This is an odd one

hoxtonbabe

Earlier today I was in a restaurant, we were greeted, sat down ordered, had our tasty meal, and asked for the bill.

The waiter then informed us that the till was knackered and could not take cards, only cash, failing that we could leave our card details on a piece of paper and they would manually put it through later?!?

Naturally the latter was not an option, the cash till was a not a million miles away but not next door either, and was already tired and bloated (the walk probably would have done me some good though)

I was not overly impressed by this and I was even less impressed when the waiter tried to hint at me that another customer didn't want to leave details, didn't have cash and the police had to be called, etc.. (intimidation tactics)

I spoke with the manager, whom then went off and gave me a good discount which luckily I then had enough in my purse to cover it.

This has never happened to me before, and the only time a similar thing happened, people were aware BEFORE sitting down. I asked when it haapend and they reckon it was about 10mins before I asked for the bill, but I recall a couple behind me filling in some detail, but as they were from the USA, just assumed it was something to do with their card, I now realise it was because of their machine issue...now this was a good 30 mins before I asked for my bill.

It all worked out ok for me, but what would/should one do in a situation like this, where you don't have cash, their machines have done down and understandably you dont want to leave your details on a random peice of paper. I think they were rather wrong for calling the police as its not as if the man was intentionally trying to make off without paying, and like me he was not aware at ANY point of the meal that the machine was out, until he asked for the bill..had he known maybe he would have ordered less and had enough in cash??

tinkerbell28

In a restaurant if you can't or choose not to pay as there is a dispute. You do have to leave your details so you can be contacted for payment, otherwise yes, they can call the police.

Why was the latter not an option? When they take your card normally, they have all the card details on their coy anyway.

I don't see why you wouldn't? Fuss over nothing IMO, card machines go down.

hoxtonbabe

Leaving contact details is fine, but they wanted the card details to leave, and its not as if they had some kind of safe system to leave the details on, it was just a bit of paper.

tinkerbell28

What do you think they do with the printouts? Put them in the till. I can't think why you wouldn't think they'd do the same with your bit of paper.

You could've just asked of they will be securely destroying the paper afterwards. I honestly think it's a total over reaction.

flashg67

tinkerbell28 wrote: »

What do you think they do with the printouts? Put them in the till. I can't think why you wouldn't think they'd do the same with your bit of paper.

You could've just asked of they will be securely destroying the paper afterwards. I honestly think it's a total over reaction.

Depends what details they wanted? AFAIK, the chip and pin devices don't divulge the full card details to the retailer - it's authorised remotely I believe? Customer copies only have part of the card number and not the expiry date etc. I'm with the OP, I would have been wary leaving my card details but would probably have been a little more understanding and walked to the ATM.

iammumtoone

I would not be happy leaving my card details. These days the full card numbers do not appear on the receipts just the last four numbers. However the main reason would be that I would have no way to check what figure they were taking from my bank account, when they do the transaction in front of me I can check it is for the correct amount before entering my pin.

Were you given the chance to leave something of value behind and be able to go to the nearest cashpoint to get enough cash to pay - that would seem like a fair compromise.

hoxtonbabe

I think you are over reacting and being quite rude. I am asking a question for future reference and you are jumping all over me, being pationising and going on about over reaction, you are the one reacting as if I have said someting rude or offensive personally to you!

AS i said, for me, it worked out ok, and was curious as to how one should go about a similar situation in the future and they are not willing to reduce the bill

...Geezzz....there is always one!

hoxtonbabe

Again, I have to stress..IT WORKED OUT OK FOR ME.

I did not get into it with the manager, I said I didn't want to leave details, she tried to convince me to leave the details (as equally she did not want to let me leave the restaurant either, unless she was willing to babysit my kid also) so she reduced the bill...It was the otehr customer that had the police called,e tc..

tinkerbell28

hoxtonbabe wrote: »

I think you are over reacting and being quite rude. I am asking a question for future reference and you are jumping all over me, being pationising and going on about over reaction, you are the one reacting as if I have said someting rude or offensive personally to you!

AS i said, for me, it worked out ok, and was curious as to how one should go about a similar situation in the future

...Geezzz....there is always one!

Because its not of the same opinion as yours?

The store copy of a receipt has all the details on it. So it's a non issue in my eyes.

hoxtonbabe

No, you are entitled to you opinion, its the way you are getting it across, there is no need to be so rude about it.

kingfisherblue

I wouldn't have been happy leaving my card details either. I would also have been unimpressed with the intimidation tactics - I can't stand bullies!

IMO, the restaurant should have told the diners - before they ordered - that the card machine wasn't working and that it would have to be cash only. I have been in shops where this has been the case.

OP, if this was a part of a chain, I suggest that you contact their head office and ask what their policy is when card machimes are not working. I would also complain about the intimidation tactics and the lack of security regarding card details. If it is an independent, I would write to the managing director with the same query/complaint.

As for what to do in the future, I have no idea what the correct answer is. I always carry emergency cash, but it's only £20 (which I deem to be enough if I run low on petrol, or need a taxi - I hadn't thought of using it for an emergency like this, as I would expect the restaurant to inform me before ordering)