Why don't fast food drive-thrus make you sign your credit card receipt?

Question

I notice that you almost always have to sign the receipt when you use your credit card, even at the movies. Why is it fast food and food court restaurants don't usually have you sign? Can I refuse to pay the charges on my card since technically I never agreed to by signing anything?

Answer 1

No signature is really required for amounts less than $25.

Answer 2

Some fast food places do, I guess others don't. I've also noticed I didn't have to sign the past few times at the pharmacy either. But, you could dispute it. It probably would be a good way, except for a few things. If you never lose possesion of your card, (ie. you're still using it) your bank will know that it wasn't stolen. So, you could only do this once, and then report your card stolen, go without a card for a week, and wait for replacement. All for like $10 worth of cheesburgers. Additionally, if the bank was very suspicious, they can get photos from the store's card company (MasterCard, NYCE, etc) and it will show you handing the card. Also, when you dispute a transacion you usually sign something saying it wasn't you, and you don't know who it was, and didn't assist them, etc. Then, if you get caught, you have a nice little case of perjury. So, all in all, probably not worth the risk, but still a strange practice on behalf of the fast food industry.

Answer 3

I think at mostly all fast food/cafes/restaurant places if your total is under $25 you don't have to sign the receipt if you payed by credit card. You probably could, technically, refuse to pay the charges but most likely they're not that much so it's not worth it. Why would you need to? Ya know?

Answer 4

Cards are swiped and the amount spent is punched in and approved by machine instantly. If your card was used in this way and you haven't reported it stolen then it is likely you were the one using it. That's the theory anyway. Nobody checks signatures. The slips aren't returned to a bank anymore. They have to be kept and then destroyed after so many years. If there is a dispute you can try to prove you weren't there, but chances are you won't win. Some stores have cameras and you leave a paper trail wherever you use plastic money.

Answer 5

It is a program called "Quick Service Program". It is supported by Visa and all of the other card companies.
It was designed for merchants (stores) to be able to check people out faster with a limited amount of risk.
Each establishment picks a floor limit and the machine will not dial out for approval under that dollar amount. So if you did not have funds in that account, they would not know until they settled for the night.

Answer 6

many of the credit cards not dont require a signature if under $25 or so. Their computers are so tied up. Are you going to dispute the charge and go thru that for a few dollars? don think so/

Answer 7

Well i used to work in one they only make you sign the credit card receit if you spend more than Ten or twenty dollars depending on the place!!!!

Answer 8

I don't think anyone should be using a credit card for fast food. It encourages you to spend money when you don't have any and that leads to "debt". If you run in the Red all the time - then how can you complain when the "cons" in "con"gress raise taxes to pay off national debt?

Answer 9

I work at a Burger King restaurant and we have to make the cutomer sign their name if their order is at or above $15.00 worth of food. But if you order less than $15.00 worth of food then you don't need to sign anything.

Answer 10

I think it is for a certain amount i.e. $20. or $25. for convenience sake. Also, Walgreen's doesn't make you sign for $50., or less at least for you prescription.