I don't recall the details, but there is a big battle going on between the credit/debit card companies and the merchants over debit cards. The PIN transaction benefits one and the non-PIN benefits the other.
I think there's also some problem with processing dual mode cards, where it's not correctly identified as a debit (or is it credit?) card. My credit union stopped issuing dual mode cards for this reason.
Sorry I'm so fuzzy on the details. I read about this a few months ago and didn't have any reason to pay attention to the specifics.
Yeah. The credit card people (MC, Visa, etc) get a chunk (from the bank) everytime you use your card as a credit card. The bank gets one when you use it as an ATM and pay a fee. It's this big battle over who gets the money. I know some small vendors refuse to take credit cards (or make you buy a minimum dollar amount) because of the fees the cc companies charge for each swipe.
This explains the piece of paper I saw taped to a pump saying "if you want to make a credit card transaction push "no" when you see "Debit Card? Yes/No". Presumably that gas station has changed its default in the POS software at the pump. I find it very amusing to see an instance of corporate warfare emerge right in front of me where I can see it. :3
If anyone cares I believe it was the Exxon near Rips in Bowie MD
(no subject)
I think there's also some problem with processing dual mode cards, where it's not correctly identified as a debit (or is it credit?) card. My credit union stopped issuing dual mode cards for this reason.
Sorry I'm so fuzzy on the details. I read about this a few months ago and didn't have any reason to pay attention to the specifics.
(no subject)
(no subject)
If anyone cares I believe it was the Exxon near Rips in Bowie MD