Amex chip+pin

[Hurumph mode]My local garage told me last night they would not accept my amex with out a pin from the 14th. And British rail (or what ever demutualised/renationalise company Staines station belongs to these days) tell me they won't accept my corporate barclaycard with out a pin either. [/Hurumph mode]

Originally posted by sailor99
[Hurumph mode]My local garage told me last night they would not accept my amex with out a pin from the 14th.

mmmm, its a pity that its all become so complicated for everyone. if a card does not have a chip, its processed in the normal way - with a signature.

Next time you are in, if they will not take your amex, ask them how they process all fuel cards ie esso, shell, bp, allstar, overdrive etc. These donot have chips and will not for many many months/years to come.

David

Originally posted by sailor99
My local garage told me last night they would not accept my amex with out a pin from the 14th.

I'd be going in with no other ways of paying, fill up my bike and wait till they come up with a "solution" [}:)]

Yes I know you are right. But I just have this feeling that I am going to be arguing with retailers (*) all over the country from next wednesday until the whole thing settles down.


*well more accurately ill trained staff who have only been there for 3 weeks and will leave in 4 weeks time to be replaced with another undertrained flunky

IMO its been badly handled/marketed - its been done from the viewpoint that everyone has (will have) C+P cards , & whilst 75% of my cards are - those that dont are the ones Im most eager to use (All credit/debit cards... Amex being my #1 choice). None of my store cards feature C+P either - are Staples going to refuse my purchase with their own card?? I doubt it.
Some stores Ive been in seem to be of the opinion that you will use C+P or you wont be able to pay...

Also - re:costs... there IS less paper (and thus ink [B)]) used , as the duplicate copy is no longer needed (whichever type - the one you sign & return to retailer, or the one that has a counterfoil thats torn off & kept) - with majority of retail-transactions now by card & ever decreasing amounts of cash - it automatically halves the amount of paper being used, thus cost savings are enormous.

I like the C+P idea but still don't like it when the cashier swipes the card on their machine and then you have to enter your pin on the seperate terminal.

Also I think it works in Europe now but when you want to buy things like gas in the US with your card they now ask for your zip so the technology doesn't seem that transportable for travellers.