Debit card got declined at a taco stand in Austin last week

I was grabbing lunch at this hole-in-the-wall spot on South Congress and went to tap my card. The reader just beeped red three times and the guy goes "chip not working" with this look. I had $40 in my account but forgot about a Venmo charge that cleared that morning. Had to dig through my car for $8 in quarters and dimes while the line behind me grew. Anybody else deal with that awkward moment where your card fails in front of a crowd?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor_fox3d ago

Read somewhere that something like 60% of declined transactions happen because of timing issues, not actual lack of funds. The way that guy rolled his eyes though, I would've just pretended the tacos looked cold and walked off. Taco stand backup is its own special form of public shame.

dixon.amy3d ago

Sixty percent, huh? That's almost impressive enough to make me feel better about the time my card got declined at a gas station for a $3 coffee. Pretty sure the guy behind me thought I was trying to pull a heist.