Wireless card payments.

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
My debit card has just gone Bang! - literally.

In Lidl, just now, as I took it out of my pocket, it snapped over half-way through from the (long) bottom edge - loudly enough to attract some attention.

It then failed to 'connect' wirelessly, which was difficult, as I already had the goods in my bag at that point - I was somewhat concerned, as it was the only method of payment that I had with me, apart from the emergency fiver on the sun visor in the car and that would not have been sufficient. Luckily, the direct physical connection + PIN still worked.

Examination of the fracture shows the exposed ends of a fine copper wire between the embossed account details and the bottom edge of the card, presumably this is part of the aerial arrangement.

The card has had a fairly sedate life and is just over a year old.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
It looks like mine is this type and I've managed to break the single wire along the bottom.

FK67PZDHZ3YAA3U.MEDIUM.jpg
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Is that the West Ham ground?
Kate Upton Park or the new one?

Anyway, I notice that the fracture follows the heavier embossed characters above the lower edge. Is it really necessary to still be embossing the details? I haven't had a card used in a 'click-click' printer this century. I know that it is, theoretically, a back-up system, but do people still have the machines and the slips to hand?
 

citricsquid

Well-Known Forumite
Anyway, I notice that the fracture follows the heavier embossed characters above the lower edge. Is it really necessary to still be embossing the details? I haven't had a card used in a 'click-click' printer this century. I know that it is, theoretically, a back-up system, but do people still have the machines and the slips to hand?

Showing my (lack of) age here, until last week I had never heard of the click-click printer method of taking payment, I was reading some documentation on point of sale systems and learned of their existence. Assuming you mean a credit card imprinter. Apparently embossed numbers are here to stay for interoperability.
 

Glam

Mad Cat Woman
Showing my (lack of) age here, until last week I had never heard of the click-click printer method of taking payment, I was reading some documentation on point of sale systems and learned of their existence. Assuming you mean a credit card imprinter. Apparently embossed numbers are here to stay for interoperability.
I am seriously not being rude here, but can I ask how old you are? My youngest is 25, and I'm fairly certain I never used the click-click method of payment when he were a babby.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
New card on the way.

I see that a lot of Gaolgate Street is currently(!) without electricity - I wonder if anybody is imprinting from embossed cards, as a result?
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
When I was in Scilly earlier in the year, an American cruise ship was in. I was in a shop when some of the ladies from the ship were trying to purchase items with their card. It didn't have a chip, and all the staff were confused for at least 10 minutes, whilst they worked out what they needed to do. It's amazing to think that most have forgotten about swipe and sign already.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
When I was in Scilly earlier in the year, an American cruise ship was in. I was in a shop when some of the ladies from the ship were trying to purchase items with their card. It didn't have a chip, and all the staff were confused for at least 10 minutes, whilst they worked out what they needed to do. It's amazing to think that most have forgotten about swipe and sign already.
The last time that I saw a card printing machine used was in similar circumstances - two Americans in the shop at the Castle, about five/six years ago - luckily, there was somebody old enough to know what to do - eventually. It did take about fifteen minutes - it would have been quicker to forge some pound coins....

The card had no chip and the swipe of the magnetic strip didn't work either, the only way was to resort to printing the slip via the embossed letters. This, at least, shows that the card was present, rather than merely relying on writing down the number. Luckily, it was still embossed, as it seems that some US cards are not now.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I am seriously not being rude here, but can I ask how old you are? My youngest is 25, and I'm fairly certain I never used the click-click method of payment when he were a babby.
Oooh dear, now I really do feel ancient. I remember using them when I eventually gave in and got a visa card 'just for emergencies'...

(Can also remember the days when it was either cash , or the dreaded cheque causing a big queue at the tills ;) )
 
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wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
IIRC I'm sure that Wilko's still have them for backup reasons.I've seen one used there in the last 12 months or so because I remember commenting to the cashier that I had seen one in around 20 years.
 
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