Debit Prompting: Adversaries

Have you ever tried to pay for something with a debit card as a credit card, indicated that the card should be used as a credit card, and yet been prompted again and again for your debit password? When you do so, the card is used as a debit card, not a credit card. This usually means that you will be paying a debit fee with a bank ($1.25 with North Fork Bank) and won’t get the protections of a credit card (these are VERY important protections if you are concerned with your ability to return items like plane tickets.

Anyway, there are countless businesses on the island that, at the point of purchase, ask you to “slide your card.” Then their machine asks if it is a credit card or a debit card. I indicate that it is a credit card. Then, in too many cases, it then asks for my debit card password. I plan to build a list in the box on the right of adversaries that do this on the island. When I update the adversary box, I’ll be including Stop and Shop, Wal-Mart and CVS. Stop and Shop will lead the list because their card machine, which after asking if your card is a debit or credit card prompts for the debit password and offers no way out. Written on the pad is something to the effect of, “If there is a problem, press cancel.” The problem is that there is no cancel button. There is a clear button, which you only know to hit if you ask the cashier. Their cashiers always seem bothered by the quesiton.

Treat your customers like their are good people. This practice treats them like they are morons.