employee handed me had a number to call. he kept saying it wasn't his fault, like he had been accused before. i began to get out my credit card. i just assumed that something was wrong with the account. i had been robbed at the meijers in ann arbor in may 2006,(another great story), and was freaking out that they might be using stolen checks or my id or something. the employee asked if it were a debit card. i repied, "why would i use that if the checks didn't work". i called the number as soon as i got outside. after 20 minutes on hold i was told that there was nothing wrong with my account, that i was profiled, and since i hadn't used a check in target in a 12 month period they decided to reject me. i was reminded that check acceptance is a privelage and the store was not obligated to take it. here is were the story really starts to stink. they told me to use my debit card to be sure my purchase would go through. now, when the men robbed me in may, they took my debit card and hit best buy and target in 15 minutes. the damage was $1000.00. in 15 minutes. they purchased gift cards and an x-box 360. the gift card was for $500.00. by law, the store is supposed to ask for id when a gift card over $400.oo is used. but there was problem buying it without id.. so, target gave two short mediterainian appearing men all this and never asked for id and wouldn't cash my check for the purchase based on the fact that i hadn't written one in a while. by the way, my name is old english, not mediterainian. the moral of the story you ask. if you use a debit card that is stolen, the bank has to eat the loss, if you can prove the theft. this, by the way, involves a police report and everything. if not, and the charge is still fraudulent, you eat the loss. so, target will let you or the bank take the loss for a stolen debit card and never even ask for any id, and they will tell you they are not obligated to check id on a debit card, even when used like a credit card, but they won't stick ther neck out on a check because they take the loss then.yes, for you none believers, i write on the back of all my cards, see i.d. you do the math..... sue s p.s. by the way target i have never bounced a check before. they don't let you have debit cards when you make that a habit