The good news is that upgrading all these terminals to chip will make chip-and-pin a simple matter of a software update. I don't know if it was a matter of pro

The good news is that upgrading all these terminals to chip will make chip-and-pin a simple matter of a software update. I don't know if it was a matter of profit so much as fear of customer alienation. First they get customers used to using the chips. Then they can make them use pins later. The biggest hurdle will be past once all the chip terminals actually work. It's crazy how many vendors were forced to install these things before the processors were even able to process chip transactions. Most small vendors in this area of the country still are not able to accept chip cards despite having the newer hardware. Thus they are now liable for fraudulent transactions on swiped cards because their processors cannot get their sh*t together. But once that debacle is resolved, chip and pin should follow as a matter of course. Frankly, I too wish they had just ripped the bandaid off. After having spent a couple weeks in europe, it is idiotic how many restaurants in non-tourist towns have to scramble to find the one terminal that can print a signature slip for their American guests.