| Sliding cards before total is known [message #377817] |
Do, 06 April 2006 11:10 |
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At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and credit
cards yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the items. Then
you just hit the OK button on the terminal when presented with the
total. This saves time over having to present two cards in order after
the cashier is done.
Is there a reason this isn't done here? Or is it, somewhere?
--
Michael Hoffman
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377846 ] |
Do, 06 April 2006 19:13 |
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At 10:10:03 on 06/04/2006, Michael Hoffman delighted uk.finance by announcing:
> At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and credit cards
> yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the items. Then you just hit
> the OK button on the terminal when presented with the total. This saves time
> over having to present two cards in order after the cashier is done.
>
> Is there a reason this isn't done here?
Yes. They check(ed) the signature in the UK. Signature capture (and hence the
customer-facing machines) hasn't really been used either.
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377849 ] |
Do, 06 April 2006 20:11 |
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Michael Hoffman wrote:
> At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and credit
> cards yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the items. Then
> you just hit the OK button on the terminal when presented with the
> total. This saves time over having to present two cards in order after
> the cashier is done.
>
> Is there a reason this isn't done here? Or is it, somewhere?
No but it's fortunate that it isn't or consumer spending might reach the
same levels
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377858 ] |
Do, 06 April 2006 23:40 |
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Alex wrote:
> At 10:10:03 on 06/04/2006, Michael Hoffman delighted uk.finance by announcing:
>
>>At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and credit cards
>>yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the items. Then you just hit
>>the OK button on the terminal when presented with the total. This saves time
>>over having to present two cards in order after the cashier is done.
>>
>>Is there a reason this isn't done here?
>
> Yes. They check(ed) the signature in the UK. Signature capture (and hence the
> customer-facing machines) hasn't really been used either.
These machines would also be used with PIN debit cards. Now that Chip
and PIN is in use, why not let people start the process before the items
are scanned and save time?
--
Michael Hoffman
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377859 ] |
Do, 06 April 2006 23:41 |
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B J Foster wrote:
> Michael Hoffman wrote:
>
>> At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and
>> credit cards yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the
>> items. Then you just hit the OK button on the terminal when presented
>> with the total. This saves time over having to present two cards in
>> order after the cashier is done.
>>
>> Is there a reason this isn't done here? Or is it, somewhere?
>
>
> No but it's fortunate that it isn't or consumer spending might reach the
> same levels
You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something to
do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two countries?
--
Michael Hoffman
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377860 ] |
Do, 06 April 2006 23:56 |
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"Michael Hoffman" <cam.ac.uk [at] mh391.invalid> wrote in message
news:e141sr$6k0$1 [at] gemini.csx.cam.ac.uk...
> Alex wrote:
>> At 10:10:03 on 06/04/2006, Michael Hoffman delighted uk.finance by
>> announcing:
>>
>>>At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and credit
>>>cards
>>>yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the items. Then you just
>>>hit
>>>the OK button on the terminal when presented with the total. This saves
>>>time
>>>over having to present two cards in order after the cashier is done.
>>>
>>>Is there a reason this isn't done here?
>>
>> Yes. They check(ed) the signature in the UK. Signature capture (and
>> hence the
>> customer-facing machines) hasn't really been used either.
>
> These machines would also be used with PIN debit cards. Now that Chip and
> PIN is in use, why not let people start the process before the items are
> scanned and save time?
IME 50% of the population, which is about 80% of people at checkouts (aka
'women') seem completely surprised that any type of payment is required at
the checkout, or at least, I presume thats why they take SO DAMN LONG to
take their card or cash out. So unfortunately I dont think your proposal
will work.
--
Tumbleweed
email replies not necessary but to contact use;
tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377861 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 00:36 |
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Michael Hoffman wrote:
> B J Foster wrote:
>
>> Michael Hoffman wrote:
>>
>>> At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and
>>> credit cards yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the
>>> items. Then you just hit the OK button on the terminal when presented
>>> with the total. This saves time over having to present two cards in
>>> order after the cashier is done.
>>>
>>> Is there a reason this isn't done here? Or is it, somewhere?
>>
>>
>>
>> No but it's fortunate that it isn't or consumer spending might reach
>> the same levels
>
>
> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something to
> do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>
> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
> countries?
Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377864 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 07:12 |
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>IME 50% of the population, which is about 80% of people at checkouts (aka
>'women') seem completely surprised that any type of payment is required at
>the checkout, or at least, I presume thats why they take SO DAMN LONG to
>take their card or cash out. So unfortunately I dont think your proposal
>will work.
Good point Tumbleweed, you are so right. Why do most women stand by
the tills totally unprepared to pay despite standing in the queue for
like 20 minutes. Once everything is scanned and the total appears they
then start fumbling for the cards leaving the cashier to twiddle her
thumbs. A mystery!
SM
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377865 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 07:55 |
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B J Foster wrote:
>> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something to
>> do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>>
>> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
>> countries?
>
> Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
Interesting thought.
I do oil the wheels on my bike - but if I travel at 10Km/h they still
turn at the same rate before and after oiling. Why is that?
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377867 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 10:00 |
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"Colin Forrester" <colin [at] thefrogslepthere.com> wrote in message
news:49md6eFpg260U1 [at] individual.net...
>B J Foster wrote:
>
>>> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something to
>>> do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>>>
>>> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
>>> countries?
>>
>> Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
>
> Interesting thought.
>
> I do oil the wheels on my bike - but if I travel at 10Km/h they still turn
> at the same rate before and after oiling. Why is that?
because you are looking at a contstant speed of 10k/h in both circumstances.
OTOH, if you were travelling at 10k/h and someone oiled the bearings (not
the wheels!) then you would travel faster without any extra effort.
--
Tumbleweed
email replies not necessary but to contact use;
tumbleweednews at hotmail dot com
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377873 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 12:58 |
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Tumbleweed wrote:
> "Colin Forrester" <colin [at] thefrogslepthere.com> wrote in message
> news:49md6eFpg260U1 [at] individual.net...
>> B J Foster wrote:
>>
>>>> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something to
>>>> do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>>>>
>>>> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
>>>> countries?
>>> Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
>> Interesting thought.
>>
>> I do oil the wheels on my bike - but if I travel at 10Km/h they still turn
>> at the same rate before and after oiling. Why is that?
>
> because you are looking at a contstant speed of 10k/h in both circumstances.
> OTOH, if you were travelling at 10k/h and someone oiled the bearings (not
> the wheels!) then you would travel faster without any extra effort.
But if I was influenced by a third-party factor (such as the speed
limit) and I had no choice but to obey it then no amount of oil will
make me travel faster. Perhaps oil behaves like interest rates.
I suspect that interest rates and available credit have more to do with
spending than the kind of credit card terminals in use.
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377878 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 14:19 |
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B J Foster <bjfoster [at] yahoo.com> wrote
>Michael Hoffman wrote:
>> B J Foster wrote:
>>> Michael Hoffman wrote:
>>>
>>>> At some supermarkets in the U.S. you can swipe loyalty cards and
>>>>credit cards yourself before the cashier is done scanning all the
>>>>items. Then you just hit the OK button on the terminal when
>>>>presented with the total. This saves time over having to present
>>>>two cards in order after the cashier is done.
>>>>
>>>> Is there a reason this isn't done here? Or is it, somewhere?
>>>
>>> No but it's fortunate that it isn't or consumer spending might reach
>>>the same levels
>> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something
>>to do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
>>countries?
>
>Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
And there would be the nasty knock-on effect of reduced queues at
checkouts. ;-)
Would it involve new hardware or is it an opportunity to introduce some
new software bugs?
--
Gordon Harris
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377880 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 14:24 |
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Colin Forrester <colin [at] thefrogslepthere.com> wrote
>B J Foster wrote:
>
>>> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something
>>>to do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>>>
>>> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
>>>countries?
>> Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
>
>Interesting thought.
>
>I do oil the wheels on my bike - but if I travel at 10Km/h they still
>turn at the same rate before and after oiling. Why is that?
You are horribly unfit, 12mph is a normal easy speed for a cyclist, at
10kph you will be wobbling, which is generating side forces which
detract from the effect of oiling the hubs.
Actually, oil or grease on ball bearings is not for lubrication, but
only to prevent rust. When I were a teenager the track racing
cyclists did not run with any oil on chains or wheel hubs, because they
believed it caused drag compared with running dry. :-)
--
Gordon Harris
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377882 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 14:57 |
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"SandalsMan" <jbenator [at] gmail.com> writes:
> Good point Tumbleweed, you are so right. Why do most women stand by
> the tills totally unprepared to pay despite standing in the queue for
> like 20 minutes. Once everything is scanned and the total appears they
> then start fumbling for the cards leaving the cashier to twiddle her
> thumbs. A mystery!
Many are even tardier. They watch the cashier like a hawk as the
goods are being scanned, just in case any of the prices do not agree
with what was written on the shelf. Then after everything is scanned
they pack the goods into their bags. Only after they have done this do
they start searching in their handbag to get their purse, and finally
take an age counting out the exact amount to tender to the cashier.
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377883 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 16:01 |
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Colin Forrester wrote:
> B J Foster wrote:
>
>>> You honestly think that consumer spending in the U.S. has something
>>> to do with the kinds of credit card terminals being used?
>>>
>>> How exactly does the level of consumer spending differ in the two
>>> countries?
>>
>>
>> Dunno but I know that if you oil wheels then they turn faster
>
>
> Interesting thought.
>
> I do oil the wheels on my bike - but if I travel at 10Km/h they still
> turn at the same rate before and after oiling. Why is that?
If your bike was analogous to US consumer spending then it's top speed
would be around 11 km/h
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377907 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 20:09 |
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In message <49muu0Fph3trU1 [at] individual.net>, Colin Forrester
<colin [at] thefrogslepthere.com> writes
>But if I was influenced by a third-party factor (such as the speed
>limit) and I had no choice but to obey it then no amount of oil will
>make me travel faster.
But you would use less energy to get where you were going.
> Perhaps oil behaves like interest rates.
Yes, interest rates control the velocity of money.
>
>I suspect that interest rates and available credit have more to do with
>spending than the kind of credit card terminals in use.
Too right!
--
John Boyle
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377916 ] |
Fr, 07 April 2006 21:50 |
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Bitstring <1144386728.297325.57420 [at] v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com>, from
the wonderful person SandalsMan <jbenator [at] gmail.com> said
>>IME 50% of the population, which is about 80% of people at checkouts (aka
>>'women') seem completely surprised that any type of payment is required at
>>the checkout, or at least, I presume thats why they take SO DAMN LONG to
>>take their card or cash out. So unfortunately I dont think your proposal
>>will work.
>
>Good point Tumbleweed, you are so right. Why do most women stand by
>the tills totally unprepared to pay despite standing in the queue for
>like 20 minutes. Once everything is scanned and the total appears they
>then start fumbling for the cards leaving the cashier to twiddle her
>thumbs. A mystery!
Not just women (although they are the majority of customers in most
supermarkets). And not just credit cards - they are first confused when
asked for the store loyalty card. The bemused to discover they need the
car park refund voucher ('here somewhere', as they empty out 50l of
handbag). Only then do they repeat the whole procedure, with a credit
card as the target.
Cashiers are not allowed to raise eyebrows about this apparently!
--
GSV Three Minds in a Can
Failed to parity check ...
Global warning, you were to give them some global warning, you dumb drone!
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| Re: Sliding cards before total is known [message #377929 ] |
Sa, 08 April 2006 09:34 |
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Colin Forrester wrote:
> I suspect that interest rates and available credit have more to do with
> spending than the kind of credit card terminals in use.
No kidding?
--
Michael Hoffman
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