I Am Not an ATM

[ArcticChicken]

Had one today, bought two bags of chips, payed with food stamps

Swiped his card, does his thing
SC:"Oh, and I want cash back"
Me: "Sir, I can only do that from the cash part of your card"
SC: Presses the "amount ok" button, transaction goes through as food stamps
SC: "So you have to take it from the cash part?"
Me: "You have to buy something from the cash part of your card for me to access it and give you cash back"
SC: "So I have to buy something else?!?"
Me: "If you want me to give you money back."
SC: "Just take this off and run it through from the cash part" (gesticulating with his bag of chips)
Me: "I can't do that here, customer service might be able to help you"

He stalks off.

I mean, how stupid can you get? Sending the transaction through while trying to do something more?

[blas]

I don't quite get it. He had a foodstamp card and wanted cash back? Wow, that should be a real no-no regardless...but I don't get exactly why he wanted cash back or why it couldn't be done?

[pyxee]

I don't quite get it. He had a foodstamp card and wanted cash back? Wow, that should be a real no-no regardless...but I don't get exactly why he wanted cash back or why it couldn't be done?

Well the food stamp cards in most states( I think) work two ways. One is the food stamp 'side', the other is the cash side. The food stamp side is just for food usually supposed to be things you take home and prepare, there are a lot of loopholes to that here in Missouri though. The second side is the cash part, which is for people who get state assistance or TANF (temporary assistance for needy families). Even though both parts are on the same card, they more or less act like two separate accounts. The worst part is that most clerks do not have the ability to make refunds on food stamp or TANF purchases. They usually require a manager code.

[blas]

That's most likely why I don't get it. Wisconsin Quest Cards are just for food, unless since I quit the grocery store in 2005 they've gotten any more sophisticated.

[bainsidhe]

I think the cash portion of the card is also to help families get basic necessities that aren't food. I see a lot of people purchase toilet paper, cleaning products, or clothes for their kids.

The other problem with doing a return is that the funds don't immediately return to the card. The OP was just talking about a small transaction, but I've had people decide they want to void out an entire $100-$200 transaction after they've swiped their card and I've rung them out. I'm really bothered that a needy family has to wait before they can access these funds again. It really is troublesome for both the customer and for me. Especially when the customer goes into an angry tirade because we can't give them their money back NOW. Not that I blame them, but I don't like being yelled at.

[bigjimaz]

Pennsylvania has what's called an "Access" card. People getting welfare and/or food stamps have everything put onto the card, as opposed to a physical check and food stamp vouchers being mailed to the recipients. (both had to be taken to the bank and "cashed" meaning the checks were cashed or deposited, and the vouchers were exchanged for actual paper food stamps which were a little bit bigger than, but similarly colored to, Monopoly money)

Anyway, when you get to the payment part of your transaction at the store, you have to hit a button marked EBT (electronic benefit transfer) then the machine prompts you by asking food or cash. You then choose your preferred payment. The last step is to "OK" the amount of the purchase by selecting yes or no. Selecting yes ends the transaction and your purchase amount is debited from the card and kept trak of on the receipt. Selecting no sends it back to the cashier and the machine goes back to the beginning again, asking for payment type, which only succeeds in piffing off the cashier.

Strange how I remember this and it's been almost 3 years since I was exposed to it at the grocery store. Maybe it's because I hate that people can buy Soda, Chips or any type of unprepared food they want with it here in PA. I think that they should limit those cards to necessities only. And no, a can of Pringles and a 3 liter bottle of Mountain Dew aren't necessities.

The cash part works the same as a prepaid credit card. It is used for anything anywhere that accepts the EBT card.

[pyxee]

I couldn't agree more. I realize there are families that really need, and do use the assistance for things they need. All to often though, I get people who buy chips, sodas (even fountain drinks are covered), Microwave sandwiches, even alcohol mixers. It never fails that I would have some losers come in once a week and buy orange juice, strawberry mixer, etc on food stamps. Then buy vodka and rum on the cash part of their card. One of these 'families' used to make me so angry because I saw them almost every night, they got at least $800 in food stamps, and drove a brand new SUV. I never once saw either of them with a kid.

[symposes]

I dont mind if people buy a bag of chips with foodstamps.
My lunch is generally a balogna sandwich and some chips.

And there is nothing wrong with buying a pack of cookies either, a 1 dollar pack of those oreo like cookies can last a while.

The problem is people that buy only that junk. Or that buy very very very expensive foods like fllet menyon...

[CanadaGirl]

The problem is people that buy only that junk. Or that buy very very very expensive foods like fllet menyon...

filet mignon

[Hotfoot]

filet mignon

In High School, I knew a guy who's nickname was Jan (pronounced "Yon").

Every time that dish is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind was, "...but Jan wasn't gay..."

[PepperElf]

but I've had people decide they want to void out an entire $100-$200 transaction after they've swiped their card and I've rung them out. I'm really bothered that a needy family has to wait before they can access these funds again.

... maybe i'm weird but if i'm that strapped for cash, i think i'd be thinking twice before spending $100-200 in the first place, let alone deciding just a minute later "I don't need it afterall"... There's no harm in trying to plan finances before you start shopping.

[Imogene]

"...but Jan wasn't gay..."

*blink, blink*
*grabs a notepad, starts writing, then stops*
Oooohhh!
That's bad.

[tollbaby]

I don't get it *wahhhhh* I feel dumb now LOL

[ktopmil]

I can't stand it when people ask me for change. Like the story says, I'm not an ATM. I can understand maybe getting quarters for their dollar, but I am NOT giving you ones for your twenty dollar bill. GGRRR I have other customers, you are not my only one!! I WILL need that later. GO TO A BANK!! *Sigh*

[Hotfoot]

I don't get it *wahhhhh* I feel dumb now LOL

It's okay, it's a nasty, evil, bad stealth pun. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it and...WHAMMO.

Just ask Juwl.

I'm a bad, bad man.