This is an odd one

Money-Saving-King

kingfisherblue wrote: »

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 work in a shop and have this situation. I've had to tell people the chip & pin had gone down then get shouted at for why there weren't signs. My reply was it started 30 seconds ago! The smart Alec's grin wasn't as it first was when I told him this.

In other words, things go wrong all of a sudden, that's why you might not be told beforehand!

angelil

I'm another one who thinks you totally overreacted and should have left your details, OP. I used to work in retail and hospitality and assure you that a) all details are visible, all the time, to retailers even when card systems work perfectly (in hotels too - the full card details are available on the screens at reception and receptionists have a lot more time on their hands to copy them down and use them than bar staff do!) and that b) you insult the staff working there by even assuming that they would want to do anything untoward with your details. Do you really think they want to lose their jobs in this economic climate?

hollydays

I think if they were genuine, it was very badly handled,If they hinted at police etc BEFORE you told they you were unhappy to leave your details, that would concern me. Do they have decent online reviews?

ThumbRemote

angelil wrote: »

I'm another one who thinks you totally overreacted and should have left your details, OP.

Why should they have left their details? They paid in cash.

angelil wrote: »

you insult the staff working there by even assuming that they would want to do anything untoward with your details. Do you really think they want to lose their jobs in this economic climate?

Please PM me with your card details, address and CVV code. I'm perfectly honest. It would be an insult to even assume that I would want to do anything untowards with your details.

It's not an insult to someone to take security precautions with your cards, and you can hardly complain at someone for not being sure what is and isn't safe and secure in an unusual situation.

Battleaxe44

No way would I leave my card details. i would leave my name and adress and contact number but that is all. I would offer to go to the nearest ATM, but suggest that it would be advisable to tell people of the problem before seating them.

I am sure the police would not have been impressed by being vcalled for the customer not paying his bill, when he had NOT been told prior to being seated or before he ordered his meal.

I am with the OP.

Enfieldian

Had the Police been contacted in this instance I doubt whether they would have even attended based on what the OP has said.

They would most likely have advised the retailer that this was a civil matter.

fluffnutter

I wouldn't have left my card number. Restaurants are one of the most common places for card fraud. Basic security innit.

halibut2209

I'd have left contact details and offered to return when the machine was working. Or gone to the the cashpoint. Wouldn't have made a fuss, but wouldn't leave details unsecure

But good job on getting a discount!

ThumbRemote

Money-Saving-King wrote: »

I think you'll find once they paid in cash they wern't actually then asked to leave credit card details!!!! (just a small one you missed there)

Which was exactly my point to angelil, who said the OP should have left their details.

Money-Saving-King wrote: »

Why has he/she consumed several tends of pounds worth of your goods?

Nope!!!! Hardly the same situation then is it!

But angelil seems to think that everyone is trustworthy. Hence they'd have no problem with it.

Money-Saving-King wrote: »

Chairperson for Moaners 'R' Us strikes again!

So you had no point to make, just having a go again. Glad I've given you the opportunity to feel so much better about yourself.

aileth

I'd have probably offered to leave the rest of my purse except the card I was drawing cash on for 'security' and nipped to the ATM, so they'd have my driver's licence with address on etc.