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I do some bartending and I'm really curious whats going to happen with digital wallets, on the ID and payment end. I think they're amazing and would love to not

by swozey 2y ago

I do some bartending and I'm really curious whats going to happen with digital wallets, on the ID and payment end. I think they're amazing and would love to not worry about losing plastic but we aren't there yet. Lots of POS systems need to be upgraded and that is not something bars are looking to spend money on. I have 21yos come in all the time nowadays without a wallet/license/debit cards expecting to use digitalID and ApplePay for literally everything in their lives. We reluctantly take Apple Pay now, the reluctance is it's not like opening a normal tab. The card number is rolling so you have to give give me a card first to even open a tab or else I have to trust you're "Jon at Seat 3 Who Will Pay Me Later", because I can't ring you out without grabbing your phone and shoving it at my POS right when you're paying out. Also I have to have you unlock your phone and bring it over to my POS and hope it doesn't lock by the time I scan it. And if its busy and you want to Apple Pay you're a nightmare. I flew to Vegas last year with only a digital ID and paper temp, lost mine right before flight. I actually don't think I had any problems other than being brought aside to be searched at each airport since I was an "Exception" with my temp license but I know places for sure won't accept a digital ID yet for drinks. Retail and a lot of places just aren't there with the tech yet. Also.. will there really be an era where nobody can use fake IDs? They're kinda fun to catch..

kstrauser 2y ago
Regarding running a tab: When I use Apple Pay at a gas pump, it first creates a temporary charge for more than I'm likely to spend. When I'm done pumping, it charges the actual amount and removes the reservation. I wonder if a bar tab could eventually work like that, where you temporarily hold $50 or whatever and then reconcile it when I close my tab. As a bonus, you'd never have someone forget and leave there credit card there again.
ghaff 2y ago
A few years ago (pre-COVID) I somehow lost my license between the car and the airport door. To my complete amazement wasn't a particular issue with TSA. WAS an issue checking into a Travelodge of all places and only made it work by paying cash.
sunshowers 2y ago
Yeah I've always wondered how bar tabs would work. Can they automatically be rung out (with the usual 20% tip) at the end of the night? That would seem to make sense and means people don't have to show up the next day asking for their cards back.

by swozey 2y ago

kstrauser 2y ago

Regarding running a tab: When I use Apple Pay at a gas pump, it first creates a temporary charge for more than I'm likely to spend. When I'm done pumping, it charges the actual amount and removes the reservation. I wonder if a bar tab could eventually work like that, where you temporarily hold $50 or whatever and then reconcile it when I close my tab. As a bonus, you'd never have someone forget and leave there credit card there again.

ghaff 2y ago

A few years ago (pre-COVID) I somehow lost my license between the car and the airport door. To my complete amazement wasn't a particular issue with TSA. WAS an issue checking into a Travelodge of all places and only made it work by paying cash.

sunshowers 2y ago

Yeah I've always wondered how bar tabs would work. Can they automatically be rung out (with the usual 20% tip) at the end of the night? That would seem to make sense and means people don't have to show up the next day asking for their cards back.