We've had these for many years in Canada..quick, easy and efficient. Don't understand the delay in implementing these chip readers in the USA. They are more secure, the new tap for sales under a certain amount ($50 or $100 depending on the retailer) is so quick...but the best part is the mobile readers which they bring to the table at a restaurant...the tip option is so convenient, plus, the card never leaves your sight.
4
The US is woefully behind the rest of the world where CC transactions are concerned.
Tap-to-pay (rest of the world) with credit and debit (ATM) cards has been running smoothly everywhere but the US for many years.
Yet the US is grappling with "chip" transactions as if it is new. It is already quite ancient!
Apple rolled out Apple Pay as if it was a miracle of convenience and security when the rest of the world was quite used to tap-to-pay transactions.
To be sure, the costs to merchants to upgrade terminals can be quite high. They are either purchased outright or rented from a processor.
Tap-to-pay (rest of the world) with credit and debit (ATM) cards has been running smoothly everywhere but the US for many years.
Yet the US is grappling with "chip" transactions as if it is new. It is already quite ancient!
Apple rolled out Apple Pay as if it was a miracle of convenience and security when the rest of the world was quite used to tap-to-pay transactions.
To be sure, the costs to merchants to upgrade terminals can be quite high. They are either purchased outright or rented from a processor.
1
I think people are being too hard on this article. Like many, I've been bemused by the fact that so many chip-reader terminals don't work and the brief confusion it causes. Serious issue? Of course not. But that doesn't mean that it isn't worth a mention. And, really, having had my credit card number stolen several times now with the consequent inconvenience, I'm glad that the chip readers are here. I only wish that the credit card companies would make their use mandatory and that they had included a provision for safe online transactions. The technology exists but just as banks didn't introduce the chip cards for ten years because they could charge fraud costs back to the customer, they've been dragging their feet on this.
3
In much of Europe, no pin code is required at purchase for credit cards, although it is needed with debit cards.
1
I must be more flexible than most because I understand that this is a major change that we will adjust to over time. Complaints about a credit card reader seem very silly and small when contrasted with the inability to pay credit card bills experienced by large segments of our population.
4
"The chips work a little differently in the 150 other countries using them: The cardholder also enters a PIN at the terminal, which lets the verification process happen offline, Mr. Oxman said."
it is interesting that US buyers are not yet required to use a PIN nor have yet voiced a strong opinion about not being able to use a PIN (to my knowledge). buyers heretofore have little liability in a fraudulent credit transaction, although they can be responsible somewhat for fraudulent debit card transactions, which might require a PIN as they do at ATMs. i wonder if buyers in other countries are more responsible for credit and debit card fraud than in the US?
also, web pages can scramble numbers like a chip reader, but why not use a PIN for internet transactions too (instead of just the 3-4 digit identity code often found on the back of the card)? both buyers and sellers on the internet might favor the use of a PIN, depending on the amount of and the liability for fraud.
it is interesting that US buyers are not yet required to use a PIN nor have yet voiced a strong opinion about not being able to use a PIN (to my knowledge). buyers heretofore have little liability in a fraudulent credit transaction, although they can be responsible somewhat for fraudulent debit card transactions, which might require a PIN as they do at ATMs. i wonder if buyers in other countries are more responsible for credit and debit card fraud than in the US?
also, web pages can scramble numbers like a chip reader, but why not use a PIN for internet transactions too (instead of just the 3-4 digit identity code often found on the back of the card)? both buyers and sellers on the internet might favor the use of a PIN, depending on the amount of and the liability for fraud.
1
Another great thing about Canada!
We have had chip for so many years that I haven't signed for anything- not even at a restaurant- since the last time I was in the US. I tap my debit or credit card for so many quick purchases. At 7-11 in Boston last summer, I used the tap feature and the guy behind the register was amazed! He had never seen anyone use it before.
My favorite feature is at restaurants, they simply being over the cordless card reader and hand it to you. You put your card in, tell the machine what % tip to add , and voila- take your card out. No mind math, no risk of losing your card. This ex-pat thinks US is behind on this one.
We have had chip for so many years that I haven't signed for anything- not even at a restaurant- since the last time I was in the US. I tap my debit or credit card for so many quick purchases. At 7-11 in Boston last summer, I used the tap feature and the guy behind the register was amazed! He had never seen anyone use it before.
My favorite feature is at restaurants, they simply being over the cordless card reader and hand it to you. You put your card in, tell the machine what % tip to add , and voila- take your card out. No mind math, no risk of losing your card. This ex-pat thinks US is behind on this one.
3
Why can't they tape a small sign to the card terminal telling whether to swipe?
4
Funny, Apple Pay does all those steps in about one second? Why are we settling for second best?
Every chip reader I've encountered has the customer insert the card in the bottom of the machine. The slot is often not visible. So folks fiddle around trying to find the slot and usually end up stooping or bending over to find it.
It's a minor inconvenience. But from a product design standpoint it's a major blunder. What were the engineers thinking? Obviously not about the people that were going to have to use the things.
It's a minor inconvenience. But from a product design standpoint it's a major blunder. What were the engineers thinking? Obviously not about the people that were going to have to use the things.
2
I don't understand these problems. I'm French, and we have been using chip credit cards for years. the system is reliable, easy and fast. For purchases less than 20 €, you just put your card ON the receiver, without typing your PIN number, and that's it: 3 seconds max. As this technology exists, why can't the U.S. have it?
1
Are you kidding me? You work for and/or read the NYTimes and you can't figure out how to use your credit card? My Republican friends would say, "of course". This article is second in inanity only to the article about promoting not flossing from a few days ago.
3
I live in Norway. The chip/pin system was rolled out years ago within just a few weeks time. Never had any problem, although I suspect it will be eclipsed by mobile pay within a few years.
In the past six months I have had two chip-enabled cards comprised and used to make large unauthorized purchases. In the twenty years previous to the chip rollout, I saw about three cards compromised. Is there something wrong with the technology.
Also, for the life of me I can't understand why our banking system didn't go to chip-and-pin technology. It's ridiculous that I still have to sign. As as silly protest, I've been signing names of famous scientists, drawing lines, doodling -- anything but my actual signature. No one cares or checks. Every transaction goes through. Meanwhile, without a PIN I can't use my card overseas at kiosks or remote stores. And it's not nearly as safe.
Also, for the life of me I can't understand why our banking system didn't go to chip-and-pin technology. It's ridiculous that I still have to sign. As as silly protest, I've been signing names of famous scientists, drawing lines, doodling -- anything but my actual signature. No one cares or checks. Every transaction goes through. Meanwhile, without a PIN I can't use my card overseas at kiosks or remote stores. And it's not nearly as safe.
3
A chip card without a pin makes no sense. If a pin isn't required to use the card than anyone can use it. Someone who steals your card can do a lot of purchasing in the time it takes to realize the card is missing and report it stolen. A pin would go a long way to stop that.
3
Quite true but the presence of the chip itself will cut down, at least for now, the cloning of cards that goes on when a number and an expiration date is stolen and the information impregnated on a magnetic strip.
Our banks, bless their little hearts, claim that their losses due to fraud is far less than the cost of implementing pins for credit purchases. Also, Americans tend to carry more cards than most other nationalities and so while memorizing one four digit pin is not a problem to most, (it is to some) having three or four different pins when say travelling and pulling out a card and entering the pin of another card would become commonplace.
American banks should have adopted chip and pin for uniformity's sake with the rest of the world but the banks' argument is not entirely wrong as long as we remember that ultimately the consumer bears no liability for fraud.
Our banks, bless their little hearts, claim that their losses due to fraud is far less than the cost of implementing pins for credit purchases. Also, Americans tend to carry more cards than most other nationalities and so while memorizing one four digit pin is not a problem to most, (it is to some) having three or four different pins when say travelling and pulling out a card and entering the pin of another card would become commonplace.
American banks should have adopted chip and pin for uniformity's sake with the rest of the world but the banks' argument is not entirely wrong as long as we remember that ultimately the consumer bears no liability for fraud.
Europeans have been using chip and pin for ages. It's super fast, secure and efficient.
Somehow we've found a way of taking a tried and true technology and making it inefficient to use.
Somehow we've found a way of taking a tried and true technology and making it inefficient to use.
4
Much of the frustration with the transition to chip-cards could be CURED, if the card readers simply had clear signs or screens that Gave The Correct Instructions. The readers tell the purchaser to do A, when F is the only correct action. This is not necessary or fair.
2
I hate the way my automatic car windows go so slowly. It takes, like, 3 maybe 4 seconds.
I don't know how I can stand it. Life just keeps getting worse.
I'd like to read an article about automatic car window speed.
I don't know how I can stand it. Life just keeps getting worse.
I'd like to read an article about automatic car window speed.
11
I have been using chip cards for over 15 years. What I really want to use is my phone to pay with. In the USA you have ways of paying your bill by putting your phone or watch up to the card reader. If you use Apple Pay, your credit card number isn't even transmitted to the retailer.
But Americans are among the most resistant to change in the world. They have every innovation available to them yet can't seem to cope with the slightest change should I swipe or do I dip, oh no do I look stupid?
Pay with your phone or watch. It's the easiest.
But Americans are among the most resistant to change in the world. They have every innovation available to them yet can't seem to cope with the slightest change should I swipe or do I dip, oh no do I look stupid?
Pay with your phone or watch. It's the easiest.
1
Chip and pin is so much easier and more secure than signing a statement.
It is about time we Americans started using it.
It is about time we Americans started using it.
1
On the contrary, the "easiest" is swipe and go. In the USA at many establishments, visa, mc and amex allow the merchant not to bother with signatures for purchases under $50. How secure that is remains a different matter; not that anybody checks signatures for most purchases anyway whether by swipe or by chi.
Come on. It is an absolutely effortless endeavor. The chip cards take 3 seconds for transactions and they are theft-proof. People complaining is just a large, whine that accompanies any and all new technology that makes life better. And if you feel stupid because you are not sure what to do, swipe or push card in, you might need to stop and take a breath...
3
Lead pipes in use for drinking water, no high-speed railways, measuring in feet and inches, daunting many believing in the existence of a devil but not in climate change - and now a simple card issue...
It'a a paradox that the riches nation in history and a land with so many brilliant individuals in all professions can seem so backward, conservative and hostile to certain changes, even progressive ones.
But we love you anyway!
It'a a paradox that the riches nation in history and a land with so many brilliant individuals in all professions can seem so backward, conservative and hostile to certain changes, even progressive ones.
But we love you anyway!
10
We don't have high speed railways because of the distance between our cities -- New York and LA are 2.451 miles apart; London and Paris are 214 miles from one another.
High speed rail would be practical in the Northeast Corridor -- Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Boston -- and perhaps someday the cheapskate Republicans will fund Amtrak's proposed high speed upgrade of that line. But in most locations even high speed trains would be too slow to be competitive with air travel.
Agree about the English system, though. Absurd.
High speed rail would be practical in the Northeast Corridor -- Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Boston -- and perhaps someday the cheapskate Republicans will fund Amtrak's proposed high speed upgrade of that line. But in most locations even high speed trains would be too slow to be competitive with air travel.
Agree about the English system, though. Absurd.
1
Didn't I just read that hackers have already been able to hack the chip cards?
1
"Why it has taken so long to adopt the chip technology in the United States?"
Because it is not US technology and does not fit our "exceptionalism". Similarly, just take a look at our flimsy and error-prone Metrocard and then compare it to the Oyster card in London and other European capitals.
Because it is not US technology and does not fit our "exceptionalism". Similarly, just take a look at our flimsy and error-prone Metrocard and then compare it to the Oyster card in London and other European capitals.
3
Actually, the technology was developed in the United States. It just wasn't adopted here for a long while.
1
The whole thing strikes me as so Protestant. You can stick it in, but then you can't move it. Then you have to pull it out--your 'transaction' is complete. The whole act of consumerism symbolized by a act that leaves one feeling empty.
3
Your really think it's that hard??? You insert it, wait till it tells you it's done, and then you take it out. Stupid people beefing about this are the same ones keeping us from going metric, getting rid of the penny or switching from bills to $1 coins.
1
Mr. Oxman, quoted in the story, says it took the US so long to adopt chip cards because "Changing it is a huge undertaking". What I'd like him to explain is why the US chose a chip and signature system, instead of the chip and PIN system everyone else uses, and not even give customers a choice. The slowness of the US system, as compared with the faster offline chip and PIN system used in the rest of the world, seems to be one of the major complaints. Please, Mr. Oxman, why? I would rather have a PIN card.
How difficult is it to read the notice on the credit card machine? If it says swipe, then swipe. If it says swipe or insert your card then insert it if your card has a chip. ( Insert the end that is closer to the chip.) If you can't read and follow the simple instructions then you have more problems than just using your credit card. The loud beep to remind you to take your card is less of an annoyance than wondering where you left your card when you want to use it again.
2
FINALLY we have chips, but US issued chip cards STILL don't work in many (most?) European automated gas stations. I'm in Sweden right now and virtually all the stations here require a card at the pump. I had to go to 3 yesterday to find one that could read an American card.
Shouldn't these things all be the same no matter which bank they come from?
Shouldn't these things all be the same no matter which bank they come from?
3
Chip and pin introduced years ago in Australia (after Europe). Tap and go (no pin) up to $100 more recently. Can't remember anyone complaining.
I wonder what it is about the U.S.? Spending too much energy being angry and complaining, none left for progress?
I wonder what it is about the U.S.? Spending too much energy being angry and complaining, none left for progress?
Only in America!
"About 75 percent of credit cards are chip-enabled. If all businesses upgraded their terminals — which they are not required to do by law — at least the confusion over whether to swipe or insert would be settled."
Yeah. Nope. In Canada we all have chip bank debit cards as well as chip credit cards and practically every shop is different - swipe, insert, tap, etc. Depends on what machine a particular store chooses to use. They're all dead simple once you get used to them, but I don't expect there will ever be one, universal approach. I live in a small city and probably shop at a couple dozen places each week. The machine is often different one checkout counter to the next in the same store.
By the way it's not supposed to be faster, but more secure in safeguarding against fraud.
Yeah. Nope. In Canada we all have chip bank debit cards as well as chip credit cards and practically every shop is different - swipe, insert, tap, etc. Depends on what machine a particular store chooses to use. They're all dead simple once you get used to them, but I don't expect there will ever be one, universal approach. I live in a small city and probably shop at a couple dozen places each week. The machine is often different one checkout counter to the next in the same store.
By the way it's not supposed to be faster, but more secure in safeguarding against fraud.
Just wait until Trump wins the election and America will be "great" again. Forget ApplePay, forget chip, forget swipe, forget credit card. We will be writing checks, just like we did when America was great.
1
I am so happy to read this article. I have kept similar feelings to myself so as not to appear as dumb as I thought I was.
We've had them in Canada for years. Not that complicated. It would be nice if the retailers in the U.S. would indicate on the terminal what to so. Kind of simple.
2
The chip doesn't confuse me at all. While waiting for approval, I love having the extra time to do crossword puzzles.
I have been living in Taiwan for seven years and all of the bank cards have been chip cards since before I arrived.
There is totally nothing difficult or complicated about using them and I cannot understand why so many of my fellow Americans are making such a fuss.
As noted below, a few cards are tap-and-go and purchases under some threshold do not require a signature.
Actually, most banking here is very easy-much easier than in the US-while a few things are really terrible. No place has everything!
There is totally nothing difficult or complicated about using them and I cannot understand why so many of my fellow Americans are making such a fuss.
As noted below, a few cards are tap-and-go and purchases under some threshold do not require a signature.
Actually, most banking here is very easy-much easier than in the US-while a few things are really terrible. No place has everything!
11
Around here, only Walgreens (of the stores I patronize) and my frame shop take ApplePay.
1
Sit around children, let me tell you about my first world problems...
30
I'd rather use the chip card, but what IS taking so long to get the little boxes 'certified' for whatever that blessing is worth? If one of these readers go out, the local folks in charge of keeping the money flowing has a new one out in less than a day, sometimes an hour. So why aren't the card/chip readers certified from the time it is taken out of the box?
To make matters worse, I remember hearing with great fanfare, from MasterCard if I recollect correct, that IF you used a swipe card beyond Feb. of last year, the fraud protection normally associated with credit cards, won't apply. Guess which card company still hasn't sent me a chip enabled card yet, nearly a year later!
To make matters worse, I remember hearing with great fanfare, from MasterCard if I recollect correct, that IF you used a swipe card beyond Feb. of last year, the fraud protection normally associated with credit cards, won't apply. Guess which card company still hasn't sent me a chip enabled card yet, nearly a year later!
1
For all those traveling abroad, specially Europe, remember to ask your bank to get you a "pin" for your "chip" card. They need the "chip & pin" card. Only chip cards don't work.
1
Wrong. Banks will issue pins for use in case you make cash advances although because of most banks having high fees for them is usually not a good idea.
As far as purchases are concerned, there are many nay sayers out there who don't know what they are talking about. Chip and signature cards today will work 99.9% of the time, always at a pos terminal manned or womanned by a human being and almost always at kiosks. The credit card networks updated their regs prohibiting kiosks from out of hand rejecting a card for not having a pin. I am sure every so often you will find one or two that still don't but that has become few and far between.
As far as purchases are concerned, there are many nay sayers out there who don't know what they are talking about. Chip and signature cards today will work 99.9% of the time, always at a pos terminal manned or womanned by a human being and almost always at kiosks. The credit card networks updated their regs prohibiting kiosks from out of hand rejecting a card for not having a pin. I am sure every so often you will find one or two that still don't but that has become few and far between.
This actually isn't true for Europe; the restaurant or merchant will simply get a message asking for a signature on a paper receipt. Several years ago some merchants were confused by this but now they know what to do, even in remote areas.
1
We had no problem in Europe two months ago not using a PIN. American cards are programmed to tell the merchant that they need to get a signature from us because we're dumb Americans with a chip-and-signature card instead of a nice European chip-and-pin card. They give you a slip to sign. If you get a PIN from your bank, I think it is only to use to get cash out of an ATM using that credit card.
My problem with this difference is that it is one more thing that brands us as ignorant, unsophisticated Americans they'd rather not have to deal with except they need our money.
My problem with this difference is that it is one more thing that brands us as ignorant, unsophisticated Americans they'd rather not have to deal with except they need our money.
2
If Americans were'nt so dumb, this would been implemented 10 years ago when
the rest of the world did. But if the extra 10 seconds is killing your day, maybe you should just stay home and watch some more TV.
the rest of the world did. But if the extra 10 seconds is killing your day, maybe you should just stay home and watch some more TV.
36
If you're confused by a chip card, you've got bigger problems than the loss of a few seconds.
21
I have to enter my PIN every time I use my chip cards. So why does the article say we don't have the PIN check in the US?
7
Credit card or debit card? Debit cards use pins that are being cleared through a debit network. At your request, the transacton can be routed through a credit card network which the merchant doesn't want (more expensive) and won't require a pin.
As far as credit cards, there are very few institutions in the USA that issue cards reqiring pins. I know of only 2 very small fcu's. The rest use signatures or waive signatures for small purchases (not that for the most part anybody checks signatures in this country anyway).
As far as credit cards, there are very few institutions in the USA that issue cards reqiring pins. I know of only 2 very small fcu's. The rest use signatures or waive signatures for small purchases (not that for the most part anybody checks signatures in this country anyway).
2
I don't even have a PIN for my chip cards (except Target's Red Card), and I use them all the time. You must be talking about some other kind of card. A debit card perhaps?
You shouldn't have to enter pin for credit - US is still using chip and signature.
1
"Most of the new terminals that accept the chip-enabled cards are also equipped with the technology to accept contactless payments, like Apple Pay or Android Pay."
I run a small cafe and talk about this being the real reason our chip technology is so cruddy. There was no apparent reason for us to switch to paying with our phones which the powers that be want us to do. Now, as word gets out and chip experiences grow worse, they'll have us all using phone wallets soon enough. Just wait...
I run a small cafe and talk about this being the real reason our chip technology is so cruddy. There was no apparent reason for us to switch to paying with our phones which the powers that be want us to do. Now, as word gets out and chip experiences grow worse, they'll have us all using phone wallets soon enough. Just wait...
4
In Australia we've moved on yet another generation with cards. For purchases under $100 it's only necessary to tap the terminal with your M/C, Visa or Amex and keep walking; no signing; no PIN. Signing and swiping went out many years ago.
11
We have that too - HSBC credit cards have them and most of the new chip readers accept it.
This should not even warrant an article.
12
It is time to join the 21st Century.
6
First world problem. Get over it.
14
Anywhere that I go that doesn't support the chip is a place where I pay cash. The magstripe should have been retired 20 years ago.
8
First World Problems. Seriously, folks are unwilling to trade some beeping and a few extra seconds for better id security? Whatta world.
13
In Vancouver for the summer. The majority of merchants take Apple Pay. Just point your phone at the terminal and the transaction is completed in a micro-second without showing your credit card. No signature required as your identity is confirmed by your thumb print on the home button. Hopefully, some day the US will catch up to the rest of the modern world.
4
No need to condescend, Oliver. Plenty of US stores take Apple pay. But this isn't Cananda. It's a huge country, with a million small stores. Vancouver is a giant strip mall of multi-national chains. How wonderful for you.
But the U.S. has millions of mom n pop shops, bodegas, corner stores, delis, convenience stores, mini-markets, and individually owned and operated restaurants. They won't all be spending the thousands of dollars it costs to upgrade hardware so snotty posers from Vancouver can feel superior based on their payment method.
But the U.S. has millions of mom n pop shops, bodegas, corner stores, delis, convenience stores, mini-markets, and individually owned and operated restaurants. They won't all be spending the thousands of dollars it costs to upgrade hardware so snotty posers from Vancouver can feel superior based on their payment method.
2
I don't get the problem. You can tell a chip card terminal from a swipe terminal in a single glance. Put the card in, the screen tells you when to take it out. I can't recall hearing a noise from any I've used so if there was one it must have been pretty low. The chip terminal may take a moment longer on the transaction but I generally don't have Henry Kissinger waiting for me outside the store so the extra moment or two is nothing in the great scheme of things. Just do it.
4
Everything you say is right.
I was just amused at the example of a famous figure waiting on you.
Henry Kissinger?
Who would be waiting on me I wonder?
Elizabeth Warren?
No. I think it would be Atephen Hawking
I was just amused at the example of a famous figure waiting on you.
Henry Kissinger?
Who would be waiting on me I wonder?
Elizabeth Warren?
No. I think it would be Atephen Hawking
The credit card industry has merchants locked into multi year leases on terminals and equipment, many which need new software systems. The cost of breaking the lease is higher than the liability shift. A similar situation exists with the USPS and "intelligent bar codes" with postal meters. Visa and MasterCard used to be nonprofits, operating at cost to maintain a network for banks.
2
"You can't counterfeit a chip card." Absolutely NOT true.
I bank with Chase and have been charged for purchases I did not make.
I live in Northern California and somehow someone was using my card at a mall in Southern California to purchase over $500 worth of gift cards and assorted merchandise. Chases maintains that I'm responsible even though I provided a sworn affidavit that the card was never out of my possession and that I've never been to either Simi Valley nor Thousand Oaks in my life. The culprits also had my PIN !! Impossible? Possible.
I bank with Chase and have been charged for purchases I did not make.
I live in Northern California and somehow someone was using my card at a mall in Southern California to purchase over $500 worth of gift cards and assorted merchandise. Chases maintains that I'm responsible even though I provided a sworn affidavit that the card was never out of my possession and that I've never been to either Simi Valley nor Thousand Oaks in my life. The culprits also had my PIN !! Impossible? Possible.
6
Possible! I read about it already being hacked.
1
It's those pesky kids again.
I don't know about others' experiences, but it seems simple enough. The stores in my neighborhood have terminals that are set up for either chip or swipe. When it's time to pay, whichever slot is active lights up. Seems to me that there's no difference in the time it takes, although you have to watch the screen if the chip is used and remove your card when it tells you to.
4
What’s the problem? I have been using chip ’n’ PIN cards for about 17 years without problems.
If the PIN card is such a difficulty, I wonder where the real difficulty lies.
Anyway, these cards more difficult to counterfeit than swipe ones.
If the PIN card is such a difficulty, I wonder where the real difficulty lies.
Anyway, these cards more difficult to counterfeit than swipe ones.
4
There's no problem with your chip and PIN card. As the story says, those are verified offline, locally at the merchant, which happens nearly instantly.
But the US banks decided to reinvent the process for our chip and signature cards, requiring messages between the merchant and bank before the card is accepted, and before the card can be removed from the reader. This means we have to stand and wait. And worse, I used to swipe magnetic cards before the order was totaled, and the transaction would complete when the total was ready. With the chip cards, if you insert it early, you just stand and wait, doing nothing else useful like helping to bag your order, until the total is ready to begin the handshake with the bank. You can't remove your card until this is done, or the transaction fails and you and the cashier have to start over.
But the US banks decided to reinvent the process for our chip and signature cards, requiring messages between the merchant and bank before the card is accepted, and before the card can be removed from the reader. This means we have to stand and wait. And worse, I used to swipe magnetic cards before the order was totaled, and the transaction would complete when the total was ready. With the chip cards, if you insert it early, you just stand and wait, doing nothing else useful like helping to bag your order, until the total is ready to begin the handshake with the bank. You can't remove your card until this is done, or the transaction fails and you and the cashier have to start over.
Waiting for the chip is certainly faster than the old credit card swiper that you had to use to get the imprint of the raised numbers onto the carbon copy (3 copies) receipt.
1. put card on swiper
2. put receipt on swiper
3. pull across left then right
4. remove card and return to customer
5. remove receipt and have customer sign it.
6. pull off copy, hand least legible one to customer; keep other two
7. don't forget to ask for phone number and circle expiration date.
8. I'm out of breath now.
1. put card on swiper
2. put receipt on swiper
3. pull across left then right
4. remove card and return to customer
5. remove receipt and have customer sign it.
6. pull off copy, hand least legible one to customer; keep other two
7. don't forget to ask for phone number and circle expiration date.
8. I'm out of breath now.
9
Don't forget about phoning for authorization if the bill is over $100
3
Don't forget looking the number up EVERY time, if you're the cashier, to make sure the card isn't in the little book of stolen numbers, sent out weekly by the credit card company.
5
You left out the step where you had to check the card number against a printed list. Yes, I'm that old.
4
Please stop grousing about this to the checkout clerks. They have no control over this situation and are oh-so-sick of your comments and complaints. Thanks!
7
C'mon people. If your card has a chip and the terminal doesn't have a "no chip" sign, use the chip reader. How difficult is that?
9
I have never seen such a sign. It's always a guessing game. Seems like an incredibly simple, inexpensive, low-tech solution. At what enlightened retailers have you seen these "no chip" signs?
The time it takes to read a chip card is nothing compared to getting stuck behind someone who pays by check. They are still out there!
9
Why are people so stupid?! If you are using a credit card or mortgage or car payment you are basically being cheated and lied to by someone else including the rich, the corporations, the banksters/loan sharks, Republican'ts and their ilk! This IS simple. You OWE someone else who is manipulating YOUR life and safety. See the 2008 crash and 1929 crash caused by shysters who threw people onto the streets through deceptive loans and now the same ones who caused this recent mess are still deceiving you and yours through manipulated loans and interest rates and credit cards. Fools.
Wall Street and the banksters and corporations caused it before and will be guilty once again as they always are. Untrustworthy as usual. No different from the Mafia.
How to fix this? Pay everything in cash! Use cash ONLY and save, save, save for what you want and need and then and only then you OWE NO ONE ever again. More for only yourself and your family and friends. Simple.
Wall Street and the banksters and corporations caused it before and will be guilty once again as they always are. Untrustworthy as usual. No different from the Mafia.
How to fix this? Pay everything in cash! Use cash ONLY and save, save, save for what you want and need and then and only then you OWE NO ONE ever again. More for only yourself and your family and friends. Simple.
1
Credit cards are very handy and almost essential for on-line purchases.
As long as you have the discipline to pay them off in full every month, you are not being robbed by the greedy bankers.
Unfortunately, we are surrounded by technically sophisticated and manipulative advertising that suckers many people into debt they cannot pay in full every month. Then they find themselves with a parasite sucking the life out of them. Those people become the feeding station of the rich.
STOP WATCHING TV AND FREE YOURSELF FROM THE LIES!
I stopped in 1990 and have never looked back.
(But do keep reading the New York Time because it's the very best newspaper in the entire world; not perfect, but still the very best!)
As long as you have the discipline to pay them off in full every month, you are not being robbed by the greedy bankers.
Unfortunately, we are surrounded by technically sophisticated and manipulative advertising that suckers many people into debt they cannot pay in full every month. Then they find themselves with a parasite sucking the life out of them. Those people become the feeding station of the rich.
STOP WATCHING TV AND FREE YOURSELF FROM THE LIES!
I stopped in 1990 and have never looked back.
(But do keep reading the New York Time because it's the very best newspaper in the entire world; not perfect, but still the very best!)
9
And if you pay with cash for everything you do realize that you'll have absolutely NO credit rating whatsoever and that'll be a huge negative when it comes time to purchase a home.
3
We have had the chip and code in South Africa for some time. Generally all cards are inserted and then the pin is given. The process is very quick - much faster than what we deal with here. There is also the added benefit of knowing that someone cannot use your card unless they have the pin. I am stumped as to why the US did not want this added security.
7
We have had chip cards requiring pins for YEARS in Canada. The only place one cannot use them is at American owner chain restaurants like Red Lobster
The chip cards are great and reduce fraud significantly.
Ask any Canadian bank for help. Swiping and franking cards is so last century
The chip cards are great and reduce fraud significantly.
Ask any Canadian bank for help. Swiping and franking cards is so last century
1
In the civilized world where chip-and-pin is the de facto standard, chip-and-signature cards are just another example of "American exceptionalism", in the same camp with ounces and feet. The banks and credit card companies have no incentive to switch, and they are too big to be compelled to do so. ApplePay and similar technologies may work, but they are likely to work differently in other countries and to be subject to transaction and currency exchange fees.
My Target chip-and-pin credit card is the only card that works properly. So I want Chase, Citibank. Capital One, Amex, Visa, and Mastercard to skip the excuses and send me cards that work properly at every credit card location, unlike the current batch of chip-and-signature cards that often fail at toll booths, train ticket booths, gas stations, and more outside the US.
My Target chip-and-pin credit card is the only card that works properly. So I want Chase, Citibank. Capital One, Amex, Visa, and Mastercard to skip the excuses and send me cards that work properly at every credit card location, unlike the current batch of chip-and-signature cards that often fail at toll booths, train ticket booths, gas stations, and more outside the US.
6
Of course, one may ask why you need all those credit cards in the first place.
I am really confused. I thought I was reading a story from 2004.
Just kidding America. Like gay rights and highly elected females, you are really catching up to the rest of us.
Don't worry, chip cards are really not scary. Almost positive you can make the technological leap.
Just kidding America. Like gay rights and highly elected females, you are really catching up to the rest of us.
Don't worry, chip cards are really not scary. Almost positive you can make the technological leap.
13
"Do you swipe it or insert it?"
Just ask, dummkopf. It's not rocket science.
Just ask, dummkopf. It's not rocket science.
5
Gosh. Americans can gripe about anything and everything, can't we? The point is to make our transactions more secure and that is a good thing. What a bunch of whiners we have become.
9
Seriously, confusion? We have chips in Canada--and have for quite a long time. I can't even imagine finding it confusing. Stick it in, type pin and you're done. And anyone who finds this burdensome, needs to get a new sense of what is a burden.
You guys will really freak out when you get cards you can simply tap. Imagine that! It might be enough of a crisis to drive even more people into the arms of the Trump campaign.
You guys will really freak out when you get cards you can simply tap. Imagine that! It might be enough of a crisis to drive even more people into the arms of the Trump campaign.
6
Seriously? Looking dumb? Complaining about how long it takes or the noise it makes? Y'all must lead sheltered & charmed lives if you have to complain about such things. If it's not clear (such as a 'no swipe' sign or tape over the chip opening), I just say "are we chipping or sliding?" or some such. What's the big deal?
12
In Europe, the chip cards require a pin. Some places won't take cards without a pin, notably unstaffed toll booths on the auto route and unstaffed 24 hr gas stations. In such places, my chip card didn't work a couple weeks ago. (Though, finally! a chip card...it was worse with swiping having gone out of use in Europe years ago.) What is with the USA? Are we so unable to upgrade our technology? It is ridiculous.
11
On my last trip to Europe I finally had a chip card and thought I was good. Banks are even pushing for unattended terminals that require a PIN to require no PIN and no signature if presented with a chip and signature card (they really think disabling all the security features is a good idea?).
I ran into a completely unexpected problem at a Deutsche Bahn ticket machine. I bought a Deutsche Bahn (German national railway) ticket from it with my chip and signature card. Everything worked fine. The next day, I returned to the exact same machine, and tried to buy a ticket for the local train. The same machine sells both, but the local train is separately owned. My credit card was NOT ACCEPTED! I have no idea why. Because the machine is programmed to override the usual PIN requirement for the national train system but not the local one? Something else? No clue. I started over, selecting ticket type, number of passengers, etc. all over again. Still declined. So as my planned departure time approached, and still blocking the only ticket machine from anyone else using it, I started counting my paper currency and digging for coins, to see if I had enough to buy my ticket. Including many coins, I did. Starting over, I selected my ticket type again, slowly inserting all my paper currency and many coins, I finally got my ticket just in time to run and catch my train.
I'm afraid American cards, even chip and signature, are still not totally reliable for use in Europe.
I ran into a completely unexpected problem at a Deutsche Bahn ticket machine. I bought a Deutsche Bahn (German national railway) ticket from it with my chip and signature card. Everything worked fine. The next day, I returned to the exact same machine, and tried to buy a ticket for the local train. The same machine sells both, but the local train is separately owned. My credit card was NOT ACCEPTED! I have no idea why. Because the machine is programmed to override the usual PIN requirement for the national train system but not the local one? Something else? No clue. I started over, selecting ticket type, number of passengers, etc. all over again. Still declined. So as my planned departure time approached, and still blocking the only ticket machine from anyone else using it, I started counting my paper currency and digging for coins, to see if I had enough to buy my ticket. Including many coins, I did. Starting over, I selected my ticket type again, slowly inserting all my paper currency and many coins, I finally got my ticket just in time to run and catch my train.
I'm afraid American cards, even chip and signature, are still not totally reliable for use in Europe.
2
Before you go to other countries, be sure to check which credit cards are acceptable there. Last summer I discovered I couldn't use VISA at most places in Holland--they accepted MasterCard. I, too had trouble with a train ticket, and it's not always easy to find out how to deal with the situation on the spot.
1
I haven't had a problem with using a chip\signature card in Europe for at least 5 years. I used to keep a European chip\pin card with me just in case but I stopped doing that because I haven't had any problems. Even toll booths and unattended gas stations work well now.
What is the big deal. The chip cards have been used in Europe for years. If our so-called chip experts can't do it right, fly someone over from Italy, France, England, etc. I have traveled in all these countries, using a chip card, and never once had a problem. SOFTWARE - make sure that the person that wrote the software knew what they were doing and the person who installed the software on the company's (e.g. Staples, your market, etc.) had any idea of what they were doing.
In other words, I find it no big deal and would prefer the "CHIP" - it is far safer.
In other words, I find it no big deal and would prefer the "CHIP" - it is far safer.
14
I too am annoyed by the new "improved" chip technology. But, check this out. When I was a kid, in the '60's, whenever my parents would use their credit card, the clerk used to have to look the 15 digit code up in a book that had fraudulent card numbers in it. Picture that. Flipping thru the pages of a book, thousands of scammed card numbers, by eye, to compare to your card number. Hmmm...the chip ain't lookin' so bad now, is it?
15
I remember, as a teenager, working at a gas station back in the early 80's we actually had to call the credit card company for purchases over a certain amount.
3
the numbers weren't random, though, were they? they were in numerical order -- so it made "flipping through the pages" a breeze.
Ellen, you must be fortunate in always having clerks who could actually figure out alphabetical order...were you in the US?
I've been doing this in France for the past 14 years. It's not a problem. Everything goes smoothly and it in-and-out of the store, any store, in minutes. Guess what your next step will be.... If you are following France, which it appears you are doing. You soon won't be writing checks anymore either. I haven't seen a money order here in years. Maybe they are still around but I just have seen them. Western Union though is very active.
2
It is getting faster already. It is worth the pain of transition to reduce fraud. I think we waited too long to implement this.
6
What really takes too long is for credit card companies and merchants to take card security and cybersecurity seriously.
People may think that credit card fees pay for loses to fraudulent transactions, but in too many cases, credit card companies push the cost of fraud back to small merchants. That put my mother's boutique out of business.
That US deployment of chip cards and faster software revisions reflects the arrogance of the financial sector that still thinks it knows better than us -- while criminals continue to show just what sluggards bankers are.
People may think that credit card fees pay for loses to fraudulent transactions, but in too many cases, credit card companies push the cost of fraud back to small merchants. That put my mother's boutique out of business.
That US deployment of chip cards and faster software revisions reflects the arrogance of the financial sector that still thinks it knows better than us -- while criminals continue to show just what sluggards bankers are.
6
Last night at Wynn Dixie grocery store at Pinellas Place, The Villages, the terminal totally failed. Three managers were called to try and help. Finally rather than hold up everyone behind us, they electronically sent the transaction to a service counter terminal and then started from scratch. After about 15 minutes one talented clerk with some IT experience took the card and entered it into the slot with chip facing outward, not into the terminal. The machine spit out a bulletin "Chip Malfunction...Swipe the Magnetic Strip"...So, we did. The machine accepted the swiping of the strip and the transaction was completed.
Wynn Dixie gave us a $20 gift certificate for our great patience. We're happy!
Wynn Dixie gave us a $20 gift certificate for our great patience. We're happy!
1
Here's a report from Canada, where we use chip with PIN, swipe with PIN, and tap. It's really frustrating when we customers have to interact with a cashier, to ask "Insert or Swipe?" To make matters worse, the government hasn't awarded a monopolistic right to make machines to a single company, so the machines aren't all identical. So the poor cashier actually has to be patient while a customer looks at the machine and thinks. All of which leaves us very little time for Pokemon Go.
11
There was just a report last night on news that indeed, 'chip cards' are also now hackable.
And ... so it goes.
And ... so it goes.
3
Nothing in life is totally secure.
But chip and pin is more secure than swiping a credit card.
But chip and pin is more secure than swiping a credit card.
Welcome to the 20th Century, American consumers. Just wait until you have the tap function, you'll be confused out of your minds.
8
Are you kidding me? This is a problem? if I'm not sure whether to swipe or insert, I engage in something called communication, and ask the nice cashier which he or she would prefer. I proceed accordingly. I leave the store with the thing I probably don't need. Get a grip, O Citizens!
42
It would be easier is a small sign were affixed to the machine: "Swipe only" or "Insert chip if you've got one"
1
Really, Allen, you expect these petty gripers to read signs? I'm with Patricia on this.
3
As my internet weather guy says when a user cannot find where they live on the weather map: "Please sir, do not either reproduce or vote"
2
Oh, for crying out loud. I have a chip-enabled card that I sometimes have to swipe and other times can use the reader. Using the reader tales 20-30 seconds longer, max. And a sound, too, like many ATM machines to alert you to take your card. How horrible!
15
Oh please, if people really wanted a faster checkout transaction, then they'd bag their own groceries instead of standing there like an idiot reading their emails while waiting for the cashier to do it for them.
39
I used to bag my own groceries until my store enabled its chip reader. I would swipe my card, then go to the end of the counter and start bagging. This doesn't work with the chip card. If I insert it while the cashier is still ringing up my items, the reader just sits there saying "do not remove your card" until the cashier reaches the final total to complete the credit card transaction. So not wanting to walk away from my card, where the next customer may take it, may read my number which is partly visible while the card is in the reader, or I may forget to return for it, I just stand and wait while the cashier bags. Then I tried not inserting it at all, and moving down the counter to bag until the cashier finished the order. But then, I find the next customer may push their cart past the card reader, blocking my return to insert my card. So now I usually let the cashier bag.
As far as I'm concerned, the banks completely botched the rollout of chip cards. They're concerned about duplicated cards. What about cards people lose, maybe by leaving them behind because they have to be left in the reader for so long? Their solution is to have the reader make a noise, possibly after the customer has already walked away, because it took so long to complete the transaction? With no PIN, a lost or forgotten card is completely insecure, because almost nobody ever checks the signature on signature cards.
Banks, please give us chip and PIN cards like the rest of the world uses.
As far as I'm concerned, the banks completely botched the rollout of chip cards. They're concerned about duplicated cards. What about cards people lose, maybe by leaving them behind because they have to be left in the reader for so long? Their solution is to have the reader make a noise, possibly after the customer has already walked away, because it took so long to complete the transaction? With no PIN, a lost or forgotten card is completely insecure, because almost nobody ever checks the signature on signature cards.
Banks, please give us chip and PIN cards like the rest of the world uses.
5
If this is all you have to worry about, life is fat and happy!
31
This is the kind of story that makes me shake my head in frutration.
Three or four people who can't seem to have an unexpressed thought tweet some snarky hyperbole about chip cards. Suddenly all Americans are confused and agitated by chip cards.
"Hi please come to my one woman show its just me screaming atop my lungs about how much I hate the credit card chip"
Really, Hannah? This is what makes you scream at the top of your lungs?
Let's be clear, at least based on what I see in checkout lines the vast majority of Americans are just fine with chip cards. We're patient, intelligent and not given to hysteria.
A suggestion; stop writing stories based on people's tweets.
Three or four people who can't seem to have an unexpressed thought tweet some snarky hyperbole about chip cards. Suddenly all Americans are confused and agitated by chip cards.
"Hi please come to my one woman show its just me screaming atop my lungs about how much I hate the credit card chip"
Really, Hannah? This is what makes you scream at the top of your lungs?
Let's be clear, at least based on what I see in checkout lines the vast majority of Americans are just fine with chip cards. We're patient, intelligent and not given to hysteria.
A suggestion; stop writing stories based on people's tweets.
69
So how come out of all the CHIP enabled retailers, Walgreens manages to be so much faster? It's even faster than the swipe system at other checkouts.
2
The speed of the transaction is a red herring. What retail stores object to is the fact that transactions made with Apple Pay and chip cards are anonymous just like cash transactions. Chip cards will not be really secure until the magnetic strip on the card is removed. It is there now to maintain compatibility with old fashioned terminals.
8
So many busy and important people there must be! Heaven forbid you waste a second of your precious time anywhere. How did so many of you find time to write comments here?
12
This situation is not that big of a deal. Europe has done this years ago. America just needs to realize that chip's are a lot better. There are many reasons for this but the number one is security. The security of your life is much more important then the couple seconds that swiping costs. It should be unlawful to use swiping as it has become useless in modern day society. It is incredibly easy for one to steal someone's life with a swipe card. If america realized how easy it was no one ever swipe their life away.
2
We've had them in Canada for quite awhile now. What's the big deal?
15
And ours come with a PIN. It will probably take the US ten more years to catch up on that. It really is all about the fact that small businesses are such a strong lobby, and they have resisted and resisted something that is standard in every other advanced country on earth. Note the comment in the article that it is not mandatory in the US, hence all the confusion and mixed systems.
26
Works fine all over Europe! Why all the whinging?
16
Can this really be that confusing? No wonder we're a country of tragically ridiculously math-challenged people who view "smart" phone use as a form of technology mastery.
11
A first-world problem. The things some people kvetch about.
3
I own a small diner. Just got nailed for $54.54 chargeback. Someone signed a credit card slip last month on a very busy weekend, but now they say it wasn't them. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but I just had my bank account debited. Have just bought a NEW card reader that is chip enabled to protect against future fraud. The newish machine I had was supposed to be chip capable, but turns out it couldn't be enabled by my credit card processor.
For low rent places like mine, credit card charges are a significant expense.
And a huge hassle. Please people, can't anyone out there use cash anymore?
For low rent places like mine, credit card charges are a significant expense.
And a huge hassle. Please people, can't anyone out there use cash anymore?
23
susan, I use cash. But whenever I'm at some stores and reach for my wallet to pay the cashier immediately assumes that I'm paying by credit or debit card. They get ready for me to swipe and miss the most important part: waiting until I indicate how I'm going to pay.
I prefer cash for most of my daily transactions because it hurts to spend. I see the money vanish.
What I'm confused about is when I follow the directions at my bank and it tells me to remove the card and then put it back. I wish it would make up its mind.
I prefer cash for most of my daily transactions because it hurts to spend. I see the money vanish.
What I'm confused about is when I follow the directions at my bank and it tells me to remove the card and then put it back. I wish it would make up its mind.
1
I love cash. And, I am quick at making exact change on small purchases. But I almost always use a card for any purchase over $100.
1
I'm 63. I still use cash. But people look at me like I'm 63.
9
I was just going to write about American exceptionalism and the metric system but I see 39 people beat me to the exact same point. Perhaps it is time to think about where the USA fits in the world in the 21st century.
9
SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY. SIMPLIFY.
And make it quick.
And make it quick.
1
Apple Pay is fast, convenient and secure -- especially with Apple Watch. Having the technology on your wrist also allows it to be used in other settings, such as pay-turnstiles, door locks, cars, etc.
I travel all over the world and it's only an issue in the US - The chip seems to work fine wherever else I go
11
The Chip Technology is too complicated for average Americans!
5
I don't get the big deal. First of all, I just ask if I'm supposed to swipe or insert.
Secondly, you don't have to sign with the chip transactions so that's one part that's faster. Yeah it's a few seconds longer. I can spend that time appreciating that my credit card number is not going through these servers.
Secondly, you don't have to sign with the chip transactions so that's one part that's faster. Yeah it's a few seconds longer. I can spend that time appreciating that my credit card number is not going through these servers.
30
I still have to sign, but the triggering amount depends on the merchant's rule.
1
Just as with ApplePay, many merchants still want that scratching we call a signature.
1
Every chip transaction I have ever had required me to sign. Of course I don't live in NY and things may be different there....
Americans are such whiners ... always complaining about something insignificant. No wonder most of the world thinks we're idiots.
8
This should have happened years ago
1
Thanks for the story. We all experience it but, really a first world problem.
Honestly, when will this madness end? And why do some stores have signs (albeit post-it notes) telling me what to do while others just want me to guess? It's like we're all rats in some wild, Trump-ian experiment.
Also, love the article format. Very engaging.
Also, love the article format. Very engaging.
1
What's so confusing about the chip card?
15
Oh, shut up and quit whining. Before U-scans, I'd have to stand in check-out line behind someone who might take five minutes to write a check. Big deal! Americans are incredibly impatient and spoiled. A chip-card transaction barely takes a few seconds and better to hear that little beep than walk off and leave your card. I can't imagine the doleful din if people actually had to use . . . CASH! Oh, no, not THAT!
11
The verification process takes nowhere near as long as someone who suddenly realizes they have to pay - fishes through a purse the size of backpack to find a wallet - rifles through the wallet to find a credit card - then realizes that they have a points card too - then.....
well you get the general idea.
well you get the general idea.
7
I can't believe this is an issue. In Canada we've been using chip cards for years and tap and pay for a couple of years. What is your problem? If that's your biggest issue in life, then you've got it pretty good.
26
I was visiting Britain in 2008-2009, and when the till instructed one sales assistant to swipe my US card, she annoyedly asked me, "When is the US going to adopt a chip & PIN system?" To which I replied, "Our banks have rather more important things on their minds at this moment in financial history."
3
It isn't an issue. Been using credit cards with chips for years in Europe and now in the US. I can't imagine why anyone takes these whiners seriously.
3
What may well become one of the most perfectly classical examples of myopic stupidity in the history of technical change. The only perspective taken into account was that of the card issuers. But the perspective of the user is not irrelevant with this particular product. In Europe a pin works very well with such cards. As usual the US refuses to learn from anywhere else, and suffers the consequences.
33
Maybe our country will finally consider adopting the metric system next, like the rest of the world did last century.
9
America is so charmingly retrograde: You still print paper money that's worth only $1 (surely one of the world's lowest-denomination paper currencies) and make change for pennies. (Canada eliminated pennies - rounding up or down for cash transactions, but keeping them in electronic transactions - with barely a one-week blip. Cashiers - especially - are delighted.) Are these long-outdated requirements part of your Constitution too?
15
A couple of thoughts:
- A central motivation for chip cards is that they cannot be counterfeited as swipe cards can. But that just counts for this week. Already a great mob of very bright international crooks are certainly working very hard to do exactly that. And I would not want to bet that they will not succeed very soon. Remember the "copy protection" that was designed to make DVDs incapable of being pirated? That was broken before the discs even reached the market.
- Yes, why don't the chip cards have PIN numbers as they do all over the rest of the world? For the same reason that the US is the last country in the world to use the "English" of measurement; even the English gave it up long ago in favor of the metric system that everyone else uses.
And American exceptionalism on chip cards (why should we care what everyone else does?) will cost us dearly in money and convenience just as it has with our arrogance about metric measures.
- A central motivation for chip cards is that they cannot be counterfeited as swipe cards can. But that just counts for this week. Already a great mob of very bright international crooks are certainly working very hard to do exactly that. And I would not want to bet that they will not succeed very soon. Remember the "copy protection" that was designed to make DVDs incapable of being pirated? That was broken before the discs even reached the market.
- Yes, why don't the chip cards have PIN numbers as they do all over the rest of the world? For the same reason that the US is the last country in the world to use the "English" of measurement; even the English gave it up long ago in favor of the metric system that everyone else uses.
And American exceptionalism on chip cards (why should we care what everyone else does?) will cost us dearly in money and convenience just as it has with our arrogance about metric measures.
21
This is both hilarious and baffling. Canada has used this technology for at least ten years and European countries even longer with no significant issues. However, the US has long resisted converting to the metric system too, so maybe the problem has nothing to do with technology at all, but simply cultural resistance to adopting systems perfected in other countries.
65
Well, America is "exceptional", dont'ya know?
7
America, rebelling since 1775.
1
Hear hear. ROW managed perfectly well. Even Luddite and the elderly people coped well.
Confused? Seriously? Americans are the masters of the credit card and wasteful consumerism.
10
I don't mind the new chip reader - everything new and different than the norm has a little bit of a learning curve. What I don't understand is I thought this was a read and go process. Here in Oregon, they still require you to sign - did I not understand? I thought the need to sign was eliminated.
Big whoops. Ask, "swipe of chip?". Gee that's hard. Look at the reader. Many vendors have taped the chip opening, or have done something similar, if they are "swipers".
Come on man --- do the unusual, Think
Come on man --- do the unusual, Think
16
75% of credit cards are chip-enabled? Interesting but inaccurate. Of the four credit cards in my wallet, only two have embedded chips while two are stripe cards -- a VISA & DISCOVER. There's no indication from the card issuers as to when they'll be replaced with a chip-enabled version.
Your sample size is too small. All five of my credit cards have been upgraded to chip.
2
I've found that abandoning credit and debit cards altogether has been enormously satisfying. No more chip, no more swipe, a little mental math for my brain... I now use cash, and I can say that my transactions occur as rapidly, if not faster, than those of fellow consumers who use credit cards. With a new report suggesting that those who use cash may be more conscious of the impact on their wallets, perhaps now is the time to switch?
27
I too have only being using cash. It's very liberating. Plus I got really tired of dealing with fraudulent charges on my cards.
I run everything I can through my credit card, hassle or no. Next summer my wife and I are flying to England Business Class for free using the points. Chip, swipe, who cares?
Cash is a lot slower than credit cards. It is certainly your right to pay with cash, but your thinking it doesn't slow down the line is false. Instead of handling one item, you have to find the right bills and possibly coins, hand them to the cashier who has to make change, hand it back. Then you have to put the various bills and coins away. A card is so much more convenient. As you say, using cash makes you more conscious of your spending, but it is certainly not faster. I cringe when I am in a line behind cash users, especially at self checkouts. It does take longer.
My bank just sent me a new credit card, because the one it replaced "may have been compromised." C'mon, merchants, it's the 21st century, get with the program and install chip readers everywhere! We also should be using them in combination with a PIN, like in Europe.
14
Jeez,
Can master Twitter but can't use a credit card with chip?
Can master Twitter but can't use a credit card with chip?
23
Drama queens. I wonder if they thought they'd get sympathy here.
3
Wow, so much stress for such a little hassle!
7
If there's so much concern about the extra time taken complete a chip enabled transaction can we please hear a shout for the elimination of payment by check at the supermarket and other stores. It's ludicrous as you stand in line to see one or more customers complete the laborious process of filling in the check, handing over their drivers license for verification and then, if you please, balancing their account. This is the 21st century in most of the world.
And as for "chip and signature", there's no question this should have been "chip and pin" instead for better security. What a load of baloney for the Banks to say this is too much trouble for customers. Maybe for a few with too many cards to remember. Most of the country is happily using debit cards with pin, thank you very much.
And as for "chip and signature", there's no question this should have been "chip and pin" instead for better security. What a load of baloney for the Banks to say this is too much trouble for customers. Maybe for a few with too many cards to remember. Most of the country is happily using debit cards with pin, thank you very much.
34
There's actually no need for it to take longer. I was in Iceland recently and their chip and pin is just as fast as a tap or a swipe (if they let you do that). I'm not sure why things are so much slower in North America but the technology can definitely operate faster.
8
Drew D: I assume you're not including Canada in your "North America" - we've had fast chip and chip-and-pin for years now.
3
I couldn't retrieve a train ticket at a machine in France because I didn't have chip and pin. I had to stand in line and wait for a human who could handle my chip and signature.
As for those check writers at the supermarket, they don't even start to look for their checkbooks at the bottom of their duffle bags until the cashier tells them how much they owe. Then, they need to look for their pen.
As for those check writers at the supermarket, they don't even start to look for their checkbooks at the bottom of their duffle bags until the cashier tells them how much they owe. Then, they need to look for their pen.
6
The change was not about security, but about shifting fraud losses from banks to merchants. If security were the goal, we'd have two-factor authentication: Chip AND PIN.
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That's what most of the rest of the world has.
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How is it that you can put a man on the moon but can't figure out how make/use a credit card with a chip? As pointed out by Philip most of the time we just have to "tap" the terminal which takes roughly a nanosecond.
4
I've yet to see anyone get aggravated over this. In the beginning it was a little confusing, as one store near me had a terminal that required a swipe for purchases but an insert if you wanted cash back, so if you swiped first and then tapped for cash back you'd have to start over. Even then the transaction took about 40 seconds. We all cracked jokes about it. In fact the only reason I clicked on this article was the headline made me wonder if something new was going on with chip cards now that I needed to be aware of. In the insanity of the year 2016 so far, I wish everything else was only as "confusing" as the chip cards.
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It's not that hard. If your card has a chip and the store chip reader is active (many are not yet) you insert the card. It it's not, you swipe. I guess Trump voters can't get the concept. For the rest of us, it's really easy.
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...except that there is literally no way for the customer to determine on her own if the reader is active or not. Do people really not understand that this is what people are (mostly) complaining about? Swipe, insert, I really don't care, but having to guess every time I go to a terminal *is* annoying.
American exceptionalism? We're behind the rest of the industrialized world in adopting new technologies, and we do nothing but complain. Grow up, Americans. (Yeah, I'm an American and no, I don't have any problems with my chipped cards.)
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Compare high-speed rail in China - or anywhere in western Europe - to Amtrak. Nuff said? Nuff said.
2
There is a revolutionary technology available for some card users that circumvents delays, confusión, and embarrassment. It is called "cash" and accepted. everywhere.
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It's also harder to track by the National inSecurity Agency and other unconstitutional servants of twin daemons Clapper and Clipper, and that is always a good thing.
Ummm, not for long....
Sorry to say, but cash is not accepted everywhere. I had a recent cash failure at FedEx. If you go to Sweden, you'll see many situations where cash is not an option. There's a growing community of authoritarian types who see cash as enabling illicit and possibly terrorist activities; they would banish cash entirely.
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The U.S. is a year or so behind the rest of the world who has already moved on to "tapping." For all purchases under X ($100, $200 etc) you simply tap your card against the card reader. no need to input anything at all. It's easy and fast.
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I have been using "chipped" cards in Europe for a number of years without a pin and the transaction is significantly faster than here. Why?
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Because US telecom companies have been taking government subisidies (our tax dollars) with the guarantee that our cabling infrastructure would be upgraded.
This was never done and so, the result is that our internet is inadequate.
Thankfully the NY Attorney General is suing Verizon over this 20 year old issue. Maybe other citizens will become furious over exorbitant fees and inadequate infrastructure.
God Bless America!
This was never done and so, the result is that our internet is inadequate.
Thankfully the NY Attorney General is suing Verizon over this 20 year old issue. Maybe other citizens will become furious over exorbitant fees and inadequate infrastructure.
God Bless America!
10
The smallness of the American mind, on display.
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It takes too long? In my experience, from the moment I insert the chip card from the moment it tells me to remove the card, it's less than 10 seconds. When did people get so impatient?
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Ever been on the roads? Drivers will bob and weave to "save" time to the next traffic light. In the course of a 25 miles drive they might save 15 seconds, maybe even as much as a minute!
THAT is why they are so impatient!
THAT is why they are so impatient!
2
Clearly, you don't shop at my Kroger store!
It's not the 10 seconds it takes for me. It's the cumulative 10 seconds for everyone in line. That adds up to slowing things down considerably within a day.
Well, much the same way we are often asked "Paper or plastic?" at the checkout counter, now we can ask them "Chip or swipe?"
8
I sympathise.
We have had it for many years in Canada now, and I that I was very confused, for at least ten seconds, the first time I used it.
We have had it for many years in Canada now, and I that I was very confused, for at least ten seconds, the first time I used it.
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The issue isn't really with using the chip card--inserting the card is simple.
The confusion is from the inconsistent rollout--not every place has chip readers. Of those that do, many stores have nonfunctioning chip readers, or don't want/allow their customers to use them (it's explained in this article). So often, you insert your card and wait for it to read, only for the cashier to realize what you're doing and tell you to swipe. The Dunkin Donuts I frequent has put pieces of paper into the chip reader that state "Please swipe!" to cut down on the confusion.
It's not a huge problem, but it does make me feel a little stupid every time I do the wrong thing.
The confusion is from the inconsistent rollout--not every place has chip readers. Of those that do, many stores have nonfunctioning chip readers, or don't want/allow their customers to use them (it's explained in this article). So often, you insert your card and wait for it to read, only for the cashier to realize what you're doing and tell you to swipe. The Dunkin Donuts I frequent has put pieces of paper into the chip reader that state "Please swipe!" to cut down on the confusion.
It's not a huge problem, but it does make me feel a little stupid every time I do the wrong thing.
8
Feeling stupid is a good thing. It's humanizing.
I don't see this as a big deal - if you go to the same stores much of the time, then just do what you did last time until they tell you to do otherwise, and otherwise, try one way and if it doesn't work the clerk will tell you otherwise, or ask "swipe or chip?" Not hard. Why should the customer feel like a dummy? It's the inconsistency in the stores. There are things to get worked up about - this just isn't one of them.
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