Im....sorry?

[Department stores *sigh*]

Background:

Im a supervisor and im auditing returns at customer service, so im making sure that whats being returned makes its way to where it is supposed to go.

COG: Cranky Old Guy
Me: Im just workin here!

So im sifting though some carts looking for an item that eluuded my inspection when COG walks up to me

COG: You! Where is your....er........cashing...
Me: Im sorry?
COG: Where I get cash...
Me: Ahh, an atm? Its just right down that way. See where there are other supervisors? Our podium is right next to the atm.
Cog: Alright *shuffles off*

At this point I think he was just a slightly confused older gentleman. I thought nothing off it and went back to my auditing.

Later on while im obviously in the middle of something he cuts through all the returns lines and puts two pieces of paper on the counter infront of me.

COG: Whats wrong with this?
Me: *taking a minute to recognize him* Hum wah?
COG: It wont give me money!
Me: Looks like it says "Unable to process"
COG: Well why is that?
Me: Im sorry im not sure, you can try contacting customer service for the atm though,. the number is at the top of your receipt.
COG: Well I know i have money *flashes his Amex card*
Me: Hrm, im not sure if you can use your Amex at an atm, unless maybe you set something up with them but im honestly not sure. Did it ask for your pin when you put that card in?
COG: Of course!
Me: Alright well if you believe you did everything right then you should try contacting their customer service since *store* cant do anything with the machine.
COG: Well your bloody useless then!
Me: I'm....sorry? Do you have maybe a debit card to try?
COG: That doesnt matter....your really not being helpful *reads name tag out loud*. Im going to make sure your manager knows about this!
Me: Im....sorry? But if you feel you have to then you must.

He leaves, manager talks to me, we both laugh.

Fin

[superhotelworker]

"Sir, I think you mis understand how ATM's work. You need a BANK card to get money.. and that's not a bank card."

[kpzra]

"Sir, I think you mis understand how ATM's work. You need a BANK card to get money.. and that's not a bank card."

No, I can get a pin number for my credit card for an AMT withdrawl.

[Department stores *sigh*]

I know people have done it with VISA and MC, im just not sure about AMEX but I dont see why not. Point is how is it my company's fault, and therefor my responsibility, to find out whats wrong with either the machine or his card? At most I could dial the number for him because im pretty sure the wont discuss account/banking details with a non card holder.

[Mytical]

Hehe, no .. no you forget. Part of your job is to have magical control over everything. ATM's, the weather, the lottery, everything. You need to take your 'mega super power booster shot'!

Seriously, if we could do all that, why would we bother working? I'd just make myself win the lottery, and retire to some private island where if you are an SC or EW you get thrown in the ocean.

[ravevolution]

I remember years ago I had to stand behind this guy at the only atm in the grocery store for like 15 mins (or it seemed that way) He was trying to use his credit card to get money, he saw me waiting, let go ahead and I went and got my cash. He seemed confused bout trying to get money from his card, so I asked him what was wrong and then I told him that unless he has a PIN for his credit card and not a bank card he couldn't get money from the machine. Never saw the light bulb flash over someones head

[cinema guy]

OT: I am kind of fascinated that credit cards and banking works differently in the US to the UK. Here both credit cards and debit cards have a PIN. It is perfectly possible to withdraw cash on a cc, but not advised - they charge HUGE interest on cash withdrawls.

[Sleepwalker]

Here it depends on the card agreement. I can withdraw cash on mine, but I had to set that up when I originally signed up for the card. I could have had the same card with no cash withdrawal capabilities.

[Teskeria]

If his Amex card is Green, Gold, Platinum or Centurion (black card made of titanium) then he can't use it to withdraw cash at an ATM (they can connect it to their personal bank account, but why bother, that's what an debit card is for). Those are pay in full cards, no revolve, no specific credit line to draw against, no interest. If it is one of the lending cards, they can do so IF they enrolled in the cash withdrawal program. He probably didn't do so.

[bankworking]

Most credit cards can be set up for ATM access. My own bank doesn't even jack up the interest rate like some of them do (though you waive that whole "pay off the balance in full, pay no interest" that you get with purchases).

Whether his American Express wasn't set up for it, his account had an issue, or the ATM itself had an issue, there's nothing a nearby store employee is going to be able to do about it except refer the person to the number on the ATM machine or to their credit card company.

SCs never seem to realize that ATMs are almost NEVER serviced by the store they happen to be within. Shoot, even my BANK ATMs are not serviced directly by the bank. We have a security company that services them. But at least I have the advantage of being able to send an ATM-repair or ATM-audit e-mail that will get to the right people.

[chainedbarista]

amex will allow it, but when my unit used them, there was the addendum of paying a nice hefty fee for using it for cash back. i chose not to use it for this option, being a bit on the poor side at that time.

[BlaqueKatt]

No, I can get a pin number for my credit card for an AMT withdrawl.

and cash advances have a huge interest rate-mine is over 25% on cash advances....

[MoonCat]

Here's what the customer was thinking: "This machine is in your store. Therefore, YOU have to do something about it!!"

It's SC logic.