Isolation 2020
- Thread starter bobpbx
- Start date
- Status
I agree about the cash - I can see the cashiers would really rather not take cash. Except gas stations - they don't seem to have a problem with it. But aside from contactless payments, can't you use credit or debit cards without touching anything that doesn't belong to you? Insert card in chip reader, wait, pull it out and go? Or do some also require a PIN entry or signature? That would kind of defeat the purpose. Does anyone know how that works? Limited experience here, but with recent credit card uses I did not have to "sign" or enter a PIN. I think I read you don't need a PIN with a debit card either unless you also want cash back, but I'm not sure.
Pro tip: Those blue nitrile golves work fine with touch screens. You don't even need to put the glove on. Just pull it out your pocket and tap away, then put it back. Wash the glove when you get home - you can spray it with disinfectant for example.
Pro tip: Those blue nitrile golves work fine with touch screens. You don't even need to put the glove on. Just pull it out your pocket and tap away, then put it back. Wash the glove when you get home - you can spray it with disinfectant for example.
You just insert your card in the newer terminals I've used, but some (most?) stores ask you to confirm the purchase on the touchscreen. There are some local stores (like hardware, garden supply and liquor stores I've visited recently) that still have the old card readers where the clerk inserts your card, gives you a paper receipt and a pen to sign (ridiculous, since the card companies dropped this requirement years ago), then the clerk prints a receipt and hands it to you.
I never read the stuff when my new Amex card came (who does?) but I just saw that the new card works with contactless pay terminals (guess it has an RFID chip). Have not started looking for compatible terminals at stores, but I will in the future.
Contactless Payments with Your Card - American Express
Find out more about our Contactless American Express International Currency Cards. Designed for quick transactions on the go.
www.americanexpress.com
For debit cards... GET RID OF THEM. They are a disaster waiting to happen. My daughter and several friends have had their bank accounts frozen when their cards were compromised. We discussed this in another thread...
I just realized this as well! And I also have not gone to an ATM for quite awhile. But that is offset by additional groceries on my credit card, since I no longer get take-out.
You just insert your card in the newer terminals...
For debit cards... GET RID OF THEM. They are a disaster waiting to happen. My daughter and several friends have had their bank accounts frozen when their cards were compromised. We discussed this in another thread...
OK, thanks. I think if a store wanted my card handed to them and a paper signature, I would probably leave my purchases there and walk out. Except - my auto mechanic does that and I like them. But maybe they've changed. Or maybe they don't have a credit card reader the the customer can reach. They need one.
My debit card is also my ATM card so that isn't going away, but thanks for the reminder that using it for purchases is risky. But for some reason I feel odd using a credit card at a supermarket for food.
About those contactless cards: The state forests that have offices that accept credit cards for purchases got new terminals last year and they include contactless card readers, on long wires that reach out to the customers. They work with a credit card that has that 3-arc symbol for contactless. I'm not sure what advantage this gives you versus just 'dipping' the chipped card, but it does work - if you can figure out exactly where to tap the card on the terminal. The contactless readers also work with things like Apple Pay, for those who have it set up on their phones.
I was at a big locally-owned hardware store around a week ago, and they had the old style terminal I described. I would rather give them my business and take my chance with a toxic receipt instead of "leaving my purchases and walking out" and driving another 20 miles to give my money to Home Depot. But that's just me. 
Well, since you raised concerns about touching things, let's say the contagious guy before you puts his card in his mouth, then sticks it in the card reader. Now you stick your card in, and the germs transfer to the end of your card. Personally, I'm not too worried. I have alcohol wipes in the car, and wipe my hands, card, and everything else in sight when I leave the store.
Perhaps, because like me, you might of had to do it while the kids were growing up and hated having to do another step at the end of the month. Worse yet, let it ride and pay the bastards interest until you got it down again. Those cards were the devil in those days.
I don't want to minimize the gravity of the covid-19 stuation but I do need to share a recent experience. I was out on a bike ride and at the bottom of Apple Pie Hill someone named William White III has dug a well and started a business bottling and selling a magical elixir that wards off the virus. I bought a case and the nice gentlemen even gave me green stamps. Some of our readers may want to note that 40,000 green stamps will get you a rake and custom mixed paint. The business has special hours for those of us over 60 but I drank so much of the elixir I can't remember what they are. Everyone please be well.
T
Toothy Critter
Guest
Don't be taken by that snake oil salesman! I get the real stuff from my good Doctor Smith down in Egg Harbor. He's even got a wading pool to cool yer heels in.
Just got home from Dr. Smith. Dude, he had no green stamps and kept mentioning something about sales tax.
So to lighten this a little I give you these photos from my family collection. They were taken by one of three people, my great grandmother on my moms side, my grandmother, or her sister.
These photos are from the Spanish Flu era of 1918 to 1920 in Gibbstown NJ. The town of Bridgeport apparently had a float reminding everyone to stay healthy, and traveled to Gibbstown to join their parade.
I assume these are the front line health workers of the day. Take particular notice of the brick building on the left.
Here we see it again.
And here it is in 2015.
These photos are from the Spanish Flu era of 1918 to 1920 in Gibbstown NJ. The town of Bridgeport apparently had a float reminding everyone to stay healthy, and traveled to Gibbstown to join their parade.
I assume these are the front line health workers of the day. Take particular notice of the brick building on the left.
Here we see it again.
And here it is in 2015.
- Status