steveq

Best Buy won't accept unsigned cards he, without other id, like your drivers licence.

Steve_

I've used my chip card at several different US Wal-Marts, it definitely is proper chip + PIN like in Canada and European countries. Also been to several different Kroger's now as well, which supposedly also have it installed, but only one did.

Steve_

Got to have an EMV chip on the card, some American banks started doing it awhile ago so you could use your card abroad, I discovered that I could use my American credit card (which has the EMV chip) at Wal-Mart with chip + PIN as they put it in a year ago.

scrubbedexpat091

Well the self check out in San Diego didn't ask for a pin, didn't ask for anything at all. Just swiped the card, got an approval and receipt printed.

Not saying they don't have the ability, just reporting that the check out didn't ask for the chip or a pin.

Maybe its not been rolled out at every store? I have no clue.

Steve_

Because you swiped it. It says swipe or insert card. However unlike in Canada if the amount is less than $50 it doesn't ask for your PIN, hence my comment that I see of a lot of frustration on the horizon because people will forget their PINs.

I've been in three different US Wal-Marts since I noticed and they all had the same system.

Perhaps I should video it next time so I have documentary proof.

tonrob

Wal-mart is definitely using different type of terminals in different stores at the moment. How many types I don't know, but there at least 2 types out there.

steveq

Home Depot have changed out all theirs for something new, can't imagine why...

Bob

Was at a Chilies recently, they had those Ziosk kiosk terminals at all the tables, where you can swipe and pay at the table when you're ready....also can order drinks or play games on the things, though why you'd want to play games on the thing...

scrubbedexpat091

I am not saying you didn't have it happen nor that some stores don't do it that way, but the store I went to the machine never asked for the card to be inserted nor was there even a spot for it to occur.

I swiped the card using the mag stripe like has been done for 50+ years now.

Steve_

Well I used self checkout if that makes any difference.

Mr Weeze

I have Chip and Sign on my AMEX - as opposed to the magnetic swipe, I insert the card but still sign. In Costco I don't get to sign for anything less than $200 - it just goes through!

Giantaxe

I wonder whether the ability not to have to sign for smaller amounts at some stores will disappear after chip & pin becomes mandatory?

zzrmark

The idea of the 'pin' is to inform the card issuer that the request for drawings on your account is a genuine one. No signature is required once you have a merchant who can process chip and pin cards but the issuer will not authorise payment without the pin number.
Ergo, I have to enter my pin number for all purchases from Walmart (and just to add - their machines no longer accept payment via swiping my card) and for every purchase within the EU

Giantaxe

I misspoke. What I should have said was "I wonder whether the ability not to have to enter a pin for smaller amounts at some stores will be available after chip & pin becomes mandatory?". But I guess your last paragraph answers the question.

I bet there will be a lot of griping about this from consumers that have got used to not signing on small transactions.

Steve_

I already pointed that out upthread, which is why I dug up the thread.

How it works in Wal-Mart is for amounts under $50 you just insert the card, that's it, period. For amounts over $50, you have to use your PIN as well. Which makes me think a lot of people are going to forget their PIN and get frustrated with it.