Please Buy A House And Stay In It

I’m working in drive-thru cash out during the lunch rush. Despite having two drive-thru lines, we are lined up around the building and super busy.

A guy pulls up, and I read him back his order and give him his total like normal. He gives me his card. I put the card in the card reader and proceed to give him his drinks.

When I go back to check on the card, I see that the transaction has been declined. That’s not a big deal; it happens from time to time. I put his card in again, but it’s still being declined. I try it one more time, and once again, it is declined.

Me: “Sir, your card has been declined. Do you have another form of payment?”

Customer: *In a really rough voice* “Run it again. There is enough money to buy a house on there.”

Me: “I already ran it three times, and it has been declined.”

Customer: “Run it again!”

I run it again.

Me: “It’s been declined again, sir.”

It’s taking way too long to get this guy through the line, and people are starting to get a little annoyed. My coworker on the headset checks to make sure everything is okay.

Me: “Sir, do you have another card—”

Customer: *Rolling his eyes* “This is crazy! I could buy a house with that card—”

Suddenly, he stopped. He checked his wallet again, and apparently, he found the correct card because it worked. After that, he looked ashamed and drove away in silence.

Check that you’re using the right card, people! It doesn’t need to be able to buy a house, just a meal!