You Will Rue The Pay

Our contactless payments suddenly stopped working on all tills in all stores across the region; just one big technical fault that we had no control over. Chip and pin still works, so customers can pay by card but mobile payments like Apple Pay won’t work. We put a massive sign at the entrance warning that card payments are fine but NO CONTACTLESS.

Of course, people are huffy the entire day while it’s being sorted out despite us constantly adding more signs throughout the day.

Customer: *Getting out his phone to pay.*

Me: “Oh, I’m sorry but the entire contactless system has completely stopped working across the region, do you have your physical card on you?”

Customer: “No?”

Me: “Right, okay, sorry. Do you have any cash?”

Customer: “No, I have Apple Pay.”

Me: “Contactless is not working, so you have to pay with your physical card or cash.”

Customer: “But I have Apple Pay.”

Me: “I’m not sure what to tell you.”

Customer: *Shrugs aggressively.* “What now then?!”

Me: “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do. All the stores in the region have lost contactless, but we can store the items on a receipt for you to come and pay later?”

Customer: *Throws his arms in the air dramatically.* “I can’t come back later, just forget about it.”

He walks off muttering, walking past at least five signs saying “no contactless.”

Customer: “You should put up a sign!”