My latest complaint .... gas pumps

[Cormanus]

And yet ... if you’re an alien in the USA and don’t have a post code linked to your credit card, it’s very hard to buy petrol at the pump. You have to head inside, swipe, pay an amount, greater than you’ll use, head out, fill the tank and then go back and get a credit for the amount you didn’t use.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Eh - an us visiting the U.S. of A from Down Under or the Great White have postal codes (vs. zip codes). None of the pumps I have visited understand that. So the station clerk just says, "... uh, Canada? Yeah, sorry, no problem, just a sec, ... ok ... the pump good - go pump. Sorry again for that."

The experience is a bit klunky. I understand the crime preventative nature, but in Canada we simply enter a PIN code at the pump (or wave the card in other cases).

Its windy night at 30C below and I want to top up my car for the week.
I remove my glove and insert my points card that saves me 10 cents a liter, and wait and wait.
Remove the card quickly it flashes and I do so, and put it in my wallet.
Draw out my credit card and try to tap it.
Long pause and the pump flashes to insert it. I do so and wait.
Long pause and it flashes do I want a car wash.
At 30C below. I don't think so. Push the button an wait.
It flashes enter your pin, which I do.
Long pause until it flashes for me to remove my card.
Which I do, and it immediately starts loudly beeping at me to lift the handle and select grade of gas I need. Could I put my card and wallet away first you noisy slow thinking tin moron?
Pump my gas and put the handle back.
The screen reads you have selected a printed receipt.
Yup I want it, and I wait and wait.
It finely rolls out a foot of paper flapping in the cold wind which I tear off with my frozen hand.

What? The pump didn't run out of paper? You actually got paper!
-30C already in the Oh? Come on ... yer not that far north, and it's only November. ;D

[LongRanger_imp]

Yep. The difference is that U.S. credit card issuers turned down the opportunity to support Chip & Pin technology, unlike Canada, the EU, and Asia. Instead, our cards use Chip & Signature. The reason? They didn't think the U.S. consumer would be able to remember a 4-digit PIN. That aside, gas pumps in the U.S. are not yet required to read and accept Chip cards, so they're still relying on the magnetic strip for authentication, which is fraught with security issues. For Cormanus and other visitors, you're probably better off using a debit card at the pump.

[peterbaron]

Yep. The difference is that U.S. credit card issuers turned down the opportunity to support Chip & Pin technology, unlike Canada, the EU, and Asia. Instead, our cards use Chip & Signature. The reason? They didn't think the U.S. consumer would be able to remember a 4-digit PIN. That aside, gas pumps in the U.S. are not yet required to read and accept Chip cards, so they're still relying on the magnetic strip for authentication, which is fraught with security issues. For Cormanus and other visitors, you're probably better off using a debit card at the pump.

, well said

[Cormanus]

Yep. The difference is that U.S. credit card issuers turned down the opportunity to support Chip & Pin technology, unlike Canada, the EU, and Asia. Instead, our cards use Chip & Signature. The reason? They didn't think the U.S. consumer would be able to remember a 4-digit PIN. That aside, gas pumps in the U.S. are not yet required to read and accept Chip cards, so they're still relying on the magnetic strip for authentication, which is fraught with security issues. For Cormanus and other visitors, you're probably better off using a debit card at the pump.

Interesting. We now allow transactions up to A$100 without using a PIN. You simply tap your card and that's it. No swipe; no insert.

I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure I used a debit card in the US and it worked in the way I described. It may be the nature of the card.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Ay mate, same in Canada regarding 100 bucks. I guess $100 isn't worth much today. Heck, $100 in Can-ada can't fill an F-150 tank. Thank goodness for motorcycles. Thank goodness for the CB.

[Cormanus]

Hear, hear!

[Nortoon_imp]

Eh - an us visiting the U.S. of A from Down Under or the Great White have postal codes (vs. zip codes). None of the pumps I have visited understand that. So the station clerk just says, "... uh, Canada? Yeah, sorry, no problem, just a sec, ... ok ... the pump good - go pump. Sorry again for that."

The experience is a bit klunky. I understand the crime preventative nature, but in Canada we simply enter a PIN code at the pump (or wave the card in other cases).

Its windy night at 30C below and I want to top up my car for the week.
I remove my glove and insert my points card that saves me 10 cents a liter, and wait and wait.
Remove the card quickly it flashes and I do so, and put it in my wallet.
Draw out my credit card and try to tap it.
Long pause and the pump flashes to insert it. I do so and wait.
Long pause and it flashes do I want a car wash.
At 30C below. I don't think so. Push the button an wait.
It flashes enter your pin, which I do.
Long pause until it flashes for me to remove my card.
Which I do, and it immediately starts loudly beeping at me to lift the handle and select grade of gas I need. Could I put my card and wallet away first you noisy slow thinking tin moron?
Pump my gas and put the handle back.
The screen reads you have selected a printed receipt.
Yup I want it, and I wait and wait.
It finely rolls out a foot of paper flapping in the cold wind which I tear off with my frozen hand.

What? The pump didn't run out of paper? You actually got paper!
-30C already in the Oh? Come on ... yer not that far north, and it's only November. ;D

I was referring to the dark and frigid winter nights of December to February. Today it is a balmy 2C (36F).

There is one local gas station near my home that I use to top up my motorcycle after a ride. It will except my points card to save 10 cents a liter if I am filling my car, but does not always for my motorcycle? I have to go in and talk to the cashier which is difficult because I am wearing ear plugs and a helmet.

I find the America gas stations close to the border now except Canadian credit cards. Probably because of all the cross border shopping.

[DHB_imp]

Number 1: Don't ever eat gas station hot dogs!

Number 2: There's a mute button for the pump TV. It's usually the second button down on the right side. You can always ask the attendant which button is the mute if you're unfamiliar with their model of TV.

[LongRanger_imp]

I've never seen anyone buy a gas station hot dog! Same with 7/11 hot dogs. Those rollers take up a lot of counter space but I've never seen anyone buy one (but somebody must be). Urp.