Saga of the anal retentive Amtrak ticket clerk...

[libnnc]

So my spousal unit and I were at the Amtrak station today buying my tickets for DC (dummy me didn't realize they were cheaper online but that's another story).

Everything was copacetic until my partner gave "Ticket Man" her credit card. She handed him her drivers license and Visa debit card, on the back she had written in the signature space "SEE ID" -- it's been like that for years with no problemo. All of a sudden "Ticket Man" gets real pissy and hands the card back to her and says "Under federal law, I cannot accept that credit card as form of payment. In trying to use this card, you have committed a FELONY! This card is not signed and that is -- a FELONY!" We both looked at each other and looked at him like he had three heads. I said, "But she showed you her ID..." nothing... "Ticket Man" was unmoved. He asserted again, "Using this card without the signature on the back is a FELONY. I will not aid in a FELONY!" Spousal unit threw up her hand and walked off. She was tempted to show "Ticket Man" her FAA federal ID badge and say something pissy right back at him (as she outranks him by more than a few DOT pay grades), but that may have made the situation worse. I was desperate to get my tickets -- and also broke, but I had barely enough in my checking account to get them so we used my card (which donned a worn, scratchy sig on the back).

WTF? :shrug: Has anyone else had an experience like this?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. How bizarre

The poor guy has probably gotten the law from up high, and is scared shitless to do anything unsual or that might get him noticed.

he's seen the writing on the wall, and knows that this administration throws to the garbage pile anyone who makes a wave.

[miss_kitty]

2. I've taken the card back

and signed it in front of the objecting personnel.

"There ya go! It's SIGNED now!'

[libnnc]

3. it was so weird, I always thought that by

putting SEE ID on the back, that alleviated any usage questions.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Ah no, you were acting suspiciously....

How could the clerk compare the signature on the card with the one on the ID? Hmm? Thought so, thief.

Not that many people do the SEE ID thing, and it sounds like you had the poor luck to be the first one for this clerk. I remember sitting in a beer and pizza sort of place once and overhearing the waitress arguing with a young guy because when she asked to see some ID he hauled out his American passport and the waitress snorted "That's no good here. Whoever heard of using a passport in your own country?"

[BiggJawn]

5. "Whoever heard of using a passport in your own country?"

Oh, just wait, my dearie, just you wait.....

[DS1]

12. I've had people do that to me, and then told them to take a hike

signing it right there isn't good enough. :eyes:

[displacedtexan]

6. I buy train tickets from the machine.

No lines. No wingnut clerks.

And I use my unsigned Visa card.

[libnnc]

7. what is this machine of which you speak?

I'm in Greensboro where the Amtrak "station" is about the size of a Baskin Robbins.

[displacedtexan]

9. Sorry. I'm in Baltimore.

We have these Train ticket machines for Amtrak and the Marc trains.

Like the DC Metro ticket machines.

They work like ATMs.

[trackfan]

8. Once, when I ordered tickets over the internet

I put my wife's name down with my last name - her driver license has her maiden name. When we went to pick up the tickets at the station, this caused the clerk to question us. I just kind of played dumb, which is my standard MO in life, and he let it go.

[NMMNG]

10. While he was right that the card is not valid unless it is signed

He did not need to be such a jagoff about it. (I recently got a new credit card and it says right on it that the card is not valid unless it is signed. I signed it and put below my singature "Please Check ID").

[DS1]

11. Don't be an idiot, sign your goddamn credit cards

and NO, cashiers are NOT allowed to accept them even after you sign them right on the counter. Think about it.

[jpgray]

13. "See ID" is acceptable everywhere I've been

And blank you just ask to see ID.

[flamingyouth]

14. Actually, cashiers aren't legally obligated to take unsigned cards

I find this personally annoying, as I work in retail and I've seen so much credit card fraud it makes my head spin.

I've gotten around this by signing my name really small with a giant PLEASE SEE PHOTO ID right next to it.

The state-operated liquor stores in Washington all have signs saying that they won't accept unsigned cards. I think the whole thing is silly.

[XemaSab]

15. If that's the most horrible thing

that happens to you on Amtrak, count yourself lucky.

:scared: