From the way you are describing this, you seem distrustful of someone who walks up to you with a device, scans a barcode, shows you the price of said item which matches the tag in your hand, prints a receipt, accepts a tap as payment, let's you walk away with said item.
This flow summarizes almost every transaction I have had at Banana Republic, Gap, and the Apple Store, to name a few retailers. I have not had reason to distrust the clerk, disheveled or otherwise. Once I receive a notification from my credit card that an entity with the same name as the store has posted a transaction to my card, I walk out the door with my purchase. I have not once thought (or cared) about the store receiving the money once I am out the door.
My default is to distrust someone with nothing but what looks like a personal phone, until I'm sufficiently convinced that they are in fact who they say they are.
In every experience you describe, the device they use is not just a standard iPhone. It usually has a special case with a card scanner and reciept printer for starters. At the Apple store they wear apple badges and have branded clothing. I haven't been to the Gap in a long time, but I'm guessing they have some sort of way of identifying themselves. You even said yourself you wait for the notification that you were charged by the right entity name, which is another clue that you made a legit purchase.
I have no problem making my purchase from someone with nothing more than an iPhone, as long as there are other clues that they actually work there. But I do feel it is my responsibility as a member of society to at least attempt to verify their veracity.
I love the idea of some scammer setting up a fake POS in a store and checking out customers. They would probably try to blend in with the real staff and use legit looking gear.
- Our inventory system went down so I have to type in your total
- All set, it just automatically e-mails you the receipt
- (Who are you?) Corporate sent me, I'm in a different store everyday
