People who don’t carry their bank cards with them

[Auburngal]

I was in Sainsbury’s this morning and systems are down. No contactless, chip n pin taking ages to go through. Unable to buy gift cards, mobile top up vouchers.

Systems going down like this happen not very often but when they do it’s awful.

On the self scan next to me a woman screamed at the manager on why she can’t pay on her mobile.

Why do many people don’t carry their bank cards anymore? The cards don’t weigh much. Plus if the contactless payment system goes down, hopefully their card will go through via chip n pin. Also they won’t look like idiots either. No sympathy for these.

Regarding contactless payments- sometimes your bank, NOT the retailer etc asks you to do a CnP payment as part of security. “I dunno my PIN”. You can change your PIN to any number you want (not 1234, 1111) at any ATM under PIN services.

Concerts and sports events at a 60k-capacity stadium not far from where I live. I'd prefer not to identify where that is, but it's in a major city and regularly hosts large events. As soon as it fills up, the internet drops out in a very large area, and every time it does, there are panic-stricken people who can't access their tickets and can't get in.

I work there on most event and match days and it happens every single time.

This happens all the while for me in busy places, I thought it was maybe because I use O2 (Tesco mobile) which is good for where I live but often doesn't work in busy places. I was at an outlet retail park today and internet didn't work on my phone half the time because it was busy, very frustrating when I wanted to use a discount voucher on my phone

How are they in there if they can’t access their tickets? Do none of them have a phone signal?

That’s a specific app, not just an across the board point for tickets. If I need, for example, a barcode or QR code from a ticket I will screenshot before I go.

I’ve never used ticketmaster as I’ve no interest in the types of events they sell tickets for, but if they’re asking people to rely on their app then that’s their own poor design for not having a download/offline option. If they can’t produce the software then they should go back to paper tickets.

eta: just read back a few posts and apparently they do have an offline/download option, so….. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Apple Pay works via NFC, it doesn’t require internet.

Hey OP. I have no sympathy for people who ask questions loaded with such judgement. WOW.

Why a woman was screaming at a manager is one thing. You can never know what's going on in someone's life that causes them to explode when things go wrong.

However, why do I not carry my bank cards everywhere? Well let me see, I'm a solo mum no family around and I don't keep tabs on what my friends are up to all the time. Should my house burn down with all my cards there - I still have access via my phone. Should someone steal my bag, pick my pocket etc while i'm out - I just need to get home to get access. If I'm out for exercise I'm going to have my mobile in my pocket and not cards.

Welcome to 2024. I'm surprised you didn't tell us off for not carrying cash or maybe traveller's checks. Just in case!

Any other judgements you'd like to tell us about?

I love cash. at least £20 , some change for parking.
also carry the bank card so no chance of getting stuck

Op, you are quite right. At least carry one card. Sat am absolutely hilarious. Not got through checkout so quickly before. All those people rolling up with shopping baskets, no cash, no cards, DESPITE THE BIG SIGN AT THE FRONT DOOR. The downside, most of the idiots were blaming the checkout staff.

I work outside the venue, for a major transport provider.

Obviously some people will get online or have downloaded tickets ahead of the event, but there's always a significant number stuck outside in desperation unable to access their tickets, and taking it out on us.

The payment terminal does.

purses can become quiet bulgy and a hassle to carry around you never end up keeping just one bank card. I used to be one of these people who just pays for everything on Apple Pay, carrying no cards, until I got caught needing ID

It's so freeing to be able to go out and just take a phone rather than a purse with card and cash in a handbag.

I have an Apple iPhone and an Apple Watch, but I’ve never used either to pay for anything with Apple Pay.

Still a card paying gal.

I feel like the odd one out 😂

It happened in all Sainsburys including Locals and Argos inside Sainsburys. Unsure if it affected Argos stores

That’s not right. I’ve got an ancient Apple Watch that has no cellular data and I’ve used it out of range of my phone. It’s just an electronic version of your cards chip and pin.

I'm sorry but not.everything is clear cut like you think it is. I use a smart watch or my phone, holding a card is hard due to disability and I'm very likely to drop or lose it. If the banking system goes down it's very unlikely chip and pin will be available they are both the same. As for asking for the card if your paying by Google wallet or iPay you don't need the card at all. The security on it isn't a pin it's usually your finger print so instead of putting your pin in every 5 times like with chips and pin, you'll be asked to put your finger print in.
As for banks you'd be surprised at least 3 cards I use daily are entirely digital. I have a HSBC Advantage virtual card, a bio card and a Santanda virtual carf. None of these have a physical card and can only be used this way. Which is what all banks aim to do by 2040 to eradicate cards.

I don't just have a big empty bag with a lone wallet bouncing about in it, though?

I carry my wallet and metal card holder, plus keys (2 sets), my Oyster card, a book, a water bottle, a mini torch (after being stuck underground on the tube years ago and the train lights going out), a power bank, mints, tissues, painkillers and a pen and paper - that's when my bag is tidy. I also have a plastic spoon for cinema icecream since they brought in the godawful wooden ones 🤣

I don't wear makeup, but I'm sure some people carry that too. I suppose it makes a difference how long you're going to be out for and what you're doing.

Apple Pay and Garmin pay never ask for a PIN. If the system is down and I’ve done a big shop, I just leave there and go home.

In which case bank cards wouldn’t work either.

Because I CBA