It is safe to say that I just love using my Capitec Debit card – no charges for swiping at retailers and at the pumps is such a peachy benefit of the account.
Both the Longhair and I do have problems using our debit cards (hers is from some other bank, though) at a number of Spars around town – in fact we tell the cashiers which machine to use at some of our local and regular shops.
Today was the turn of Acres Spar in Perridgevale – as I presented my card I realised that I was at a ‘problem’ till which more often than not displayed a lovely red DECLINED screen – quite embarrassing I can assure you as everyone looks at you like you are a criminal with no money to pay for the goods! Anyway, I requested the cashier, Claudine, to please get the swipe machine from the cigarette counter and try again as that machine sometimes does condescend to granting payment. As luck would have it that one also DECLINED.
Now I stood with two machines BOTH declining my payment and Claudine politely refraining from telling me to leave the shop even though she now obviously believed that I could not pay. BUT, I hit on an idea and told her; “I tell you what, I am going to go to the ATM and draw money from it, this will cost me R7.00, if I am successful then YOU owe me R7.00 for the inconvenience.” And off I toddled to draw the money.
Expecting resistance I return to Claudine and pay cash whilst requesting the presence of the manager who politely listens to my tale of woe and reached into his pocket to give me R7.00.
That R7.00 was a great investment for Acres Spar as I am now telling you that you can feel confident that shopping at Shannon’s Acres Spar will be one that guarantees a safe and fair environment for you.
Well done Shannon and Staff at Acres Spar in Perrdigevale.
Alan Straton
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You should have donated the R7.00 to charity though, that would have been the icing on the cake of this story!