Hi Crunchie
Your a bit more understanding on this matter than I would be, having been embarrissed in a couple of stores / restuarants over the years, due to the way Tesco Visa conduct their business .... ie "security checks", with large queues forming behind me while I wait at the mercy of the "Gods" for my card to be authorised (I dont have credit problems btw, - thankfully)
Regarding the phonelines, what I cannot understand is why they simply don't leve the automated service on 24/7 ... it would be very helpful for customers, simply to check balances etc etc
cheers
G>