You get to the checkout line and swip your card… Denied. But you know it’s good. Is there a way to solve your purchasing predicament?
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February 3rd, 2010 
You get to the checkout line and swip your card… Denied. But you know it’s good. Is there a way to solve your purchasing predicament?
22 Comments
pkw
Or..... You could use......cash and not worry about how your card slides.Kel [22]
You can also demagnetize hotel key cards by keeping them in the same pocket as a cell phone, interestingly enough.Antilitist
Keep up the good w0rd. Yes... w0rd, that isn't a typo.rossel [22]
"... and you should do everything like me." :)steph {207}
I always wondered why a plastic bag makes it work. I wonder if a thicker material wouldn't let it work. Probably... Maybe its not always the card but the scanner itself. Hmmmm.... That's a good thought. But you have a point. If your card looks like you've used it way ... moreNospinplease
I've always wondered why... the second one seems to make more sense. I'm seeing a new t-shirt idea too lolJesse’s Mom [22]
Geek chic...I'm thinking: NEW T-SHIRT!Pheonix_blu{207}
When I used to work at McD'S I renowned for my ability to get worn out cards to read, even if I was working a different station and they were having trouble with someones card up front or in the drive through they would call me out to fix it. ... moregrimhold
loved it, i can not tell you how many times i have had to do this but only at Wal-mart? go figure!!Dandapani [22]
My card fails to be read by only IBM cash registers. Every time. Failed at Denny's. Failed at Bob Evans. Failed at Starbucks. But it works everywhere else. Go figure.overlord
cool...i dont think it has anything much to do with the card i think it might be the reader filling up with oils and muck... the plastic bag takes it away without putting it straight on the card that its trying to readIngrid [22]
Cool show.. didn't know about the plastic thing, got to keep that in mind... And guys... It's 2010, but the copyright in the video stil says 2009 ;) ... (I'm having a dejavu right now)FanOfAr
I think the more important question we should all be asking ourselves is "How in the world did someone come up with the plastic bag solution??" If my card wasn't working, not in a million years would I consider swiping it again with a plastic bag. So I ... moremangboning
Having worked as a cashier, this is a problem I'm all too familiar with. I've never heard of this bag trick, but I have a speculation that may explain how it works. Your average credit card magstripe is made of a iron-based compound, typically Iron(III)Oxide (Fe2O3). Compounds such as these will typically hold a charge decently while only emitting a relatively narrow field. As a card is degraded from natural wear and tear, this field can become "fuzzy" as the magnetic field created by each individual molecule becomes even smaller. Fortunately, many card readers are strong enough to read even weakened ... lots morewx5aaa
I work on these everyday on atm machines and other devices. Chances are the reader needs to be cleaned with 90% or isoprop alchohol. The plastic bag can actually erase the info on the card. just clean the read the rest is up for you to figure out. Be careful ... moreCurtis [22]
Excellent info about the card swipe. That's a great idea to use a plastic bag. And it is so very important for the cardholder to get a new card. I'll try everything I can to get the customer's card to swipe. Often, swiping it fast, or backwards as stated by nick, works. Business owners who accept cards pay a percentage of that sale, usually around 2.5%, to the credit card companies. When the card doesn't swipe and the business types the card number in, that percentage jumps to about 3.5% or more. That ... lots morenick
I'm not really sure why it works either but I do know that it does work. Being a cashier I also know that sliding the card backwards sometimes makes it work so try that first. (it's easier) And about your comment at the end, at the store I work at ... moreOblivionWielder
Yay new episode! THX!The Informant
Woooohoooo!!!! New episodes always makes me happy! EqualsDSamuel
AND THIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!Samuel
YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've allways wanted to do that! FIRST AND SECOND!Samuel
FIRST!