I've been in banking for years and I don't think I have run across this issue before. I have twice paid for some items during a Weight Watchers meeting (yes, it's working!) and used my debit card. Since they don't have a regular terminal they use the old knuckle buster to run the card. I did get a receipt. However, the items have never hit my account. I can't find any reference to whether there is even such a thing as a stale date on an electronic item. I don't want to put a stop payment on them since I know the money is owed, the person doesn't seem to care about it. So do I just let it ride or is there really some regulation out there that discusses this? Thanks.

MasterCard has merchant guidelines that, I believe, set a 30-day standard. I don't know if there's a Visa equivalent. WW is a good organization; give them a reminder that those sales drafts need to get processed.

Thanks, John.