(i originally posted in 2004 on livejournal. much of which remains true today)
dear shoppers
the holiday time of the year has come upon us again. black friday is just around the corner and the most gleeful exchange of gifts is only a few short weeks away. most major retail venues have hoisted the cheery holiday swag, pumped the requisite holiday tunes into their sound systems, and have begun the traditional bombardment of holiday sales.
as you head off into the wonderful world of mass holiday merchandising to seek out those oh-so-perfect gifts that express all the feelings that you've kept pent up throughout the year, please remember this one thing: the customer service sales associate standing before you hates having to work during the holiday season just as much as you hate particpating in the rabid shopping frenzy.
so please:
* do not knock ALL of the clothes or toys off aisle tables- its not a game of see how long it takes for the associate to REDO the damn table. yes, you can navigate AROUND the tables without leaving a path of unholy destruction in your wake
* do not wander around shopping 30- 90 minutes AFTER closing time--- if you havent found what you're looking for by closing- THEN YOU WILL NOT FIND IT. get out! go home! let us poor associates go!!!! we want to go home too!!! because believe it or not, we are not allowed to leave the store until after the last shopper leaves. SO GO HOME
* do not leave your foul 300 ounce big swigs laden with saliva, lipstick, food stains, and children grime on counters, on clothing tables, in changing rooms or on floors--- and please don't expect us to put them in our trash bins--- we do not want your disgusting germs anywhere near us. go find a trash recepticle out in the mall that is far far far away from us.
* DO NOT PEE in dressing rooms (yes, it happens- but we prefer you pee in the restrooms-- you sick dirty bastards)
* do not VOMIT in dressing rooms (go home if you are that ill)
* give up on the GIFT RECEIPTS-- that only wastes register tape, wastes time-- and dammit- whatever happened to the old days when gift giving was about saying "Thank you" and lumping what you got rather than being about "Oh, it doesn't matter- If he/she doesn't like it then they can return it." ---this sort of mentality is what contributes to our throw-away society, it tells gift recipients that you really don't care if they like what you are getting them, and it also says that you really don't care to spend enough time with a person to determine what they like or dont like. and for you hard-to-shop for idiots--- stop being so damn picky, show your appreciation and love by accepting the gift and appreciating that someone made the effort at all--- remember for every gift you turn your nose at because it isn't perfect, there is someone out there in this world not getting any gift at all nor is spending any time with any loved one--- you should be grateful not picky or petty or obnoxious. Tell your kids/nephews/neices/cousins/etc. to SUCK IT UP... Christmas isnt about getting the perfect gift- its about being together. So wear the damn kitten sweater and get the hell out! OR GIVE GIFT FRIKKIN CARDS bastards
* and, yes- KEEP ALL OF YOUR DAMN RECEIPTS. if you aren't organized enough to keep the receipts of the things you purchase, then perhaps you should consider alternative gift giving ideas- like crafting homemade gifts such as ashtrays constructed of gum wrappers, paper mache and rubber cement. the more handmade it looks the more it looks like you care.
* and don't come back in March trying to return your damn christmas presents!
* and don't come back after you've worn your christmas presents looking to return them for cash refunds.
On a serious note:
INSIST that the associate taking your check or credit card is checking your identification. Even if your debit/credit card has your photo on the card. The more you make it clear to associates that you want them to verify i.d. the more associates will be forced to learn to do so.
For those of you who get insulted by being asked for your i.d.- get over it. I will ask for your i.d. I always ask for your i.d. I don't care that you've shopped my store for 20 years, have had the store's credit card for 10 years, or just used your card/check in another department 5 minutes ago, and say, "no one's ever asked for my i.d. before." I don't care. Have it ready- and make certain that it matches the name on your card/check, and make certain that it is current and NOT expired.
And anyone working in any industry that involves the exchange of payment for goods or services- Subway, McDonalds, Walmart, Target, JCPenney, Sears, Hallmark Cards--- doesn't matter where you work. You should ALWAYS check id, and never be afraid to refuse expired i.d. or question i.d. that looks fake or notify your managers when you suspect fraud.
thank you for taking the time to read this public service announcement. as always, shop safely, shop happily, and shop early.
That's it, I'm done. Putting the soap box away for now.
dear shoppers
the holiday time of the year has come upon us again. black friday is just around the corner and the most gleeful exchange of gifts is only a few short weeks away. most major retail venues have hoisted the cheery holiday swag, pumped the requisite holiday tunes into their sound systems, and have begun the traditional bombardment of holiday sales.
as you head off into the wonderful world of mass holiday merchandising to seek out those oh-so-perfect gifts that express all the feelings that you've kept pent up throughout the year, please remember this one thing: the customer service sales associate standing before you hates having to work during the holiday season just as much as you hate particpating in the rabid shopping frenzy.
so please:
* do not knock ALL of the clothes or toys off aisle tables- its not a game of see how long it takes for the associate to REDO the damn table. yes, you can navigate AROUND the tables without leaving a path of unholy destruction in your wake
* do not wander around shopping 30- 90 minutes AFTER closing time--- if you havent found what you're looking for by closing- THEN YOU WILL NOT FIND IT. get out! go home! let us poor associates go!!!! we want to go home too!!! because believe it or not, we are not allowed to leave the store until after the last shopper leaves. SO GO HOME
* do not leave your foul 300 ounce big swigs laden with saliva, lipstick, food stains, and children grime on counters, on clothing tables, in changing rooms or on floors--- and please don't expect us to put them in our trash bins--- we do not want your disgusting germs anywhere near us. go find a trash recepticle out in the mall that is far far far away from us.
* DO NOT PEE in dressing rooms (yes, it happens- but we prefer you pee in the restrooms-- you sick dirty bastards)
* do not VOMIT in dressing rooms (go home if you are that ill)
* give up on the GIFT RECEIPTS-- that only wastes register tape, wastes time-- and dammit- whatever happened to the old days when gift giving was about saying "Thank you" and lumping what you got rather than being about "Oh, it doesn't matter- If he/she doesn't like it then they can return it." ---this sort of mentality is what contributes to our throw-away society, it tells gift recipients that you really don't care if they like what you are getting them, and it also says that you really don't care to spend enough time with a person to determine what they like or dont like. and for you hard-to-shop for idiots--- stop being so damn picky, show your appreciation and love by accepting the gift and appreciating that someone made the effort at all--- remember for every gift you turn your nose at because it isn't perfect, there is someone out there in this world not getting any gift at all nor is spending any time with any loved one--- you should be grateful not picky or petty or obnoxious. Tell your kids/nephews/neices/cousins/etc. to SUCK IT UP... Christmas isnt about getting the perfect gift- its about being together. So wear the damn kitten sweater and get the hell out! OR GIVE GIFT FRIKKIN CARDS bastards
* and, yes- KEEP ALL OF YOUR DAMN RECEIPTS. if you aren't organized enough to keep the receipts of the things you purchase, then perhaps you should consider alternative gift giving ideas- like crafting homemade gifts such as ashtrays constructed of gum wrappers, paper mache and rubber cement. the more handmade it looks the more it looks like you care.
* and don't come back in March trying to return your damn christmas presents!
* and don't come back after you've worn your christmas presents looking to return them for cash refunds.
On a serious note:
INSIST that the associate taking your check or credit card is checking your identification. Even if your debit/credit card has your photo on the card. The more you make it clear to associates that you want them to verify i.d. the more associates will be forced to learn to do so.
For those of you who get insulted by being asked for your i.d.- get over it. I will ask for your i.d. I always ask for your i.d. I don't care that you've shopped my store for 20 years, have had the store's credit card for 10 years, or just used your card/check in another department 5 minutes ago, and say, "no one's ever asked for my i.d. before." I don't care. Have it ready- and make certain that it matches the name on your card/check, and make certain that it is current and NOT expired.
And anyone working in any industry that involves the exchange of payment for goods or services- Subway, McDonalds, Walmart, Target, JCPenney, Sears, Hallmark Cards--- doesn't matter where you work. You should ALWAYS check id, and never be afraid to refuse expired i.d. or question i.d. that looks fake or notify your managers when you suspect fraud.
thank you for taking the time to read this public service announcement. as always, shop safely, shop happily, and shop early.
That's it, I'm done. Putting the soap box away for now.
spiffy's Mobile post sent by brettbum using Utterli.
9 comments:
With all due respect, you are incorrect. The merchant is NOT ALLOWED to require ID for a credit card transaction. The signature on the back of the credit card is to be compared to the signature that the customer signs for the receipt.
Any merchant who is asking every customer using a credit card for ID is violating the Visa and MasterCard Acceptance Rules. You may ask for ID if an unsigned card is presented, or a card that says, "See ID." You must then have the customer sign their signature on the back of the card. If the customer refuses to provide ID AND sign the card, you are NOT to accept the card.
Enjoy the below websites from Visa and MasterCard on the subject of ID checking:
The procedure to process a Visa transaction is shown here:
http://usa.visa.com/merchants/risk_management/card_present.html
The procedure outlined above states to swipe the card and obtain a signature and then verify the signature on the card against the signature on the receipt.
Also from Visa's website, Visa's rules below on Page 31 of this document: http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/card_acceptance_guide.pdf state that merchants may not make identification a condition of sale.
MasterCard rules are similar.
Below is in regards to the MasterCard "Chargeback Guide" located at: http://www.mastercard.com/us/wce/PDF/TB_CB_Manual_5_08.pdf
Please read pages 76-78 of the "Chargeback Guide" which explain acceptance procedures and discuss when to call for authorization. Note that nowhere in the acceptance procedures does it say to ask for ID, and nowhere in the reasons to call for authorization does it say to do so when a cardholder refuses to provide ID.
Item 7 on page 77 discusses "unique transactions" and says that the merchant is to request identification for those transactions (excluding truck stop transactions). If you go to pages 97-99, it shows what type of transactions qualify as "unique transactions." The transactions I have had to show ID for at your establishment do not fall into the "unique transactions" listed on pages 97-99.
Now moving to page 131 is the "honor all cards" rule which states that a merchant cannot have a policy in place that discriminates against customers who pay with a Card. By requiring customers who are paying with a Card to show ID, you are discriminating against a customer who pays with a Card by requiring them to present identification which you do not have non-Card customers do.
Also on page 131 is the "cardholder identification" rule which states that a merchant may not refuse to complete a transaction solely because a cardholder has refused to provide additional identification.
Also on MasterCard's website is a "Contact Us" page that records reports of merchants who are not following their terms which can be found here: http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/contactus/merchantviolations.html
CREDIT CARD SIGNATURE IS ALL THE ID NEEDED
When you pay for merchandise with a Visa card, MasterCard, or American Express any store that accepts these cards should accept yours too, no questions asked. It's part of the deal that merchants agree to when they become participating members.
They must check your signature and the card - electronically or by telephone - to be sure it's valid. Once the answer comes up yes, they can go ahead and charge. They can't ask you for any further identification - not a license plate number, Social Security number, proof of address, phone number or picture ID.
Your personal ID isn't needed because Visa, MasterCard, and American Express all guarantee payment on cards that have been properly checked. If the issuer mistakenly authorizes a sale on a bad card, it should make good. MasterCard says that merchants receive instant settlement. The contract MasterCard merchants sign specifically prevents them from asking for personal ID.
Unfortunately, not all merchants play by the rules. Some, apparently, haven't read them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
MasterCard wants to hear about merchants who break their rules. Send the name and address and an account of what happened to MasterCard WorldWide 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577. The merchant's bank will get a stiff letter, ordering it to investigate and bring the offending store into line - or pay a $2,000 fine.
Visa enforces the same rules as MasterCard. "When we hear about a violation, we ask the bank that signed the merchant to get together with the merchant and see that the practice is stopped," Visa representative states. To report a merchant, send a letter to the bank that that issued your Visa card or call 1-800-VISA-911.
American Express also prohibits merchants from asking for IDs. "All a merchant is supposed to do is take an imprint, make sure the signature matches and swipe the card through the terminal, to get authorization."
Never show ID for signed credit card purchases.
No ID required for signed credit card purchases. Merchants cannot require ID.
If a merchant tries to require ID, immediately call 1-800-VISA-911 to ensure they never do again.
VISA: 1-800-VISA-911
MasterCard: 1-800-300-3069
Also easily report merchant violations online at:
http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/contactus/merchantviolations.html
Check the box that says "Merchant required ID"
Never show ID for signed credit card purchases.
No ID required for signed credit card purchases.
Make sure your community is 100% violation-free. :)
Obviously it is a major security and identity theft risk, extreme invasion of privacy and a no-brainer to keep your ID to yourself. No reasonable adult would hand over their ID to some violating cashier on demand. The most important thing is to make sure it never happens again, so if any violating merchant should ever pop-up in your community, make sure they are eliminated/brought back into line immediately - 1-800-VISA-911.
To report, simply call 1-800-VISA-911, press zero twice, and ask to file an "incident report" regarding a merchant violation/merchant who required ID. Crooked merchants shape-up quickly to avoid suspension. Make sure your community is 100% violation-free. :)
Merchants who insist on requiring ID for credit cards purchases will get a reprimand from their processor if they are reported and may be subject to fines.
The thing that bugs me is if I am a regular and you still want me to show id. Not a good way to have return customers. I will gladly show it a few times. You might here me say I am a regular. You seen it enough times to know me by name.
Care to tell us what store your work at?
Simply call 1-800-VISA-911. They will walk the idiot cashier step-by-step through proper card acceptance procedure.
CREDIT CARD SIGNATURE IS ALL THE ID NEEDED
When you pay for merchandise with a Visa card, MasterCard, or American Express any store that accepts these cards should accept yours too, no questions asked. It's part of the deal that merchants agree to when they become participating members.
They must check your signature and the card - electronically or by telephone - to be sure it's valid. Once the answer comes up yes, they can go ahead and charge. They can't ask you for any further identification - not a license plate number, Social Security number, proof of address, phone number or picture ID.
Your personal ID isn't needed because Visa, MasterCard, and American Express all guarantee payment on cards that have been properly checked. If the issuer mistakenly authorizes a sale on a bad card, it should make good. MasterCard says that merchants receive instant settlement. The contract MasterCard merchants sign specifically prevents them from asking for personal ID.
Unfortunately, not all merchants play by the rules. Some, apparently, haven't read them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
MasterCard wants to hear about merchants who break their rules. Send the name and address and an account of what happened to MasterCard WorldWide 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577. The merchant's bank will get a stiff letter, ordering it to investigate and bring the offending store into line - or pay a $2,000 fine.
Visa enforces the same rules as MasterCard. "When we hear about a violation, we ask the bank that signed the merchant to get together with the merchant and see that the practice is stopped," Visa representative states. To report a merchant, send a letter to the bank that that issued your Visa card or call 1-800-VISA-911.
American Express also prohibits merchants from asking for IDs. "All a merchant is supposed to do is take an imprint, make sure the signature matches and swipe the card through the terminal, to get authorization."
I've gotten a couple merchants shut-off from accepting credit cards over repeat violations of this issue (they usually change their practice within a few hours of being shut-off; it really gets their attention).
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