We don't have Kroger's here, but so far I have not had this experience anywhere! Wow! They don't want your money it seems to me!
Here in the south we have Harveys, it didn't happen to me, but i saw this happen to someone in front of me. I could not believe it, for the same reasons she had to put some items back(guess she didnt have cash on her ) I still dont understand how or why this is happened? If the money is in the bank why cant you use it. Is this for prevention of theft? Someone else using the card? I have had the bank call me to check if i have purchased alot in one day or for a large item purchase and i appreciate that with all the card theft these days.