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Unpopular opinion: I think the new tap-to-pay limits are actually making things worse for small shops

My coffee spot in Denver started declining my $8 card tap last week, so I had to use the chip, which took way longer in line. Has anyone else seen this slow things down at busy places?
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4 Comments
spencer_moore39
Ericfox nailed it with the whole chip reader slow dance thing. My local taco joint had the same problem last week - their tap reader just blinked red at me, so I had to do the chip shuffle while the guy behind me was literally tapping his foot. It's like they designed these limits to punish everyone equally. By the time I got my coffee, the line was out the door and two people had already left for the Starbucks down the street. Small spots are going to start losing customers if this keeps up, especially during the morning rush when seconds count.
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rodriguez.jordan
Saw my buddy's tap fail at a food truck yesterday.
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stellawood
stellawood2mo ago
Oh man, that's the worst! It reminds me of the time my card got declined at a taco stand because their whole reader just died. @rodriguez.jordan, your buddy must have been so bummed. I was just standing there holding a half-made burrito while the guy tried to reboot the thing. You could see the line getting longer and everyone getting hangry. Total chaos over some melted cheese and a broken machine.
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ericfox
ericfox6d agoRising Star
Oh great, so now instead of tapping and being done in two seconds, I get to stand there like a fool while the chip reader does its little slow dance. Might as well bring a book next time. Next thing you know they'll make us sign paper receipts again and mail in our payments. The whole point of tap to pay was to keep lines moving, not turn every coffee run into a 10 minute ordeal. Small shops are getting hit the hardest because people will just skip the line and go somewhere faster. Guess I'll start bringing cash like it's 1999 again.
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