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OT Scientists: Why Do Credit Card “Tap” Functions Never Work?

Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:10 am
Posted by RFK
Squire Creek
Member since May 2012
1321 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:10 am
I’ve found the tap works about 1/3 of the time or less.

Is it the machine or the card?

My El Cid Credit Union debit card FWIW.

Posted by DeafJam73
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2010
18432 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:10 am to
Could be your card. Mine works all the time.
Posted by Long Ball Larry
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2021
1385 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:11 am to
I always have good results when tapping.
Posted by beerJeep
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2016
35007 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:11 am to
quote:

Why Do Credit Card “Tap” Functions Never Work?


Because it is supposed to be more of a “hold” than a “tap”.

Hold it there for a second n see if it works.

If not, unplug it and plug it back in?
Posted by Dixie2023
Member since Mar 2023
1424 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:12 am to
Crappy, cheap cards. My bank card won’t tap or slide won’t read. Insert chip s only way it will read.
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
12104 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:16 am to
Someone tapping a card is a good way to identify a work from home soy boy.
Posted by Clockwatcher68
Youngsville
Member since May 2006
6903 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:18 am to
quote:

I always have good results when tapping.


My wife confirms that. Jody.
Posted by CrystalPreserves
Member since May 2019
2578 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:22 am to
I carry three different chip cards, and only 1 of the three has a chip that works with a chip reader.
So, my experience is about the same.

I just use the one that let’s me tap anytime.
Posted by Proximo
Member since Aug 2011
15552 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:29 am to
Use your phone like an intelligent person
Posted by mikelbr
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2008
47474 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:30 am to
quote:

I’ve found the tap works about 1/3 of the time or less.

Is it the machine or the card?


It's 90% you not knowing where to tap the card and 10% you not knowing 'how' to tap the card.
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12737 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:30 am to
Most of the time it is the machine, or bad design of the machine. I've seen several around town with a sticky note on them instructing exactly where to tap. Some are on a screen display. Others are down by a keypad. Others have a separate little wedge sticking out of the top and that is where the tap reader is. I like it because it is faster than chip readers or swiping, but there are so many different machines and they all do it somewhat differently.
Posted by 3deadtrolls
lafayette
Member since Jan 2014
5690 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:33 am to
I Apple Pay just about everywhere now. I hardly even take my card out anymore.
Posted by GetCocky11
Calgary, AB
Member since Oct 2012
51270 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:37 am to
Maybe it's the user.

I never have issues tapping the card or using my apple wallet on my phone.
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
75855 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:45 am to
Hell, tapping is usually the only way I can get my debit card to work.

HEB's proprietary card readers don't have tap functionality and I get a bad chip read error every time I go to the grocery store.
Posted by Pettifogger
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Member since Feb 2012
79170 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:47 am to
A couple years ago I would have agreed. Now I find tapping more reliable than chips, what with their finicky wife-like instructions (leave it in, no take it out now, etc.)
Posted by YatInTheHat
Member since Apr 2017
866 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:50 am to
quote:

HEB's proprietary card readers don't have tap functionality and I get a bad chip read error every time I go to the grocery store.



Like another poster mentions above its machine design, there's no standard. The reader can be anywhere on the machine with no clear indication on where to tap.

And then there's HEB. You'd think the biggest grocery chain in Texas would have a better feel for tech.
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
65611 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 9:59 am to
Pics of both sides of your card please, for diagnostic purposes.

TIA
Posted by TheDeathValley
New Orleans, LA
Member since Sep 2010
17152 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 10:22 am to
I never have issues, there is usually the symbol on where to tap. My wife uses her phone. I haven't tried that yet.
Posted by yellowfin
Coastal Bar
Member since May 2006
97626 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 10:23 am to
Tap works with Apple Pay

I don’t even carry a wallet anymore
Posted by SouthPlains
Member since Jul 2023
498 posts
Posted on 1/17/24 at 10:25 am to
From someone formerly in the industry:

1) most terminals are shitty Chinese hardware that take an absolute beating from merchants and consumers alike. We had several instances of people spraying water all over the terminal to clean it, causing a malfunction.

2) cards also take a beating from constantly being swiped and shoved in purses/wallets. Next time you get a shiny new card, visually compare it to the one you’ve been using the past 4 years and note the wear and tear.

3) people are retarded and take “tap” literally

Hope this has been informative.
This post was edited on 1/17/24 at 10:26 am
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