We finished our meal. The staff brought the check.
I paid with my credit card. They ran the card and brought back the slip for the tip.
While i was filling out the tip, The waitress came back to the table and asked to see my ID.
Now, this was after they had run the card (provisional approval before final total). I
showed my PA driver’s license. She glanced quickly and left.
I have travel worldwide (due to business), I also eat out most weeks on the road (around 200 times a year).
I have never been asked for ID when paying for a meal. In particular, after I have paided for the meal.
I wrote on the bottom of the check that “I felt insulted being asked for ID at the table.” I pointed this out
to the waitress. She did not understand what I was saying. So, i asked to talk to the manager.
The manager (I found out the owner) arrived. I explained the problem and the feeling of being insulted.
He then started telling me I should be happy that he was trying to prevent credit card fraud. I heard several
different issues around bad checks. I explained that the charge was already paid! I told him that based on
the conversation that I would never be back and that I would post the conversation. He said, “he could not
believe that I was going to try and hurt his business by making the post”. I replied that the policy was
hurting his business, not the posting. I am just saying what happened.
No matter what happens here, He lost about 2000$ a year that I have spent over the year and would have
spent in the future. Had he just said something like, I understand or I am sorry or I will think about how it
was handled; I would not be posting nor upset.
Nothing like good customer service.
A couple of questions:
1. Did they post in writing their policy to look at identification when paying with a credit/debit card?
2. Are they consistently applying this policy to all that use a debit/credit card or do they selectively pick who they request an id for?
3. Did you ask these questions?
We finished our meal. The staff brought the check.
I paid with my credit card. They ran the card and brought back the slip for the tip.
While i was filling out the tip, The waitress came back to the table and asked to see my ID.
Now, this was after they had run the card (provisional approval before final total). I
showed my PA driver’s license. She glanced quickly and left.
I have travel worldwide (due to business), I also eat out most weeks on the road (around 200 times a year).
I have never been asked for ID when paying for a meal. In particular, after I have paided for the meal.
I wrote on the bottom of the check that “I felt insulted being asked for ID at the table.” I pointed this out
to the waitress. She did not understand what I was saying. So, i asked to talk to the manager.
The manager (I found out the owner) arrived. I explained the problem and the feeling of being insulted.
He then started telling me I should be happy that he was trying to prevent credit card fraud. I heard several
different issues around bad checks. I explained that the charge was already paid! I told him that based on
the conversation that I would never be back and that I would post the conversation. He said, “he could not
believe that I was going to try and hurt his business by making the post”. I replied that the policy was
hurting his business, not the posting. I am just saying what happened.
No matter what happens here, He lost about 2000$ a year that I have spent over the year and would have
spent in the future. Had he just said something like, I understand or I am sorry or I will think about how it
was handled; I would not be posting nor upset.
Nothing like good customer service.
A couple of questions:
1. Did they post in writing their policy to look at identification when paying with a credit/debit card?
2. Are they consistently applying this policy to all that use a debit/credit card or do they selectively pick who they request an id for?
3. Did you ask these questions?
I will take a stab at answering this:
1. The store can not have a policy that supercedes the issuing credit card company policy. As a merchant that accepts cards myself, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Amex are pretty clear that the card is the identification. The cardholder agreement says that lost and stolen cards should be promptly reported, and all of the major cards have protections for the consumer in place that minimize cardholder’s loss. Therefore, the assumption can be made that the person making the purchase is the cardholder.
2. See #1. Consistent or not, they probably should not be asking.
3. It does not matter if Zort asked the question or not. Zort was obviously not happy with the policy and has chosen to not do business there again. If the food is good it is Zort’s loss, but either way it is MTS’s loss.
We finished our meal. The staff brought the check.
I paid with my credit card. They ran the card and brought back the slip for the tip.
While i was filling out the tip, The waitress came back to the table and asked to see my ID.
Now, this was after they had run the card (provisional approval before final total). I
showed my PA driver’s license. She glanced quickly and left.
I have travel worldwide (due to business), I also eat out most weeks on the road (around 200 times a year).
I have never been asked for ID when paying for a meal. In particular, after I have paided for the meal.
I wrote on the bottom of the check that “I felt insulted being asked for ID at the table.” I pointed this out
to the waitress. She did not understand what I was saying. So, i asked to talk to the manager.
The manager (I found out the owner) arrived. I explained the problem and the feeling of being insulted.
He then started telling me I should be happy that he was trying to prevent credit card fraud. I heard several
different issues around bad checks. I explained that the charge was already paid! I told him that based on
the conversation that I would never be back and that I would post the conversation. He said, “he could not
believe that I was going to try and hurt his business by making the post”. I replied that the policy was
hurting his business, not the posting. I am just saying what happened.
No matter what happens here, He lost about 2000$ a year that I have spent over the year and would have
spent in the future. Had he just said something like, I understand or I am sorry or I will think about how it
was handled; I would not be posting nor upset.
Nothing like good customer service.
A couple of questions:
1. Did they post in writing their policy to look at identification when paying with a credit/debit card?
2. Are they consistently applying this policy to all that use a debit/credit card or do they selectively pick who they request an id for?
3. Did you ask these questions?
I will take a stab at answering this:
1. The store can not have a policy that supercedes the issuing credit card company policy. As a merchant that accepts cards myself, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Amex are pretty clear that the card is the identification. The cardholder agreement says that lost and stolen cards should be promptly reported, and all of the major cards have protections for the consumer in place that minimize cardholder’s loss. Therefore, the assumption can be made that the person making the purchase is the cardholder.
2. See #1. Consistent or not, they probably should not be asking.
3. It does not matter if Zort asked the question or not. Zort was obviously not happy with the policy and has chosen to not do business there again. If the food is good it is Zort’s loss, but either way it is MTS’s loss.
If #1 is indeed true then they are doing something against credit card policy agreements between the company and vendor that accepts them. They can be reported to the credit card company. I remember my ex-husband reported a store because they had a minimum $10 minimum charge associated with using a credit card in their store. After reporting it to Visa we saw that sign/notice disappear in the store that had been in there previously. I would say it would be worth your time to do the research associated with this to see if it is legally permitted first or not before blowing the business off. If it isn’t take action to prevent it happening to other people. If it is permitted tell us why and what requirements need to be in place or if people can randoming last for identification.
Just wanted to reply about my three sons! My wife and I have been eating there for over 2 years, the food and service has always been excellent. Plus when some one asks to see my ID I thank them for taking the time to protect me from fraudulant use of my card. Keep up the good work My Three Sons!
Me too! I always thank them for asking. Though I have never been asked...after the fact. Better late then never. I did have a pizza delivered a week ago.....Dang that was good!
I was disappointed that MTS has started a $10.00 min. credit purchase. I do not carry cash, always use cash card. So I do not see my self running to the bank for a $8.00 pizza, sorry guys guess I will not see you that often.
yeah - I am the same way; I never have cash on me. China Wok has the minimum too BUT they take checks! I’m sure the credit card fees hurt the small business man.
yeah - I am the same way; I never have cash on me. China Wok has the minimum too BUT they take checks! I’m sure the credit card fees hurt the small business man.
Fees are a bit of an hassle. I pay .25 per transaction and 1.69% on the purchase amount. I do not have a minimum CC purchase at my store, but it is frustrating when someone buys a .99 bottled drink with a check card. I am lucky to break even on it, but my hope is that the customer comes back for more in the future.
I’m right there with you Mark, except for our customers buy $1.00 worth of crickets.
We have no minimum cc purchase either. 90% of our customers use their CC & are repeat
customers. We don’t feel its our place to tell someone they have to spend xxx amount of dollars
to use their CC. Its part of the business just like the increase shipping cost, food price increase, etc.
It certainly makes it hard on the little family owned business.
We ask for ID during a CC transaction only if the CC request that we ask for ID.
Personal checks is another story.....
But at some point you need to pass your increasing costs to the customer or else you will be out of business. As far as credit card purchases and minimums its not a bad idea at all unless you accept taking a loss on certain items you sell.
As for me, if I have to pay finance charges on a soda I don’t need it
I havent been there in 2 years. I personally didnt care for there food. But maybe I should give it another try, maybe for breakfast!!
My fav. pizza is at the Mill House!!! My sister comes up to visit from the south and she always wants to go get pizza there. She calls it good ole YANKEE Pizza.
When my wife and I took my parents there to eat on a Sunday after church services, we honestly were very embarrased. The food was excellent!!! However ..... we had a young waitress who was very atractive, tall and needed to rethink her attire for serving food. She had on a pair of pants that were very low and had a blouse on that was 2 sizes to small, only to leave her midriff hanging out. When she served the food was she serving food or crack? ..........I dont know, it was disgusting! And her hair was pulled back in a loose pony tail but she had long sections of hair just hanging in the front....wander if any fell in our food? GROSS! I like hair with my meat loaf! We have seen this young lady before in the kitchen and behind the register. I dont know if she is somehow related to the management or not, and maybe that is how she gets away with it....but the dress code needs to be enforced there if they want to have familes continue to eat there. Like I said the food was excellent and the other waitress on duty was very professional and dressed proper for serving food. If she were our waitress, perhaps we wouldnt have had such an awkward dinner that Sunday. Please discuss proper dress code for serving families their food.......no butt crack or long hairs please!!!!
Right or wrong, many,many business have minimuns on credit card purchases. Quite a few retail shops, carry out food restaurants, gas stations (usually on any bank cards), package good stores, etc, etc, etc, Credit card fees charged by the credit card companies arer mostly to blame. There is even one large car dealership in the area that not only has a minimum purchase requirement, but they also do not except any credit cards other than MC and VISA. Seems they got burnt on fees from Discover and American Express and discontinued their contracts.
As to My Three Sons, we have been going there since they opened. Their food is usually very good, and portions are excellent. Their pizzas are very good, better than many other pizza specialty shops. I would go there for lunch or dinner anytime as there are many items on the menu to choose from. There are some that are a little too expensive for this area, but they are very good and again with excellent portions. I used to go there for breakfast on the weekend, but have stopped. They recently raised the price of ttheir buffet, and it’s now as expensive, if not more expensive, than some of the major hotel restaurants in many parts of this country. Their breakfast buffet is not worth the money, at least not the last time I went (about 3 weeks ago).
As for their wait staff, they used to have a number of very good waiters/waitresses. Unfortunately, many have moved on to busier restaurants. They have two young men who are very good, but the many of the women seemed to be too inexperience to be rated good. If you have a problem with any of their wait staff, you need to bring it to a managers attention, As with any business, unless management knows of the customers feelings, improvement will be slow coming. Management will usually want to know your thoughts.
Sir, just wanting to clear something up. I was that waitress that you had a problem with and Im not sure if you realize this, but I checked you card because the back was not signed. The reason i quickly glanced was because all that was necessary to ensure that your identity had not been stolen was to match the name to the name on the card. Beyond that, yes, I had run your credit card, what YOU unfortunately don’t understand is that the charge is not made to your card until after i closed the credit card(meaning I included the tip once i had the signed slip). Now when you approached me, you were rude and demeaning, demanding to see a manager for an issue I could have resolved by saying that the charge was not made until i had authorized that you were the cardholder. instead of explaining your problem and waiting for an answer, you embarrassed me in front of my other customers and my coworkers to prove a point. You act as if we ask for id just to charge the card anyway. We do it to PROTECT our customers. And even if the card had been charged and then I had discovered that you weren’t who you said you were, we could have removed the charge then and there. Just thought you should know that seeing as you came onto this forum and not only made me seem like a thick idiot, but also made my boss seem like a jerk as he was addressing your concern with common sense and a priority for the safety of his customers. Just wanted you to understand that you were the one who had no idea what you were talking about and treated the staff who waited on you with disrespect.
As I stated before, I have not been back. It is very interesting that is has been six months since the last post in the forum regarding the issue that I found. I will use an inline response technique to clearly and calmy try answer your statements.
Snip------
I was that waitress that you had a problem with and Im not sure if you realize this, but I checked you card because the back was not signed. The reason i quickly glanced was because all that was necessary to ensure that your identity had not been stolen was to match the name to the name on the card.
Inline----
This is the first time that anything related to a lack of signature has been discussed. I am sure that you believe that. My card was signed. It maybe what is referred to as a false memory. I travel internationally and used that card for the previous six months. The card had already been processed (provisional credit assignment codes applied to the transaction) and returned to me with the signature slip.
Snip------
Beyond that, yes, I had run your credit card, what YOU unfortunately don’t understand is that the charge is not made to your card until after i closed the credit card(meaning I included the tip once i had the signed slip).
Inline----
I will also note that; Processing a credit card that is not signed (as noted before, mine was signed) for provisional acceptance is a violation of the credit card agreement terms. Credit card processing is based on a Transaction Tracking System (TTS) that provides sequential integrity for any transaction. I would suggest that I understand clearly what a class 3 credit card charge system is design around. I would also suggest that you request and read the free Visa booklet (http://www.visafulfillment.com/visamerchant/product/product.asp?id=4652&mid=45) for resturant staff (Note: They do charge a fee for shipping). I consult/train several large credit card processing organizations on data integrity and data security issues. I teach the internals of the SQL transaction systems for use in Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). A short and nice primer can be found at http://www.shift4.com/CC_security.htm.
Snip----
Now when you approached me, you were rude and demeaning, demanding to see a manager for an issue I could have resolved by saying that the charge was not made until i had authorized that you were the cardholder. instead of explaining your problem and waiting for an answer, you embarrassed me in front of my other customers and my coworkers to prove a point.
Inline---
I am sorry that you felt embarassed. I was very calm and asked to speak to the manager after you did not understand why I was upset. As noted by my posting at the time (I wrote on the bottom of the check that “I felt insulted being asked for ID at the table.” I pointed this out to the waitress. She did not understand what I was saying. So, i asked to talk to the manager.) The simple fact that I asked to speak to a manager is not rude behavior. I did not insult or demean you in any way (You might want to check the dictionary for proper assignment of these terms). However, I was indeed pointing out to management that I was upset and felt insulted as a function of providing customer service.
Snip----
You act as if we ask for id just to charge the card anyway. We do it to PROTECT our customers. And even if the card had been charged and then I had discovered that you weren’t who you said you were, we could have removed the charge then and there.
Inline---
I am not really sure I understand what you are trying to say here. Credit Card transactions must follow a certian order of events to provide complete “trust” levels. If I had wanted to be rude and/or demeaning, I would have just walked out. The transaction had been completed at this point. The slip had been signed and the contract/transaction completed when you asked to see my ID. I am really not sure what you would have done if I had refused to show you any ID at all.
Snip----
Just thought you should know that seeing as you came onto this forum and not only made me seem like a thick idiot, but also made my boss seem like a jerk as he was addressing your concern with common sense and a priority for the safety of his customers. Just wanted you to understand that you were the one who had no idea what you were talking about and treated the staff who waited on you with disrespect.
Inline---
“Thick Idiot” and “Jerk” are your words not mine. If you re-read my orginal post, I never used those terms. I also said, ‘that you did not understand what I was saying’. That is a failure on my part to make it clear to you at the time. I apologize for not making it completely clear to you before discussing with the manager the incident. Discussing with the manager customer statisfaction issues is the only fair and responsible thing to do for any organization. He/she should be aware of why customers will not return. As noted in my previous post, I was not satisfied with his response to my dissatisfaction with the events. Nothing was a personal attack. It is only a customer business relationship that was concluded.
I have not been back in the past six months and will not be back. I put this incident behind me and let it go a long time ago. I really am surprised to see your reply after six months.
I hope the next six months will be better for you!
