Originally Posted By: Ellemm
I don't think only illegals use check-cashing stores by a long shot. Some people don't have cars and can't easily travel to a branch bank. (this is like when we assume that everyone has easy access to a good grocery store. No, they don't.) Some people like the neighborhood convenience, some need the cash without a waiting period, and some like doing all their business in one spot: pay bills, get money order, etc. They tend to serve primarily poorer people, but I know folks who use them.


You are correct Ellenm, in Canada we call them pay-day stores. They can be found in most cities. Not sure about rural areas. They do tend to be used by primarily poorer people --who are desperate, need money immediately but unable to discpline and plan their spending...or they are financially illiterate. ie. they don't realize how much they are being ripped off by these "stores".

The legal aid lawyers in Canada and U.S. who work with poor, get really pissed off how much of a scam these pay-day stores are. I know so, because I worked for a non-profit, legal aid organization that wanted to introduce legislation to control these operations more rigorously. I know it was debated a few years ago in the legislatures in British Columbia and Ontario...the debates are recorded in the minutes of legislative debate.
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