The Little Things...

Saturday, 3 August 2013

After 2 weeks in the US, visiting Suzanne and getting some work done (yes, it was a working vacation) I arrived at Manchester International Airport. I had to grab a taxi to get to the office, having arrived at noon and my car was in the parking lot there. After haggling a bit over the price of a taxi I decided to pay with my debit card. Here in the Eurozone it's strictly chip and PIN, no signatures please, they are easily faked.

I stick my card in and tap out the PIN. "Sorry, wrong PIN." Huh?! Oh yeah, that was my US debit card PIN. So I try the right number. "Sorry, wrong PIN." Okay, now I'm flummoxed. I have a mnemonic to ensure I remember all my PINs (don't we have too many numbers and passwords to remember!?).

Think about it, Tim...ah, now I remember! "Sorry, wrong PIN."

Well, if that's not it, then it MUST be XXXX. "Sorry, your PIN is blocked."

What does THAT mean?! The man behind the counter says I've entered the wrong PIN 3 times, so it's now locked out. I have to contact my bank to get it corrected.

(mild panic...keep it straight...)









I have just enough cash to pay for my taxi. And possibly buy lunch.

As a bit of background, this local UK bank is the same bank that told me to fill out some forms and bring them to the nearest branch so that I could open an account. When I arrived at the bank they then told me I had to make an appointment...to drop of my form...really?! I asked if they knew how silly that sounded...and I kid you not: The person looked directly at me and calmly said that was what I had to do; could I please step up to the appointments window.

So I was NOT, and I mean very NOT looking forward to trying to sort this out.

So I call the bank. The help desk lady admonishes me for dialing the wrong number. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!! I CALLED THE NUMBER ON YOUR WEB SITE, THAT SAID TO CALL THIS NUMBER IF MY PIN WAS LOCKED!

"We're sorry sir, I'll help you, but next time you must call this number: 1234 123 123456"

(heavy sigh on my part) Whatever.

"We'll send you your PIN. Your card will be unlocked by the time you receive it."

And how long will that take?

"About 2-3 days."

(heavy sigh on my part) Okay.

So, I'm off to an ATM that will dispense cash using my US card. You know, need to convert the $ to ￡ which means I'll get a ridiculous rate, plus have to pay bank fees. Oh well, when you're down you get kicked.

So my PIN finally shows up and just to be sure I call the bank (yes, I called the "right" number this time, smartypants) and ask if there is ANYTHING they have to do before I go down and use my debit card. (oh, a real "doh" moment: my PIN was off by 2 numbers being transposed).

"No sir, after a set period of time it automatically unlocks itself. You can now use it."

So there is nothing more needed? I can use it anywhere with my valid PIN?

"Yes, sir. But sir, as a reminder, you can go to any [bank name here] ATM and unlock your PIN yourself. If you know your PIN of course."

Okay, thank you.

So, on the way home I stop by a store and get a few groceries. Out comes my debit card, and with a smile I stick in the machine. I go to enter my PIN, and the clerk stops me.

"Sorry sir, your PIN is locked out."













(Okay, I am trying very hard to hold it together here.)










(I take a deep breath.) Okay, can you accept a US card, swipe and sign?

"I think so...let me see." (Lots of drama over whether my signature is mine, does it match the card, my driver's license...) "Sir, do you have your passport with you?"

After holding up the check out line a bit longer I'm all sorted at the store. I have food for a few days and just enough cash to last me to the weekend. That's just in case I have more "issues" with my debit card.

I get home and put away my food, have dinner and call Suzanne. Afterwards I head to the "local branch" over in Seascale, just 3 miles away. I park, walk across the street and look for the ATM...nothing outside...maybe just inside the door...door is locked. WHAT?! A bank branch with NO ATM?!

GRRRRRR!

So I decide at the moment to drive up to Whitehaven, 13 miles up the A595, where there is a large branch office, and I KNOW I've seen an ATM there.

I pop my card in...enter the PIN...eureka! It works. I get ￡100 in cash, just for insurance.

By this time it's been almost two weeks since I got back from the US. Hassle, hassle, blah, blah. But the next day I am planning to go to Dundee for a show and I want to use my cash to buy models (maybe) so my debit card will be buying gas. And I know for sure I'll need to fill up en route.

So the next morning (Saturday, 3 August) I stop for gas and present my debit card.

"Sorry sir, your PIN is locked."

(I take a very deep breath, count to 10...) Here's the cash.

Luckily, I had enough cash for what I wanted to buy at the model show. And on the way I saw a branch office, that was actually OPEN! I checked the Saturday hours...open until 2pm. I'll give it another try to get it unlocked at the ATM and if it doesn't work this time, they'll get a load of crap from me FACE-TO-FACE!

I pop in my debit card...enter my PIN...and lo! A menu choice to "unlock my PIN" pops up! A quick press...it says everything is grand!

By this time, I certainly know the probability of it actually working. But at lease I know I can talk to a human at the branch.

I head to lunch and note how much cash I have, just in case. More than enough for lunch at a typical pub.

I present my debit card...enter my PIN...and...it... WORKS!

If it wasn't so tragically funny, it could make me cry.

Oh by the way, Suzanne is very happy to have me work from home.

Until next time...