Only cash is real, that was recently the case for many people when doing their daily shopping. The reason was nationwide problems with paying with the plastic card, because the readers can no longer connect to the electronic payment systems.
But there is another alternative to cash in many supermarkets that many shoppers overlook. In the case of the large supermarket chains, payment usually also works via the in-house apps. They don’t need the currently struggling payment terminals, but handle everything by direct debit.
The process is very similar in all supermarkets. Scan your goods yourself or have it done at a classic checkout, then call up the relevant supermarket app.
A QR or PIN code is usually displayed there. Scan it yourself or type it in or let the service staff at the checkout do it for you.
In order for this to work, you always have to explicitly set up the payment function in the app and deposit your bank account, because billing is done as a SEPA direct debit. The amount to be paid will then be debited from the account.
Important: Not all branches support payment via app, so don’t blindly rely on mobile payment everywhere.
The function is currently offered by Edeka, Netto and Lidl with their apps, among others. You can also use the Payback app to make contactless payments at Rewe, dm, Alnatura, Aral and Penny.
The original of this article “Paying in the supermarket – a little-known alternative to cash, credit and EC cards” comes from chip.de.
