To Sign or Not to Sign, that is the question
Ok, this isn't so much a complaint as it is a question.
Anyone else confused about needing to sign for a credit card purchase under a certain amount? Some places they still ask me to sign, other places they don't. Some places make you sign one day and not the next. Arbys requires a signature in the restaurant but not if you go through the drive through.
Here's where it gets really confusing. I can fill up my mini-van (ok stop laughing), for $44 using pay at the pump and no crazy signature nazi comes running out of the store after me.
Next time I'm at Fleet Farm I'm gonna ask the cashier, "can I use Pay at the Pump for this?"
So here are the questions. (I have Googled* in vain so far.)
1. Who decides whether a business needs a signature? Is it the business or the credit card company making the rules?
2. Can some businesses overrule the policy and still require a signature?
3. Can you refuse to sign and "educate" the cashier as to not having to sign?
4. Is the amount $25 or less? I had heard $20 or less as well.
5. Does this apply to department stores as well? Target, Wal Mart etc
*Please Mr. Google, don't come after me for using your company as a verb.
posted by Cordell @ 11:51 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Here is your answer troubled one!
At CreditCards.com they go on to say:
In order to encourage the purchase of small items at a faster pace, credit card companies are increasingly permitting consumers to simply swipe their card to pay for items under $25 at drug stores, fast food eateries, convenience stores, and pharmacies — no signature required. Credit card companies hope that these no-signature transactions will speed up store checkouts and encourage more consumers to make everyday purchases with their credit cards.
Having a SOX background, I can shed some light on this. Federal standards not withstanding, a place of business can fall back on them, or opt to take more aggressive measures to give their customers confidence that they're being "more secure" than the government requires. If you're a paranoid consumer, you may decide to use your credit cards only where they require a signature and check your id. My Great Aunt ALWAYS walked inside the gas station to sign her receipt, she just didn't trust those scanners at the pump...
So... when your credit card gets stolen, you would certainly hope every store in the country would ask to see an id and do a signature match.
In other words, there are no real rules; only a government set "minimum standard." Some companies use more controls in their card processing. Its really up to you. If you hate the signature deal, go through the drive through; THEN take your family inside!
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