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A few years ago I was checking out of a reasonably up-scale hotel in Barcelona early in the morning. They punch numbers into one of those wireless hand termina
by paranoidrobot 8mo ago
A few years ago I was checking out of a reasonably up-scale hotel in Barcelona early in the morning.
They punch numbers into one of those wireless hand terminals. I tap my card, enter the pin and then before I can react to what the screen is now saying they've punched the 'Accept Conversion' button and submit it. By the time I realise what has happened, it's too late and has started printing the reciept.
I insisted they reverse it and redo the transaction without that - the staff didn't understand and didn't care they'd cost me another 10-15%. It really adds up for a week long stay.
- Panzer04 8mo agoWhat the fuck? Why are they tapping the terminal before you've confirmed the transaction?
- jerlam 8mo agoIn my experience, staff will do this if they are pressed for time, or when tourists don't know how to read or operate the payment systems and linger.
- nerdsniper 8mo agoWell, it’s an unwise strategy to use on me if they’re feeling pressed for time. I will get enjoyment from putting my foot down for as long as is needed to reach a resolution. That’s a 20+ minute decision they just made to try to save a few seconds.
- lowkj 8mo agoI once asked a cashier about this and they said it saved me money. They said representatives from the large national bank had done a presentation and noted how this is the best option for foreigners. I think they truly believe they are being helpful. Closest thing to legalized robbery.
- OkGoDoIt 8mo agoI had the exact same thing happen to me at a hotel in China. I could not get the person at the checkin desk to understand the problem so I ended up having to just eat the extra cost. Very frustrating, it was not a small amount of money.