I know of two failures in the past week for businesses who use AIB to process credit card transactions. Each failure lasted a few hours each. Very frustrating for retailers and consumers alike.
There have been ongoing problems with these cards for about 6 weeks now, but came to a head last saturday afternoon. Still some problems (with the AIB cards) but most are now being accepted.
In recessionary times cash may once again become the preferred mode of payment especially for the everyday transactions. Only today I overheard a young couple shopping, he said "go on get it if you want", she said " no, I've spent what I had and I don't want a credit card bill after Christmas".. sign of the new Ireland
Lidl were always choosy as to what cards they would accept. They are still refusing maestro only cards in some shops despite the fact that Maestro works in Lidl.
Alot of their staff don't know their own store policies as to card acceptance.