How do I avoid pending transactions using debit/credit cards at stores?

Do I run it as a credit or run as debit, so that the purchase will automatically post to my account because some cases the purchases are pending for a few days. Any way to completely avoid pending transactions with debit/credit purchases? Any info will be helpful. I know pending means that the purchase hasn't completely processed, but the balance will still be the same. Thanks.|||No, things will still take time to fully clear your account. A lot is going to depend on how the merchant you are purchasing from settles their credit cards. It is pretty normal for it to take 3-5 days before leaving the pending status. The only way to not have this is to simply write a check or use cash.