Why is the credit card reader so difficult for some people?

[Anonymous]

My peeve is that for some, the little tap symbol is where you’re supposed to tap. And for others you’re actually supposed to tap somewhere completely different than the little tap symbol and it’s just a sign that the reader has the tap function.

I don’t understand why this hasn’t been fixed with some kind of universal tap spot symbol.

Also I hate when there are taps that like a short tap and others that want your card to pause for a bit. I always guess the wrong duration and have to redo it.

[Anonymous]

I keep waiting for them to run it through that metal slider machine and hand it to me to sign and retain my carbon copies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my mid-40s. I’ve evolved right along with the credit card reader. I’ve paid for groceries with a check before. I remember when you used to have your credit card ran through a reader. I remember when magnetic strips became a thing. I remember when tap-to-pay became a thing. The newest credit card readers aren’t new.

So why is so is it so confusing for certain people? It’s like they’ve never used their credit card before, ever. It’s so streamlined and simple, yet it takes them f-o-r-e-v-e-r. What does wrong?

Every single card reader is different. Every one.

+1

[Anonymous]

Because I use my card once every couple months and every reader is completely different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because I use my card once every couple months and every reader is completely different.

This. And sometimes there are so many questions.

[Anonymous]

I use my phone 99% of the time. I can’t remember the last time I’ve used an actual credit card

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in my mid-40s. I’ve evolved right along with the credit card reader. I’ve paid for groceries with a check before. I remember when you used to have your credit card ran through a reader. I remember when magnetic strips became a thing. I remember when tap-to-pay became a thing. The newest credit card readers aren’t new.

So why is so is it so confusing for certain people? It’s like they’ve never used their credit card before, ever. It’s so streamlined and simple, yet it takes them f-o-r-e-v-e-r. What does wrong?

Every single card reader is different. Every one.

This

The one at my local Walgreens requires you to basically stick it in backwards compared to every other reader I’ve encountered.

And some stores put extra steps on the front or backend for donations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep waiting for them to run it through that metal slider machine and hand it to me to sign and retain my carbon copies

OP is too young to remember this option.
- 52 and used to work at Peoples

[Anonymous]

Because I'm old and you're smarter than I am.

[Anonymous]

Because there are multiple different types of machines, and because some of us don’t use them very often.

OP, you might want to sit down for this: Between shopping online and using cash for most face to face purchases, months can go by without my using a card reader to make a purchase.

[Anonymous]

I would love to see you use your phone to its full potential.

[Anonymous]

I like cash. It keeps spending down. But if I need to buy groceries last minute, my debit card chip does not work in the machine. It holds the line up. Not my fault. It works at other stores.

[Anonymous]

I can't move my hands the way they are supposed to move for tap/hover/swipe so I usually hand it over to the person working wherever. No medical/hand issues so it's a me thing; my DH calls it 'the creepy hands'.

[Anonymous]

I agree OP. I never have had an issue. Some people are just slower.

[Anonymous]

One my cards has the worst chip ever. The credit union sends new cards pretty regularly, and we're always promised a better chip, but nope.