Just came back from eating at My Three Sons.

The food was just OK (not bad, not great).

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.

I’ve noticed lately that everywhere I go stores ask to see my id now.  Personally, I’m glad because I’ve had someone take my credit card before and rack up a few charges.  Even if they didn’t think to ask until after the charge was put through they were still following a smart policy.  I’m sorry you felt insulted but I don’t see how they did anything wrong--unless your waitress was very rude in how she asked you and/or treated you like a criminal or something. (And I don’t have anything invested in my opinion because I’m not a fan of their food and I don’t go there.)

I purposely don’t sign my credit card and I write in the signature area “ask for id.” More times than not, I have my id ready to show but, I rarely get asked for the id.  It’s actually disappointing that more businesses don’t care enough to check.

velvetstevie - 10 May 2008 09:31 PM

I purposely don’t sign my credit card and I write in the signature area “ask for id.” More times than not, I have my id ready to show but, I rarely get asked for the id.  It’s actually disappointing that more businesses don’t care enough to check.

Lots of people do this, but I thought I saw that it was illegal to do that.......actually I thought I saw a poster at the New Freedom Post Office about it.

Chris_McGraw - 10 May 2008 09:43 PM

velvetstevie - 10 May 2008 09:31 PM

I purposely don’t sign my credit card and I write in the signature area “ask for id.” More times than not, I have my id ready to show but, I rarely get asked for the id.  It’s actually disappointing that more businesses don’t care enough to check.

Lots of people do this, but I thought I saw that it was illegal to do that.......actually I thought I saw a poster at the New Freedom Post Office about it.

Your signature on the back of the card demonstrates that you’ve agreed to the terms of the contract with the credit card company. If the card isn’t signed, then technically you’ve never entered into a legal agreement, and shouldn’t be using the card.

velvetstevie - 10 May 2008 09:31 PM

I purposely don’t sign my credit card and I write in the signature area “ask for id.” More times than not, I have my id ready to show but, I rarely get asked for the id.  It’s actually disappointing that more businesses don’t care enough to check.

We used to sign our cards “SEE ID”.  However, I’ve ran into a couple of times where stores wouldn’t take cards that say “SEE ID”.  So I’ve stopped.

Simple solution… sign the card and add “Request ID”. Many stores are requesting ID without even looking at the signature on the back. Of course, just as many swipe and return the card without ever checking…

Your signature on the back of the card demonstrates that you’ve agreed to the terms of the contract with the credit card company. If the card isn’t signed, then technically you’ve never entered into a legal agreement, and shouldn’t be using the card.

Technically, if you read the receipts you get from the vendor, if you sign the receipt, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the cardholder agreement.  Regardless of your signature on the card.

The card companies dont leave much room for error there.

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!

CHIPMAGICINC - 11 May 2008 09:43 PM

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.

+1

chrisjames_71 - 12 May 2008 06:32 AM

CHIPMAGICINC - 11 May 2008 09:43 PM

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.

+1

+2

If you were using a bank card, and using it as a debit card, there is some sort of built in protection in needing to know the pin number. But banks haven’t gotten on board with that security system, so the next best thing is to hope the place you are using your card at asks for id. If it is a bank card or credit card, someone can take either, use it as a charge card, and get away with everything. They could have still cancelled the transaction if everything didn’t match up. I really don’t understand how you don’t feel grateful, instead of insulted.  ???????????

zort2001 - 10 May 2008 08:46 PM

Just came back from eating at My Three Sons.

The food was just OK (not bad, not great).

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.

If that was the worst thing that happened to you that day ..... I figure you must have had a pretty good day!!!

My Three Sons is a decent local establishment - they have another location(s) as well.  I LOVE, LOVE LOVE their pizza.
Why in the world would the original poster think that asking to see ID from someone would be a reason to NOT go to that establishment?  Duh!
I’m ALWAYS happy whenever I’m asked to see my ID when paying on credit.  It makes good sense for me and it’s good sense for the business as well.

If the food was good and the waitstaff was pleasant then I would not complain.

markG - 12 May 2008 01:02 PM

If the food was good and the waitstaff was pleasant then I would not complain.

My thoughts exactly...gotta pick your battles

bravo to you , my three sons.  thank you for looking out for the people in your community.  let us all support the local guy and and not be so petty or soon we will have nothing but national chains in our neighborhood (and i would truly miss your fantastic seafood pitas and mixed green salads!)