Is it wrong for a food place to not tell you the credit card machine isn’t working before you order?
Jun 17, 2010
in
Credit Card Machines
I’m not talking about sit down restaurants, I’m talking about like Subway, Burger King, or other fast food places or walk in places.
Like you order your food, and then you try to pay with your credit card because you’re short on cash but they say sorry our machine isn’t working. Would it be rude to not pay and just leave after they made your food?
This has happened to me twice, luckily I had just enough to pay with cash. But happens if you don’t have the cash?
I should have said debit card. I have one of those prepaid "credit cards" so I say credit instead of debit because I don’t have a pin #.
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19 comments
DenizenofEvil on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
people! stop giving the asker crap! People buy small things with credit cards to build credit. It is actually encouraged as long as they can pay for it. Back on topic… yes, it is wrong. They should have posted a sign or something. How were you supposed to know the machine wasn’t working? It’s the store’s responsibility to serve the customers and not the other way around.
THE SINGER on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
They most assuredly have the obligation to POST this and VERBALLY tell their customers. What would they do if someone DID NOT have the money to pay. They would be in the loss - so they must share this information with their customers or loose business. I would walk in a New York minute. It’s rude of them not to tell you and shows they have very little concern for their customers.
irishcrm317 on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
If you don’t have cash, you should make lunch at home!
Bill Q on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
If you don’t have the cash, just turn around and walk off. No apology is needed.
J-Dawn on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
They can’t do that. They should post signs and then say verbally that the machines aren’t working before. You’re fine to say, "Cancel my order then," and walk off.
luzerlarry1 on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
If you need to pay for a subway sandwich with a credit card, you need to start saving money and eating at home or brown-bagging it if at work. This is the main reason people are in financial tormoil……….using credit cards for things they dont need to use it for.
Charlotte K on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I hear you. I never carry cash with me (tons of personal reasons why) and I use a debit card. It is an annoyance after you have placed your order. I would ask them why they didn’t post a sign on the door when you walked in, then ask to speak to a manager about the multiple situations of the credit card reader being down. Then I would leave and not go back to that subway unless I had cash on hand to cover the costs.
Tracy M on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
They should tell you in advance the machine isn’t working. If they don’t and you dont’ have enough cash once you get your food then it is fine to walk out….they should have a sign at least telling customers the machine is not working.
Tonya W on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Yes it is wrong. They should put a sign up that is visible to anyone coming in the restaurant. Like on the front door and inside where you order your food. If you don’t have cash then you won’t be eating from that particular restaurant. Or you may have to go to a ATM to get some cash.
Jm e on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
They have a legal obligation to post that their machine is down and they can accept cash only. These days, most people don’t carry cash! So no, it would not be rude to leave. If you don’t have the cash, it is up to them to either give it away or throw it out. We all use debit or credit for purchasing. One of the Subways in my city doesn’t accept cash anymore! I personally don’t carry cash and I know quite a few other people that don’t either.
bubbles on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
No matter what kind of card you use, they should post a sign saying the machine is down. With so many people ysing cards these days, you’d think they would post it.
AJAY B on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Yes it is very wrong to withhold valuable information. Especially considering the fact that a lot of people don’t bother with carrying cash unless they want to show off….which would lead to a stick-up if they’re not careful (especially in my hood) But the next time they drop a bomb like that, you have every right to walk the hell out. Hopefully the person next in line likes the same food you do.
Angie on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
That happened to me in the Taco Bell drive thru one time, I did not have any cash on me at all when I got to the window to pay so I was just going to leave. Well the person just gave me the food instead of throwing it away so that was cool, but yeah it’s definitely their loss if they don’t tell people ahead of time, most people rely on debit cards these days.
Jonny B on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
They should post a sign somewhere at the counter for you to see, so i wouldn’t say you would be rude for ordering and leaving. Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so a business should inform people when they are unable to take a debit/credit card.
OnceUponaTime on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
You do not need to pay, just leave, that happened to me too but I had enough to cover the cost.
lingua06437 on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
This has happened to me about a half dozen times over the past 2 years. Usually the place will put a sign on the counter. But if they don’t - and you are talking about fast food - remember you are not dealing with the highest paid people in the world.
About a third of the time I have the cash on hand. If I am a little short they let me slide.
A third of the time I have walked away with out getting anything.
And a third of the time I have actually been given the food free!
So all in all, this has actually worked to my benefit.
And I am like you. I use me debit card for practicly everything. Gosh, you would think that more people would have checking accounts!
Sophiesmama on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
In today’s day and age, almost every place does most of their business by debit/or credit cards, so it would be in their best interest to tell you up front so your order doesn’t have to be tossed if you don’t have the cash
amandamaria1432 on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
If it made me angry and/or didn’t have cash, yep, I’d leave.
Cards are so common these days, that it’s just assumed someone’s as likely or more likely to use them than cash, so for them not to tell you is a pretty key part of the whole buying scene…I might’ve just left.
bainaashanti on June 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
If you don’t have the cash, then you can’t pay. Ideally, yeah, they should tell you, as a courtesy, since they make such a big deal about the fact that they’re supposed to have that option available to you. Most places I come across put up signs when their card machines go down. If you don’t have the cash on you, then you have no choise but to go somewhere else. If I notice that a location has a chronic problem with their machines, I usually make a point of not going there anymore and tell the management or corporate office why.