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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!ut-sally!opus!rcd
From: rcd@opus.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Department Store Credit Cards: Why?
Message-ID: <205@opus.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 7-Mar-84 21:54:58 EST
Article-I.D.: opus.205
Posted: Wed Mar  7 21:54:58 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 9-Mar-84 01:05:14 EST
References: <263@houxb.UUCP>
Organization: NBI, Boulder
Lines: 57

<>
 > 	I don't carry cash. I don't *believe* in cash. I'm anxiously
 > awaiting the dawn of the cashless society. . . .
So am I - providing I can be cashless and still have some measure of
anonymity.  I don't much like the idea that in a couple of years someone
who doesn't need to know can find out that Saturday morning I went to the
grocery store for a bunch of food, then went to buy two sixpacks, then
bought a copy of Cerebus, went to the lumberyard and bought some plywood
and nails...you get the idea.  I've already complained about Radio Shack's
habit of wanting your name/address every time you buy something, and aside
from the junk catalog, one of my concerns is that they don't need to know
who I am and what I'm buying.  Yes, I'm afraid of 1984 phenomena!

Incidentally, it may be of interest that one Denver paper's consumer column
had an item in which the head of the local bank card (MC/Visa) company
stated that they DO NOT require a phone number or any other identification
(beyond a signature that matches the card and a check of the stolen-card
list) for use of their cards.  You might check this in your area (and I'd
like to hear; I'll post results if I get enough responses).  The other
point in the article is that as often as not the reason for asking for
(spurious) identification for bank card purchases is to try to get
lazy/careless clerks through a routine to be sure that they get enough info
on the charge.

 > Who actually *accepts* checks without also asking for
 > a major credit card for ID? . . .
For one, anyone who accepts my checks!  If I offer a check, they can damn
well take it with proper ID (driver's license or check guarantee; maybe
both).  If I want to pay with MC/Visa/AE, I'll do that and the store can
pay the fee to the bank card company, BUT if they don't take the card OR if
I choose not to use it, they're not going to get the benefit of the bank
card company for identification.  Moreover, I have my own standards for
what I consider appropriate identification.  I've had stores ask for my
employer or work phone, and I've refused.  (They've conceded the point.)
If a store imposes unreasonable identification requirements, refuse.  If
they won't take no for an answer, leave the merchandise there (let THEM put
it back) and walk out.  Go home and write a letter to the editor of your
local newspaper.  This hits the unreasonable merchant where it hurts.
I'm not against using bank cards, but they have their place.

 > 	Rhetorical questions aside, why do some stores insist on issuing
 > their own credit cards and rejecting commonly available cards?. . .You might
 > say they can't afford the overhead the card vendors charge, but the same 
 > could be said of the audio/video joints,
The reason IS the cost of taking bank cards.  Audio/video joints can afford
the overhead because most audio/video equipment is marked up by enormous
margins.  [Don't believe me?  Look at some of the "discounts" they offer -
sometimes as much as 50% off - and remember that stores don't stay in
business by selling merchandise at a loss!]  Margins on clothing and such
are much lower than on appliances, audio eqpt., and the like.  Any charge
card has a cost - store cards obviously involve one less hand in your
pocket and thus cost less.  [Another illustration:  Grocery stores have
very low profit margins, depending on high volume to make money.  How many
grocery stores accept charge cards?]
-- 

{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd