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Journal nizo's Journal: Why does this work? 17

Journal by nizo

Sometimes card readers won't read my debit card, but sticking it into a plastic bag causes the reader to read it. For the life of me I can't figure out why this would work, does anyone have any ideas?

P.S. Slashdot needs a duct tape icon :-)

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Why does this work? More

Why does this work?

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  • Maybe (Score:2, Funny)

    by StalinsNotDead ( 764374 )
    Oils on the strip from constant handling interfere with the reading, and the plastic bag (because it's not been handled so much) doesn't have those oils on it.

    The only other idea would be demons. Your card is possessed by demons who can't get through plastic bags. So the bag prevents said demons from messing with the transaction.
  • in this link [dansdata.com]
    • Ahh now this could be it. Though I liked the earlier demon theory too. I bet the card gets bent because it sits in my wallet the same way all the time. So either I need to get a less rounded ass or put the card in the other way to help flatten it out (until it finally snaps in half from being flexed all the time).

      • Plausible, but complicated. I prefer to think that old, scratched, demagnetized bands and overused, dirty-headed readers don't get along well. A bag does a fine job of cleaning the reading head, thus allowing the read to proceed.

        I used to have all kinds of problems with my old (now renewed) debit card, but only at supermarkets and similar high-traffic POSs.

      • bet the card gets bent because it sits in my wallet the same way all the time. So either I need to get a less rounded ass or put the card in the other way to help flatten it out (until it finally snaps in half from being flexed all the time).

        ... or get a purse ... /me ducks :-)

        • I think the preferred term is "man bag". :-)


          I don't even like wearing a watch, so damn if I am gonna carry an (extra*) man bag around. I can almost tolerate a fanny pack (its a modern sporran!) when I have way too much to carry, and I will unhappily carry a backpack when doing the school thing, but I like being unencumbered.

          *Not counting the built in one, which sadly is useless for carrying much of anything.

    • ooh, plus it had a really cool tip for how to get free photocopies ...
  • ask.com is surprisingly better than google with these types of questions.

    Found this [exo.net] right away. Makes sense to me, so I guess I'll just have to grab hold blindly and beleive it. :-p
  • I think that since it doesn't know what has been stuck in that hole it is demanding a card condom.

    Does it like garbage bags or does it prefer the more sensitive "sandwich" style protection?
    • Heh


      Actually I usually see this at grocery stores, so the clerk simply uses a plain old grocery bag. Today however it happened at a fast food place I frequent and the lady used a disposable glove (a love glove?). Interestingly enough they have never had trouble reading my card before, so it could be their reader is getting grubby or something. I still haven't seen an explanation yet that really makes me happy (well the demon one does kinda).

  • I've seen this a couple times as well and wondered about it.

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