What do you think of them?
My experience has been that it takes longer time to complete a transaction.
Each store seems to handle these new cards differently.
A lot of places still ask me to swipe the card so I have to tell them I have a card with a chip and see how I need to use their credit card reader. I know these are supposed to be more secure but the transition has been a challenge since not all stores have transitioned to the new way of doing things.
I agree. And then someone removes the card before the transaction is complete and crashes the system. Some places I just a debit card because it’s easier. But recently got new debit card with chip.
A cashier at Costco told us that it takes on average 30 seconds longer per customer to process a transaction. To a merchant, that is a big deal.
Was in JoAnn Fabrics recently and their chip reader was really fast. I commented to the clerk and she said it was because they have the latest software, and that once everyone else has the better software they will have faster readers. Be patient, it’s still new.
Yes, our new Costco card has a chip like BB said. It does take longer. Several stores in our area have the readers but they aren’t ready yet, so there’s tape over the slot so you can’t insert a card. Thirty seconds would be huge for a store like Costco. It seems like they work really hard to get customers through the line fast.
The “30 seconds on average” includes folks who yank the card too early, etc. Customers need to get used to the system, too.
I’ve used them extensively in Europe, where the transactions typically process much faster than they do here. They’ve had many more years of experience at this than we have, so the whole system is probably more fine-tuned there.
Here’s hoping we soon get the US chip-readers refined to a similar level of speed and efficiency.
We’ve had chip CC cards in Canada for close to ten years and have used them without any problem. I don’t know anyone here who doesn’t have a chip card. My experience with them in the U.S. is that they do take longer so it’s likely that the hardware and software are different. The speed of people using them will improve the more they use them. Seriously, it isn’t an issue. If it’s truly taking 30 seconds longer per transaction per customer, which I very much doubt, then the blame is likely with the cashier and the customer, not the system.
Alwaysamom, the current version of the software some stores are using is also a part of the problem. At Nordstrom, once the system asks for the card to be inserted, it could take 5-10 seconds for the signature screen to appear, and then another 5 seconds for the transaction to go through. Only then the card can be removed, but many customers who got used to a quick swipe, pull the card out too quickly. Then the whole fun has to start over…
I am happy that more and more stores are getting the chip readers. I don’t mind waiting a few seconds longer.
Why is there a signature screen? A signature is not necessary with a chip card.
Yes, in the US, it is needed.
@alwaysamom The US adopted the Chip+Signature system instead of the Chip+PIN system used successfully everywhere else. It’s ridiculous, especially since if we’d gone with the PIN system we probably could have used the existing tech already in use in Canada and Europe. But it is what it is.
I have used a chip credit card and have had to provide a signature on the screen too…such as at Whole Foods.
Supposedly banks do not want PINs on CCs in the US because it will slow transactions down even more.
There would be so much less credit card fraud with a PIN.
When I use my chip DEBIT card, then I have to enter a pin.
The Target credit card uses a pin.
Those poor Americans who are incapable of paying for their purchases as easily as those in other countries. 
Using a debit card is the least secure way to pay, IMO.
Only a few places in Europe could not process US chip plus signature cards, usually, automated kiosks. Most had the option of a signature screen. So it is not one or the other…