I recently dined at a restaurant on John Street in Toronto. I do have a habit to pay with my credit card. I usually get up from the table to pay the bill instead of giving the credit card to the waiter. So this time I did the same.

I have to say I was surprised as I looked at them swipe my card on a PC that was sitting there and than swipe it again at the bank terminal device beside it. They did not think anything of it and when I asked them why they are swiping it twice, they said it is their regular process. I asked for a manager and he had the same explanation. He also gave me the head office contact I can call which I did. After 30 minutes of explaining what my concern is and him trying to tell me that every merchant is doing the same thing, I told him I am going to call Visa to see what their policy with regards to this is. He than told me that the reason for it is that their PC software is not up to date and that they can not update it now ($$$). My last question to him was if I go there next time and refuse to have my card scanned twice, will I still be able to pay with it? The answer was no.

So, what do you guys and girls thing, is this me or is something fishy going on here?