(I’m working the counter of a busy service station. An elderly customer comes in to pay.)
Me: “Good afternoon, sir. Just pump six and the LPG today?”
Customer: *producing his bankcard* “Yes, that’s all, thanks.”
Me: “Great, your total is $46.71.” *rings up sale and waits for him to enter his PIN*
Customer: “Can I have my change?”
Me: “I’m sorry, sir?”
Customer: “My change.”
Me: “Okay, sir, I’m really sorry, but I’m not quite sure what change you mean.”
Customer: “What’s my total again?”
Me: “$46.71.”
Customer: “Great, can I have my change?”
Me: “Sir, you’re paying by card. You won’t get change as you will be paying the exact amount electronically.”
Customer: “Oh, I see.”
(He is pressing buttons on the keypad, but has not selected an account.)
Me: “Sir, you need to select an account.”
Customer: “Yes, I’ve done that.”
Me: “You want ‘Cheque’” or ‘Savings’?”
(He finally selects ‘Cheque’ and enters in a PIN. After a few seconds, it comes up declined as he has entered an incorrect PIN.)
Me: “Okay, sir, you’ve entered an invalid number for your PIN. I need you to try again.”
(I ring up the sale again, and make sure he selects ‘Cheque’ again. He seems very confused.)
Customer: “What was my total again? I want to get this right.”
Me: “Forty-six dollars and seventy-one cents, sir.”
Customer: “Okay!” *punches in numbers and announces them out loud* “4-6-7-1!”
Me: “Hang on, sir. You’re entering your total instead of your PIN.”
Customer: “Well, yes.”
Me: “The total is already in our computer. You need to enter the PIN for your card so the sale goes through.”
Customer: “Oh. What’s my PIN, then?”
Me: “Would you prefer to pay cash, sir?”
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