Inconvenient Annoyances

I just arrived and had been promised that my Verizon phone was unlocked and simply needed a local SIM card to function here. So far that has been untrue. I ordered a GiffGaff SIM to see if I could do that "unlocking" myself with some internet advice.

My updated credit card from Chase has a chip in it, when I try to use it as a swipe the store tills won't take accept it because it says I need to enter a PIN, but the PIN they offer is only for cash advances, not purchases, yet even when I ask them to swipe behind the check out it still won't go through . . .

I just arrived and had been promised that my Verizon phone was unlocked and simply needed a local SIM card to function here. So far that has been untrue. I ordered a GiffGaff SIM to see if I could do that "unlocking" myself with some internet advice.

My updated credit card from Chase has a chip in it, when I try to use it as a swipe the store tills won't take accept it because it says I need to enter a PIN, but the PIN they offer is only for cash advances, not purchases, yet even when I ask them to swipe behind the check out it still won't go through . . .

Hi Jess,

I had a Verizon phone before I came over too, I don't know if there is a way to make it so it'll work. Mine was an iPhone 4S though, you may have better luck if it's a different phone. I ended up getting a phone in my husbands name, I think it costs us 36 GBP a month with unlimited texting and unlimited data.

That's really weird about your CC. Have you tried calling Chase about it to see what they have to say? If you have a Skype account it's free to call 1800 numbers in the US.

Thanks lyonaria!

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4, which I'm hoping is more pliable to working with. I've found a few online message boards that explain how to change the settings, but I need the SIM first to do that and when I went to the stores I couldn't try those there when it didn't work. I'm hoping to go with Giff Gaff because the rates seem pretty good, who are you with though? Because that plan sounds very good!

Chase said I should just tell them to hit cancel to get it to ask for a signature. So next time I shop I guess I'll mention the signature part and see if that helps the cashier know how to process the transaction. I looked at my other credit card to see if I might be able to make use of it, but it also has a chip installed so I don't imagine it working any better I guess if all else fails I just have to order everything online where I have to enter my credit card info manually anyway.

You're welcome!

I got an iPhone 5C when I came over in Feb of 2014 and I have T-Mobile. The  36 GBP includes the phone, which is awesome! I'm amazed with how inexpensive phone plans are here! I would suggest finding out from local people where you are what mobile company has the best service, because it can REALLY vary from company to company.

Yeah, I have to say that when I first moved over, my card was just a swipe card and getting the cashiers to do that was a bit of a struggle at times. I had a few who didn't even know how to do a swipe transaction! haha.

I have to say, it's awesome that you can order groceries online! And, even if it's not the funnest, most stores have next day delivery and you can do in store exchanges. I'm sure you'll be able to get your CC's figured out!

Yeah, I have to say that when I first moved over, my card was just a swipe card and getting the cashiers to do that was a bit of a struggle at times. I had a few who didn't even know how to do a swipe transaction! haha.

I had one cashier tell me she couldn't use my card because it didn't have a chip, although I could see the swipe option on the machine. I asked her what they did if someone's chip wore out. She said in that case they would just swipe it. When I asked why she couldn't just swipe mine, her reply was "Because you don't have a chip that isn't working". I told her to have a nice day (accompanied by a withering look), walked out and never went back.

So random - chips have only been used in UK cards for a few years - They weren't introduced in the UK until 2004 and so all cards were swipe cards until then and all shops knew how to process them.

I worked in retail in the UK between 1999 and 2010 and from my experience, they didn't get rid of the till's ability to swipe cards, it was just that the staff were told that cards had to have chips and they weren't allowed to accept swipe cards anymore... Of course that only applied to UK cards to make sure everyone used the new cards and they weren't told what to do if people had foreign, non-chip cards .


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So glad we have all this wonderful technology to make life so much easier for us! 

I was in England last month and none of my cards have a chip. The machines do have a swiper but the staff didn't want to use it. I finally found out why: if the card turns out to be stolen or the cardholder claims it was a fraudulent purchase, the establishment is 100% liable for the charge. The chip is supposed to protect the consumer (I'm still not 100% convinced) and the stores/ restaurants don't want to swipe (also because it costs them more) so they can protect themselves so really it's to cover themselves no other reason really. I simply told them that I had a valid form of payment and they don't want to accept it so I would take my business elsewhere. That changed their minds.

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I regularly use a Chase credit card and usually don't run into problems. However I do explain, with an apology and a smile, that they'll have to swipe it and get me to sign. Mentioning that its a US card usually starts a conversation and then the assistant wants to tell me about their Disney holiday, or their ambition to visit the US. Obviously this wouldn't be too convenient when there's a queue behind me, but luckily I spend most of my time in a quiet part of the UK.

Thanks everyone for the help about the card. I will mention the signature thing and see if that helps when I try again (hopefully when out to dinner tonight).

I finally got my phone to work using information from giff gaff's own community message boards about what settings to change in the phone. I was so thrilled when the everything started working properly, it was difficult to try to get things arranged without it and feeling like I was without help if I was out and about.

I regularly use a Chase credit card and usually don't run into problems. However I do explain, with an apology and a smile, that they'll have to swipe it and get me to sign. Mentioning that its a US card usually starts a conversation and then the assistant wants to tell me about their Disney holiday, or their ambition to visit the US. Obviously this wouldn't be too convenient when there's a queue behind me, but luckily I spend most of my time in a quiet part of the UK.

Same here, in the 6 + years I've been using a US credit card in the UK, I've always told the clerk that it is a signature card also with a sorry and a smile, before it is inserted/swiped and have never, ever had a problem using my card for purchases.  Though it might be better for me if it was a hassle to use my US credit card here, then maybe I wouldn't have so much charged on it! 

Same here, in the 6 + years I've been using a US credit card in the UK, I've always told the clerk that it is a signature card also with a sorry and a smile, before it is inserted/swiped and have never, ever had a problem using my card for purchases.  Though it might be better for me if it was a hassle to use my US credit card here, then maybe I wouldn't have so much charged on it! 

Guys, it seems that all the new cards that are being issued in the US have the chips in them, due to the whole Target, Neiman Marcus and all those other stores getting hacked in December 2013. Every store in my old hometown was switching over to RFID readers. You could still swipe and sign, but the chip reading was just starting to go live in June. My guess is the next time your card expires or if you get it replaced, it will have a chip.

The OP is having issues with her US chip not working in the UK machines as a chip and pin card.

My CapitalOne card just expired last month, always been a swipe and sign card, but this new one has a chip and I had to create a new pin for it. I haven't tried using it yet over here though, so I can't give any suggestions.

*sigh*
Our young dog, he's a little over a year old, keeps ripping the insoles out of my shoes. He's destroyed 5 pairs so far.

He's kept out of the bedroom unless we're in it. It was my fault for either leaving the door open or leaving the shoes out of the bedroom on 3 of them...

Last night was the last straw though. We were in bed, he was chewing on his antler. As I'm drifting off I realise his chewing noise is wrong... He was ripping out the insole on another pair or ballet flats! He got yelled at and kicked out of the room. I'm at my wits end.

I am fighting the good fight, but I woke up two days ago achy and feeling feverish, with a massive headache. More of the same yesterday, but with a worse headache. Today I have been hot and cold all day, with periods of both meeting in the middle making for real misery, and a goopy feeling tummy. I've been dizzy since yesterday. I can cope with all this normally, but we fly Wednesday, and more or less hit the ground running Thursday morning.

I know there are still 4 days in between, but it is an unsettling feeling to be sick prior to heading off on holiday. I've been trying so hard to avoid anyone I know is sick, but working at a hotel, a LOT of people come through, grocery shopping must be done, etc.

Whine over now,

After posting, the fever and chills were horrible for about 2 hours, then I seemed to start the slow rebound. I'm now to the point where I feel confident I will be back to good health by tomorrow night at the latest. Yay!