Humans replaced by robot-like humans
Dear massive chain retail corporations:
Having your cashiers thank me by name does not impart a personal touch when they are reading my name off the cash register receipt.
From time to time I accumulate VISA gift cards consequent to my gambling activities (either by redeeming accrued comps or as part of a casino promotion etc.). Because the casinos are buying these in bulk and then distributing them to their players, they are not personalized, and simply say "Simon Gift Card" or "Gift Card". This is also what shows up in the name field on the receipt, leading to me being addressed as "Simon" or "Mr. Card" (or occasionally "Mr. Gift" if the register prints the last name first).
I find it particularly amusing at Safeway, because my actual name does appear on the receipt because of the Safeway club card that also gets swiped, so they should at least know to look there for the name.
It's also funny when people mechanically ask me for ID. "It's a gift card, there's nothing to match it up to." (I do sign the backs of them though, not that anyone cares about credit card signatures).
Having your cashiers thank me by name does not impart a personal touch when they are reading my name off the cash register receipt.
From time to time I accumulate VISA gift cards consequent to my gambling activities (either by redeeming accrued comps or as part of a casino promotion etc.). Because the casinos are buying these in bulk and then distributing them to their players, they are not personalized, and simply say "Simon Gift Card" or "Gift Card". This is also what shows up in the name field on the receipt, leading to me being addressed as "Simon" or "Mr. Card" (or occasionally "Mr. Gift" if the register prints the last name first).
I find it particularly amusing at Safeway, because my actual name does appear on the receipt because of the Safeway club card that also gets swiped, so they should at least know to look there for the name.
It's also funny when people mechanically ask me for ID. "It's a gift card, there's nothing to match it up to." (I do sign the backs of them though, not that anyone cares about credit card signatures).