Anyone get stopped leaving stores?

[Bedlam]

quote' Quote:
I bought something in Lowes yesterday. After I swiped the card, signed the pad, and put the card back in my wallet, the clerk asked me what the last four digits of the card were. I realized I actually knew that off the top of my head, so I told her. She said, "That's right," and handed me the receipt.

Is that their security check now, asking you the last four digits on the card?

That's one I haven't figured out yet, but they always ask for the last 4 digits and I can just tell them and that the end of it. Why they enter the last 4 twice is something I don't understand.


When the first Lowes opened her I thought it was just the machine. I then find its all the time I give them a 'jab' by saying wow in over a year now the machine still cant read the whole card number.Maybe you should consider asking Home Depot to sell or give you a machine thats able to read the whole card.LOL
I have a thought that this is a good way for them to take and holed your card to check the signature.
Consider it much like the bank teller.
You see them all the time, and expect them to know your a customer. I got the same bank mostly and they recognize me before i get the tube in my hand greeting e with a Mr .....My wife laughed at that , omg they know by first name.WHY. Because I'm the one who 'tests' the teller for accuracy.(By this I mean I add it wrong etc) LOL
But serious angle If I go to another Branch, I try to send the license in with the money and slip. That way there I think Ive taken some of the anxiety off them to have to ask,As they are well aware of people getting upset when they ask.And yes its good idea for me to safeguard.
At my local supermarket they wont let you scan the card. They do it for you I believe the underlying reason is the same this way they get to see the card without having ask.I like it as don't have to answer a survey like at wal mart. where they ask if the cashier greeted you.(which could be a great good morning or a grumble under their breath)

 

[scott_vt]

How often do you find stores that ask for your phone number? .

Good Mornin Bird,
The local grocery store that my wife normally uses, Big Y in Ct and Price Chopper in Vt, ask for my phone number if I dont have the store discount card on me. They look up our account and I can get the discount on any purchases without physically holding the card ! In that case, asking me my ohone number is OK !

 

[aczlan]

That's one I haven't figured out yet, but they always ask for the last 4 digits and I can just tell them and that the end of it. Why they enter the last 4 twice is something I don't understand.

it is because you can reprogram the magnetic strip on the back of the card with another number fairly easily (if you are a criminal who is into duplicating credit cards) but it is difficult to change the number that is stamped into the card itself (and if they don't match there is a problem).

Aaron Z

 

[Bird]

Good Morning, Scotty.
And Kroger's is the same way. They'll still give you the discount without you having the card; just give your phone number. And my phone number has changed twice since we got that card, but giving the current number works. And Albertson's supermarkets got rid of their customer cards, but their prices are still so high that they're losing out to the competition and closing more stores. Today's newspaper listed 3 more that will close by the end of next month.

Bedlam, you know you don't need to answer that survey question at Walmart; just go ahead and scan your credit card. And I guess you also know the it doesn't make a bit of difference what you scribble on there for a signature. It accepts anything. And of course at their gas pumps, you don't have anything to sign. Gradually the stores are doing away with the signature requirement entirely.

 

[Bird]

it is because you can reprogram the magnetic strip on the back of the card with another number fairly easily (if you are a criminal who is into duplicating credit cards) but it is difficult to change the number that is stamped into the card itself (and if they don't match there is a problem).

Aaron Z

Thanks for the information, Aaron.

 

[dmccarty]

Years ago in FLA I was traveling and stopped for fuel. While paying decided what the heck lets play the lottery.

I got carded! I was in my mid to late 30s. There is/was an age limit on playing the lottery but I was obviously well past the limit. I let her see my id while I laughed. It was so ludicrous that it was funny. The feeling I got was that she was bored and was carding people to see where they were from. This was on I75 in the middle of nowhere FLA.

Self checkout lines and I don't mix. When these first started being installed back in the late 80s I used them in the grocery store because I want to pack my own groceries. Most baggers can't bag for s... I get real ticked off when I find mashed bread, broken frozen pies, cracked eggs, etc. If a bagger tries to bag my groceries I tell him I can do it. I don't mind go help another cashier.

The problem with the grocery store system I used to use in FLA was that once you waited in line to scan and bag you then waited in another line to pay.

Ironically I was given a job offer for the company that made these systems which I declined.

Lowes has the self checkout line. Some people use it but I have noticed that many, like me, make a point to NOT use the self checkout line. I tried Lowes self checkout a few times but when its requiring me to be trained to check out its just too much to expect. Give me a discount then it will be worth my time. Maybe.

Glad to know why they keep asking for the last four digits of my CC. Like I have it memorized. I hold the card for them to read. Not being mean but without my reading classes I can barely read the card.

Later,
Dan

 

[MossRoad]

Little bit OT;

Gas bar now wants prepayement before filling up.
How do I know how much my tank will take?

Since I use my CC there is no way I'll give them a chance to clone it while I self pump.
(and most cloneing happens that way)

They claimed the thefts were getting so bad that they needed to resort to that measure.
As I departed (empty), I suggested that perhaps they should hire a security guard to watch over the pumps if thefts were that bad!

Being treated like a crook is not my cup of tea!

They started that in bad neighborhoods around here about 10 years ago (or more). Now it is everywhere. I cannot remember the last time I was able to pump gas without pre-paying. That was one of the driving factors for getting a credit card. Now I always pay at the pump and get my receipt there. The only time I step foot in a gas station is if the receipt machine is out of paper (frequently in the bad neighborhoods as the clerks are too scared to go out and re-fill them). The nice thing about credit cards is the handy statement you get each month. It gets called in electronically and gets downloaded to my computer each time I run my money management software. I get a neat little chart that tells me how much of my income gets spent on gas, food, entertainment, etc...

 

[Bird]

Little bit OT;

Gas bar now wants prepayement before filling up.
How do I know how much my tank will take?

Since I use my CC there is no way I'll give them a chance to clone it while I self pump.
(and most cloneing happens that way)

They claimed the thefts were getting so bad that they needed to resort to that measure.
As I departed (empty), I suggested that perhaps they should hire a security guard to watch over the pumps if thefts were that bad!

Being treated like a crook is not my cup of tea!

1. Gas stations requiring prepayment is common.
2. When you use a credit card, most of the stations have pumps which accept the card at the pump. You don't have to leave it with someone.
3. The station's profit margin on gas will certainly not pay for a security officer to be present.
4. The higher gas prices did result in increased instances of customers driving off without paying, although it did happen even when gas was cheap.
5. Some gas station attendants learned to steal from the cash register, then report a "drive off" theft to the police. Naturally such reports never included a license plate number and the descriptions given were usually pretty vague.
6. As a result of such reports, many police departments will not accept a drive off theft report from a gas station attendant unless they have the license plate number of the perpetrator.
7. Requiring prepayment is the most common option, although video taping of customers and their vehicles is the other option.

 

[kthompson]

Interesting to learn about the programing of the magnetic strip.

I have two business checking accounts with two different banks for same business. With one of them Wal Mart always ask for ID with not sure why being given and I finally realized it was on a certain bank. OK.

Local person told me they always stopped buggies with several cases of drinks. No reason was given. Did you know the person who checks you out at Wal Mart gets a percentage of any stolen or non paid for merchandise?

Had a clerk at a Lowes refuse to listen to me when I told her she had not scanned everything. When I went back the next time with the box and asked to pay for it the manager was called over and he could not believe it. I did not realize he had been in our business in the same time frame and had lied on his insurance application.

The self checkouts...my concern is...theft. I missed it and they find it, how are you not guilty of attempting theft? No way. Once at Home Depot was only cash registers they had open, said it load enough to my wife it was heard, I will just leave the cart loaded and went to but manager of that area was very eager to run a cash register themselves.

We all have those problems at one time or other. Yesterday stopped at a Bojangles and ordered their meal on special sale. Used wrong word when I used "snack" so they said and not meal. Paid more and got less. When I question it that was my answer with no attempt to correct. This was right after paying for it and looking at receipt.

 

[JB4310]

The self checkouts...my concern is...theft. I missed it and they find it, how are you not guilty of attempting theft? No way.

Oh you'll know, "UNEXPECTED ITEM IN THE BAGGING AREA"

I don't mind the self check out at HD, often times it's the fastest way out of the store, and I'm not bashful to bring giant loads thru there either, things that can't be picked up and scanned, I just let the attendant do it, since there's always one there.

Don't grocery shop much, but I wouldn't use self check in those stores as I'm a terrible bagger.

JB.

 

[Ronbo]

I too will only use the self check if it is too big to scan or has to be looked up in the book. There is always someone working the little desk. I once went to Home Depot to purchase $1000 of decking. I asked the helpers 3 times to use the forklift and carry it out to my trailer. They insisted on throwing it onto a lumber cart. I was so interlocked it ould take 3 or 4 people to offload it onto the trailer. I rolled it up to the checkout and asked for the manager. I informed him what had happened, including the names of the helpers, and told him he can have them put it back on the rack. I was going to Lowes.

As far as checking my reciept at walmart, it does not happen. The want to check mine while the hoodlems with the baggy clothes and sweatshirts in summer walk on by. No thanks. I just tell them that I have it and do not even slow down.

I do not wait in line at Frys either. I walk right past it. They can run me down and I will show it, only because they have 100% check. Walmart does not. I also do not mind the check at Costco, they too have 100%, but do not expect me to wait in line.

We forget the when we pay for the product, ownership is transfered at that time. They do not have the right to check my bags without a search warrent. That also goes for the tag that sets off the alarm. I own it and do not want it modified in any way after ownership is transfered. I am just funny that way.

Ron

 

[mjarrels]

The gas pump thing using CC or debit cards or pay first before pumping? It is my understanding that most of the profit for these stores is made by getting people inside to buy cold drinks and snacks... milk or bread! Pay at the pumps keeps folks OUT of the store... bad idea but it happens here too! If I buy only fuel, I never go inside... If I want a newspaper after buying fuel, I will pick up a newspaper and maybe a sweet treat too!

mark

 

[Bird]

This is hilarious timing. As I've mentioned, I've rarely been asked for ID at Walmart, but today, I swiped my card through the machine without even looking, and when the cashier finished, I looked at the machine and it said to swipe your card. I'm not sure what I did the first time, but I swiped the card again, and then the cashier asked to see the card and ID. She's just a kid and brand new I suspect. At least I'd never seen "Amber" before. I got to laughing and said, "You gotta be kidding" and handed her the credit card. She took a quick look at it and handed it back and never asked for any other ID.

 

[LBrown59]

Wonder what would happen if you owned the item they accused you of shoplifting?

 

[aczlan]

Wonder what would happen if you owned the item they accused you of shoplifting?

IIRC they have to prove that it was theirs, generally they have to have camera footage or an eyewitness from when you picked up the item till you left the store, if there are any lapses in that you can say "it was mine and I set that one down", if they don't have that they probably wont accuse you of shoplifting (in front of a cop), too easy for you to say prove it (you know the whole innocent until proven guilty thing that we are supposed to have in the US), if they lose you can file charges of kidnapping and wrongful imprisonment against them.

Aaron Z

 

[txdon]

There was a rash of unpaid gas drive offs around here but it was proven later that the customers actually did pay. I always take the receipt now, just in case that bug hits the machines again, so I will not have to be detained until I reach my credit card company.

 

[aczlan]

I always take the receipt now, just in case that bug hits the machines again, so I will not have to be detained until I reach my credit card company.

I take mine and write the mileage on the odometer on it, then I can enter that and the number of gallons used in a spreadsheet and I have the mileage of my car over the last 5000 miles.

Aaron Z

 

[buckeyefarmer]

When Sams first started checking receipts years ago it bothered me, but I got over it. It actually saved me once, where the cashier had double scanned an item and the checker caught it. Unfortunately a lot of theft is also done by the cashiers or the cashiers and a buyer working together.

I will not use the self checkouts at HD or Lowes, unless it's like 1 item in a box that the scales will detect. Just too many things at a hardware store that won't fit in the bag or on the scales that makes a self checkout impossible to use.

Even today at a grocery store I had a problem with the self checkout, but fortunately a person came over quickly and resolved the problem. I have gotten frustrated enough with self checkouts to just leave everything and walk out. I try to avoid when at all possible.

I've noticed a lot more stores checking credit cards lately, which is good. There's just too many credit card thefts, and it's easy for the thieves to duplicate cards, so if there's no visual check of the card it's too easy to use someone else's card. I worry about the new wireless credit card machines stores are now using. I've read that the largest theft of credit card info came by hackers breaking into a wireless machine network and obtaining all the customers credit card info, all while the thieves sat in a vehicle in the parking lot.

 

[Bird]

I take mine and write the mileage on the odometer on it, then I can enter that and the number of gallons used in a spreadsheet and I have the mileage of my car over the last 5000 miles.

Aaron Z

I've been doing the same thing for about 16 years now. I also enter the money and category information in Quicken, so I alway know what my outstanding balance is (or should be).

I traded off our 2001 Ford Windstar a week ago today with 101,195 miles on it. We bought it on December 26, 2002, with 27,087 miles on it, but in the 6 years we had it, it averaged 19.555 MPG and including insurance, tires, oil, filters, repairs, even wash jobs that I didn't do myself, it cost us $.44 a mile to operate.

And it was still in good condition and I had no intention of trading anytime in the foreseeable future, but my wife saw another old car on the dealer's lot that she wanted. I told her it was a bad idea and I didn't want to do it, but I know she really wanted that old car, and since she doesn't ask for a lot, I had to do it.

 

[Runner]

I had a good laugh at Wally World the other day. I needed to buy some replacement blades for my electric shaver and still had the cardboard package from the old ones as a model reference, etc. Apparently it still had the magnetic tag on it and it set of the alarm when I came in the door. Since they don't expect anyone coming in the door to be setting off the alarm, I just kept walking to see what they would do. They were running around looking at all the people leaving, trying to decide who to stop. Pretty funny.

Of course, it also went off as I was leaving, so I had to show it to them, but still funny.

What gets me is when they make me show ID to buy spray paint.


As for the pay at the pump deal, it kind of hurts my feelings that they don't trust me anymore. It also makes it inconvenient for me to buy gas, plus something else, like a paper. So, whenever I have to go in to buy something like a pack of gum, I ALWAYS use my credit card to pay for it. Just to make it a little more inconvenient for them and cost them a little more money.