bitful

UK-based weblog on technology, queerness, language and fitness

All carded up and nowhere to pay

Electronic circuits

When I heard Barclays was releasing a three-in-one Credit, Oyster (London transport) and OneTouch (cashless purchases under ten pounds by waving the card on a reader) OnePulse Barclaycard, I was the first in line to get it.

The accompanying leaflet showed the logos of some of the retailers that will be accepting OneTouch payments soon: Books etc., Coffee Republic, Yo! Sushi, Krispy Kreme, Thresher and Eat.

I decided to give it a go on Friday morning, as I was in Paddington station going to Cardiff for work and was as usual too early.

I went to Krispy Kreme, asked if they were equipped for OneTouch payments, was met with a quizzical stare. I left. My blood sugar was safe.

I was glad to see Yo! Sushi was still closed (raw fish in the early A.M.? Gaaah).

I got a coffee and a bottle of water at Eat, went to pay, asked for OneTouch. Yes? No? I showed my card, enquired about the reader, explained how I wanted to pay.

The kind, serviceable, customer-focussed till operator tilted her head, arched her eyebrows and rebutted 'You wanna do wha'?'

The queue was building up behind me. I fished for some coins. I wondered when the future would catch up with me.

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