Or more specifically, when people choose to use their run their debit cards as credit. It will still be taken from your account in about the same about of time. At my store, there is a certain way you must do a credit transaction.
Swipe card. The pad will then read:
"Your total is $XX.XX. Is this correct?"
[button] [button]
YES --------- NO
This does not mean stare off blankly into space daydreaming about the wrap you ate at KFC for lunch, or how much fun you'll have popping bubble wrap when you get home. PUSH A BUTTON!
After this laborious and difficult task, the pin pad will then read:
"Please present card to cashier for verification."
DO NOT:
Daydream about the bubble wrap some more.
Read it two or three times and then stuff the card into your wallet/purse/cleavage while looking at me with heavy suspicion.
Swipe it again.
Ignore it and try to walk out of the store.
It means hand. Me. Your. Card. Why? Because someone decided that to 'confirm' the card, we have to enter the last four digits. No, this doesn't make sense to me either, and it's a right pain in the arse, but the transaction can't go any further until we do this. Ah, wait, don't leave yet either! We are still not done. Sign this shiny piece of paper I'm giving you. No, not your receipt. No, not the catalina coupons, either. That's right, the one that's short, just like your attention span.
Wait! I know you must be really proud of yourself, knowing how to sign your own name and all, but please give that back now.
And don't steal my pen.
Next lesson - learn your PIN! Memorize it. Keep it secret. Keep it safe. Do not think that you will save time by using your debit card as credit. See above. This method is quite a hassle. Also, do not huff at me when I make you sign the paper. Credit cards have been around for how long now? You NEED to sign SOMETHING! If you are doing two separate transactions this way, we'll just rinse, lather, and repeat. Do not huff and roll your eyes at me twice, I didn't make you skip entering your PIN. And if we're getting slammed with a huge rush of customers that backs all the way up into the frozen food isle, then both of us are going to be grumpy.
*sigh* And it's not even December yet . . .
Swipe card. The pad will then read:
"Your total is $XX.XX. Is this correct?"
[button] [button]
YES --------- NO
This does not mean stare off blankly into space daydreaming about the wrap you ate at KFC for lunch, or how much fun you'll have popping bubble wrap when you get home. PUSH A BUTTON!
After this laborious and difficult task, the pin pad will then read:
"Please present card to cashier for verification."
DO NOT:
Daydream about the bubble wrap some more.
Read it two or three times and then stuff the card into your wallet/purse/cleavage while looking at me with heavy suspicion.
Swipe it again.
Ignore it and try to walk out of the store.
It means hand. Me. Your. Card. Why? Because someone decided that to 'confirm' the card, we have to enter the last four digits. No, this doesn't make sense to me either, and it's a right pain in the arse, but the transaction can't go any further until we do this. Ah, wait, don't leave yet either! We are still not done. Sign this shiny piece of paper I'm giving you. No, not your receipt. No, not the catalina coupons, either. That's right, the one that's short, just like your attention span.
Wait! I know you must be really proud of yourself, knowing how to sign your own name and all, but please give that back now.
And don't steal my pen.
Next lesson - learn your PIN! Memorize it. Keep it secret. Keep it safe. Do not think that you will save time by using your debit card as credit. See above. This method is quite a hassle. Also, do not huff at me when I make you sign the paper. Credit cards have been around for how long now? You NEED to sign SOMETHING! If you are doing two separate transactions this way, we'll just rinse, lather, and repeat. Do not huff and roll your eyes at me twice, I didn't make you skip entering your PIN. And if we're getting slammed with a huge rush of customers that backs all the way up into the frozen food isle, then both of us are going to be grumpy.
*sigh* And it's not even December yet . . .
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