Debit or Credit - Fast or Free?

I almost always use the self checkout at Wal-Mart.  I don't know why exactly I think I can do that job faster and more efficiently than the people who wear the blue vests, but I do.  I'm thinking it is the shorter lines that lure me in.  I really am very impatient, especially with the whole shopping thing.  I am just not into shopping for shopping's sake.  I want to get in, get my stuff, and get the heck out!

So, anyway, I have been using the self checkout almost exclusively for years.  I totally know the drill.  How to push on the surface under the bags when you purchase an item that weighs almost nothing, to tell the computer that you have "placed it in the bag", etc.  I am not new to the whole dealio.

The other day I had like 2 things, and I was in a hurry.  I am standing there patiently, or not so patiently, waiting my turn.  The guy in front of me is buying a giant bag of rice, and the machine is giving him trouble with his card.  I'm thinking how sad it is that the guy is out of cash and can't afford to buy his bag of rice.  He does it a couple of times, still won't go through, and then the Grandma with a name tag walks over to help. Now I'm thinking, "What the heck is she gonna do to help?  I should switch lines".  But switching lines is usually a tactical error of the gravest sort. As soon as you switch lines, you are doomed. You might never get to checkout.

Finally the guy finds a card that works, and he leaves to feed an army with his rice.   He didn't bag it, it wouldn't fit, so Grandma had to authorize that deviation before he could go ...  There are somethings that you just shouldn't take through the self checkout, giant bags of rice, or giant bags of anything for that matter, are one of them.

Ok, I'm up.  Finally, my turn.  This is going to be quick, I'm a pro.  No giant bags, untagged items,  overweight, underweight, or otherwise troublesome items in my cart.  Ok, go ... all rang up, ready to pay, slide the same Hawaiian Miles debit card I always do, select "credit" so I can rack up those frequent flyer miles.  Please enter your PIN - I don't want to enter my PIN, I want to use it as a credit.  Transaction declined.  WHAT??????  I just deposited a fat wad of cash into that account.  What do you mean, transaction declined???  CANCEL ...  Let's try this again ...

So, after a couple failed attempts, and finally stopping to read the text on the blurry little screen, I figure out what is going on.  Wal-Mart no longer allows you to use your debit card as a credit card in the self checkout line.  Apparently this is for my own protection, so if someone steals my card they can't make purchases.  I supposed I get it - in the self checkout it isn't practical to show your photo idea for a credit card purchase.  If they had a person checking all the ID's it wouldn't really be a self checkout any more would it? 

After Wal-Mart I pulled into the nearest gas station to fill up my tank. Guess what??  SAME THING!!!  I now have to use my card as a debit, with the pin and WITHOUT earning any miles, OR go in, stand in that dang line, talk to the cashier, have her run my card, look at my ID, and sign the paper. I really prefer to slide my card, fill it up, and drive away without any time wasted standing in line.

Credit card theft is a bad thing.  I am fortunate not to have experienced it first had.  The companies are just trying to protect us from all that.,I get it, but it still annoys me. I've been using this method of payment, in just this way for years without a hitch.  Now I am forced to reevaluate my strategy.  Is it more important to earn those free miles, or to get through the line faster?   I don't know yet, I'm going to have to think about this one.