Last Thursday I attempted to use my debit card to purchase a home theater. The store said the bank refused the charge. THERE WAS $3000 IN MY ACCOUNT! I talked to the bank and they said there was a limit on how much I could use the debit card for, but no limit on how much I could write a check for. I don't think they should be able to do this, but if they did they should have told me.

Mica,
The Bank probably did tell you - the limitations are usually spelled out in the information and disclosures you should have received from the bank when you either opened your account or fist obtained your debit card.
Banks limit purchase amounts using your debit card for the same reason you have credit card limits - to protect you and the bank. Can you imagine how upset you'd be if you lost your debit card and someone was able to use it, wipe out your entire checking account, and the bank placed no limits on it at all? You would probably get your money back after the bank completed its investigation, but in the meantime, how would you buy groceries or pay your bills?
Keep in mind, also, that the limits set by your bank are often due to the liability limits imposed on the bank by their contract with Visa or Mastercard.
So, don't blame the bank - we can't make you read those pesky disclosures we give you, but if you did, you would have known this information before you were embarassed at the store!
BC

I would also suggest that you speak to your bank about increasing your limits (if, of course, your current limit is too low). Depending on your bank you might be able to have temporary limits set for the purchase of big ticket items, or they might be willing to suspend the limit for one transaction if you contacted them first. (We've done that from time to time on a case-by-case basis, but we're very easy for customers to contact.)

Bear is correct in that you should have received disclsosures from your bank that outlined your daily limits. It is likely that you have a limit of signature based transactions (when you use your debit card without a personal identification number aka PIN) and a limit for PIN based transactions (ATM withdrawals, etc.). I also realize that you received a ton of disclosures when you opened your account. You could even argue that you received so many disclosures that you couldn't keep up with all of them. Don't blame the bank for that one, blame your Congress Person. The government forces us to make you wade through all the paperwork.

Mica,
I know it was probably embarrassing.
I agree with the above replies, contact your bank and see if your daily limit can be increased.

Also, write a brief letter to the bank's marketing head---no need to fuss at him(her), but state that you were upset, and didn't understrand you had a daily limit. Perhaps they will re-evaluate the limits for everyone, or maybe put more emphasis on informing customers of the limits. The powers-that-be need that feedback from customers. A situation like yours caused us to look at ourselves, and we made some changes that have worked out well.
Good Luck !

Different types of accounts sometimes have different limits. ALways read your disclosures, at least keep them where you know where they are and when you have a question, look there. Usually your questions will be answered. Then when you call the bank, you can say "where was it disclosed?" They should be able to point you to it, if they can't, then perhaps you do have an issue.