Card Acceptance - Getting worse?

[arthur-ceccotti]

This is kind of related:

Why some shops “don’t take Monzo” ️💳️

You are on a quick visit to the tourist shop, as you plan to buy your grandma a cute lucky-charm for Christmas. After waiting on a London-style queue, you whip out the hot coral to pay at the til. As always with contactless, you tap and walk away. *1 But wait! As you are happily walking out of the shop, you see a member of staff chasing you like you are in League 1 Rugby. - “Excuse me, your payment was declined” *2 Embarrassment level: it’s over…