Eftpos

I’ve always been a fan of EFT-POS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale) since I got my first card in 1992. But just lately I’ve been frustrated with inconsistency of the whole customer experience. You’d think by now that the banks, supermarkets and retail outlets would have it sorted. But I still struggle with the simplest of tasks: how I’m supposed to present my card. Do I hand it to you? Or do I swipe it myself? Those machines drive me nuts. The laws of logic dictate that I should insert the card the right way 50% of the time. Unfortunately the more pervasive Murphy’s Law kicks in to ensure my chances of success are much lower. Then, just when I think I’ve got it all sorted and go to swipe myself I’m foiled by a card reader hidden on the front of the register.

And what about getting cash out? Sometimes you’ll sign for it and they keep the receipt. Other times you keep the receipt. And just to mix it up you’ll occasionally reach for a pen only be told that you don’t need to sign at all. It’s a Seinfeld episode waiting to happen. You leave the counter feeling mildly embarassed. The teller thinks you might be mildly retarded. Read more »