Dear Green Sheet:
Regarding your article on page 4 of the June 14, 1999 issue ("Another Way to Make a Buck"), Firstar and Fifth Third Bank in Ohio have been charging for verification of funds for about two years now. They are using a 900 number or a 800 number with "bill back." Their fee is $2.00 each.
Jim Karnath
Jim:
It is clear that you understood the point of the article. Thanks for providing a less obvious method to make another buck.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green, Editor-In-Chief
Dear Green Sheet:
An issue that Iím interested in learning more about is in relation to purchases via a debit card. Iíve often used a debit card for purchases, because of the inherent convenience features, i.e., no check writing, quick cash payment from personal checking account, et al.
Interestingly, I sometimes was asked to provide an I.D when using a debit or credit card, while at other times just the signature was necessary to consummate the transaction. That said, the questions I pose for you are the following:
Is it an arbitrary decision on the part of merchants as to whether an I.D is necessary?
Is it within my legal rights to refuse a merchantís request for I.D?
Would the request be interpreted as a form of discrimination, based on the color, creed, religion, race, or age of the purchaser?
I would appreciate your feedback/input, as well as any other assistance you could provide on this matter. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Cordially,
Syrus En
Syrus:
Although you may believe that your debit card is always being accepted in the same manner, debit cards can be accepted as both an on-line transaction and as an off-line transaction.
Without the details of your card, I will be forced to makes some assumptions for this answer.
I have a Visa branded debit card, which was sent to me by my bank as a replacement for my ATM card. I too noted that the card is processed differently when I ask the store clerk if they accept debit cards than when I donít ask anything. I find that that the card is sometimes accepted as a debit card, and I must enter my PIN number, and sometimes it is accepted as a credit card, and I am asked only to sign the receipt.
Generally speaking a merchant should always check ID, to be sure that the card is issued to the person using it, and that the signature on the back of the card is the same as the photo ID. (All of us have probably experienced a clerk asking us to sign the back of a card that we have forgotten to sign, and then checking it by comparing it to the signed sales slip?)
I am at a loss as to how a request to see ID before accepting a card payment would be considered any type of discrimination, although I will admit that this process is very poor, and only a fraction of transactions are checked at the point of sale. Perhaps some merchants think that a random and arbitrary checking of ID is adequate, or perhaps some merchants have simply not had problems getting paid by the card issuer.
We all seem to develop our sense of appropriate and inappropriate point of sale treatment, based on our experiences. At my current age, I tend to be disappointed when I am NOT carded at bars and clubs.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green, Editor-in-Chief
To Green Sheet:
I am interested in locating a survey on the volume of checks written by businesses, and for what purpose. I have found good data for consumers (e.g., number of checks written at point of sale, to pay bills [by type of payee], checks written person-to-person, etc.) but I have not been able to find the same thing for business. Do you know of any sources?
Keiron Lynch,
Visa USA, Inc.
Keiron:
Sorry, I do not know of a source.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green, Editor-in-Chief
Hi Paul:
After reading your Green Sheet for many issues, it still amazes me to note how much I still have to learn about this great business ! Could you please send me a couple of your plastic book covers so I may continue to keep my copies of your publication in good shape? Thanks in advance.
Best Wishes,
Burt Kramer, Electronic Proc. of New England
Burt:
We will put a couple of complimentary binders in the mail to you today. We have discovered that with our new, expanded format about six months of Green Sheets fit in the binder.
Good Selling!
Paul Green, Editor-in-Chief
Dear Green Sheet:
Enjoy your publication. I am not a current paper subscriber since my subscription expired, but however, I do try to stay up to speed online. Two questions:
1. Why donít you put a restriction on the types of free ads, like industry-related only? Not selling cars, beds, golf clubs, etc.
2. I have noticed your ad about free Web sites. Is this for real? What is the catch? I run a small sales office and have been considering a Web site to offer my services. Are there any fees?
Thanks,
Tracy Strickland, Select Services
Tracy:
We take the non-industry related items off of the site as quickly as we spot them. One of our problems is that another publication called The Green Sheet exists as a place to sell items such as cars, golf clubs, etc., and some people confuse us with them.The free Web site deal is for ISOs. The Web site is free to set up and free forever. The catch is that you must be an ISO to take advantage. If ISO is unfamiliar to you as a term, you probably arenít one
Good Selling!
