May I check your signature?
May I check your signature? This is a simple statement but it is such an accountable act. My wife was shopping in a small business boutique the other day and paid with a credit card. The shop owner asked to see the signature on the back of the card to ensure they matched. Having watched the owner check out multiple people, i knew this was common practice and was not a discrimatory act. She was taking extra precautions to avoid fraud. Let that sink in...
This made me think about how detrimental fraud could be to a small business. One big order could secure their revenue or better yet thier profit for a month, and one phone call reporting fraudulent charges could set them back in the red. Most credit card companies have fraud protection for the consumer, and they also have systems in place to reduce credit card fraud.
So that brings me to the customer before my wife. This customer took offense to the question and felt as if the owner slight them by asking. Even after an explanation from the owner, the customer was clearly still offended. It made me think about how that must have made the owner feel. This lady was just trying to ensure she protected herself by following one simple step alot of businesses do not perform "May I check your signature?". The customer is protected from fraud and doesn't need to think or worry about it but the business owner needed to take extra precautions to secure a profit. People should understand that if something is being checked it is probably a reason why. Just my thoughts while out and about.
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