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Photo by Ellen Delis,
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  #31  
Old 7 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
Dash:

I used to have a problem using my Canadian credit card at American gas stations, until I figured out the trick:

If you 'pay at the pump' (in other words, insert your card into the pump to get it authorized prior to pumping the fuel), the pump will ask you to input your zip code (American postal code), which is, of course, something that visitors from outside the country don't have.

All you have to do is enter any 5 digits (for example, 22222), and that will enable you to proceed to the next step in the authorization process. The authorization computer will recognize that you are from out of the country and then disregard the zip code you entered, and the transaction will be authorized.

The silly thing is that you can't get the connection to the authorization computer unless you enter a zip code - spurious or not.

Michael
I did think of trying that, but I guess never actually tried.
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  #32  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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The situation could be quite simple really, and may have nothing to do with petrol station , or any other card reader in France for that matter. Before you leave home, ie the country where your card was issued, make sure your bank has cleared it for overseas use. Some card issuers put a block on anything coming from an overseas request in case the cards been stolen.
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  #33  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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I struck the problem the other day. It was two minutes past midday and the woman in the little box with the boom gate motions to me that I need to use the other lane as she was closing for lunch. I ask her please can I quickly fill up and pay. She says with a definite motion, no. I say I can't use the automatic machines with my visa card, she says I can, just use it.

So, I go over to give it a try, in case something has changed here in France.
I insert my visa card in the pump machine and it tells me to please be patient. After 30 seconds it tells me the card is refused, damn.
That woman was walking away and I'd so much like to show her how my visa card does not work.

My visa card is a modern chip and pin card. It is a travel card already loaded with euros.
If I go to the money machine in the wall, I get asked for the pin and money comes flowing out, so why not petrol?

I sit here now typing this as I need fuel for the bike and it is just past 13h (1pm) and I have another hour to wait before I can go and fill up.

I normally have it organised so that I fill up last thing of the day or as I get underway for the day. Oh, well, I'll take a walk through the village and enjoy what it has.

I'll be in Italy in the next day or so, so will see how things are over there.
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Paul
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  #34  
Old 9 Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by Pongo View Post
The situation could be quite simple really, and may have nothing to do with petrol station , or any other card reader in France for that matter. Before you leave home, ie the country where your card was issued, make sure your bank has cleared it for overseas use. Some card issuers put a block on anything coming from an overseas request in case the cards been stolen.
It could be, but it's not - in my experience and that of several others who have posted.
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  #35  
Old 14 Jul 2013
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I'm in Italy now and the very same card works as it should.
I can use the PIN number and I can also use the 24h pumps, where as is France it has been a right pain as their machines simply don't work with my chip and PIN card.

In France last week, I noticed some of the smaller supermarkets, like Super U are now making their fuel outlets unattended.
I hope this is not a trend. Who can we nudge in France to get it sorted.
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  #36  
Old 14 Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by rockwallaby View Post
In France last week, I noticed some of the smaller supermarkets, like Super U are now making their fuel outlets unattended.
I hope this is not a trend. Who can we nudge in France to get it sorted.
It's France. It has it's own way of doing things. That's just the way it is.
A shrug of the shoulders and yer stuffed
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