Big C asks for Passport when purchasing groceries

[ThailandRyan]

Ok, call me crazy.  Today I went shopping with the girlfriend in Rangsit at the Future Park Mall. Over the course of a few hours we shopped in Robinsons, and I showed my The1 card, and then purchased our housewares using my K-Bank debit card without any problems.  We then shopped at a few other places and again had no problems or without any questions asked of me, the cashiers just ran the card through, had me enter my PIN number and then I signed when asked.  However, and here is where I am still scratching my head, we then went and did our grocery shopping at the Big C store.

I couldn't have been more surprised at the register.  As the cashier started to scan the groceries I showed him my Big C membership card, which he scanned, called me by my name and then rang up the groceries.  However, when I handed the cashier my K-Bank debit card he said I needed to show him my passport as he needed to enter the number from it into the computer.  Of course I asked him why and his response was "you are not Thai", and then he showed me on the screen where he had to input this information.  Now I don't want to be a hard ass regarding this, but I have lived here for almost 10 years and this was the first time I was ever asked to show my passport when buying groceries.  Instead I handed him 2500 baht for the groceries, and asked for my card back.  He again insisted I needed to show him my passport, even when paying cash.  Now here is the fun part, I asked to speak to a manager and of course she came over to the register.  She told me it was now policy to ask for passport information when a foreigner is paying at the register.  I asked her when this policy started and she just stared blankly at me.  I told her that my information was in the computer and the cashier had confirmed my name after he scanned the card.  I asked her again "was my information not in the computer for my Big C card and account".  She still had this blank look on her face, like she did not understand what that had to do with the passport.  I indicated to her that my passport was used to obtain the Big C card, many years before, so they already had the information in the system.  Again more blank stares.  I now handed her the cash, and indicated I was now paying by using cash and not my K bank debit card.  She again indicated she still needed to see the passport.  Now my girlfriend, bless her wonderful soul, started a conversation with the manager, and was told that she would not have to show ID to purchase the groceries. 

Now, my girlfriend is not Thai, but she is from Myanmar and speaks perfect Thai.  So my girlfriend takes the cash from me and hands it to the cashier, and we walk out the door.  Can someone please tell me <deleted> is going on.  First Tesco/Lotus, from what has been put out on the forum, is asking for a passport in order to pay bills, and now Big C is asking for a passport to buy groceries. I am beginning to really get the feeling that foreigners are not welcomed in this country anymore.  

[Orton Rd]

They also want to see your passport when posting a birthday card ???? Never understood why Bic C need your phone number to pay utility bills.

[greeneking]

At the River Kwai Sound and Light Festival last year tickets were free.  But tourists were asked to show their passports.  Not surprisingly few people had gone out for the night with a passport.

[NE1]

Just more stupidity from " Big Brother "

 

Very predictable response from my stalker.

 

Edited February 5, 2020 by NE1

[Just Weird]

22 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

As the cashier started to scan the groceries I showed him my Big C membership card, which he scanned, called me by my name and then rang up the groceries.  However, when I handed the cashier my K-Bank debit card he said I needed to show him my passport as he needed to enter the number from it into the computer.  Of course I asked him why

It's fairly easy to deduce that it's because you were using your Big C membership card, that they want ID for, and, presumably, you get some benefit from.  Big C do not ask for passports for a straightforward cash purchase.

 

22 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

and now Big C is asking for a passport to buy groceries.

No, they're not for ordinary cash purchases.

Edited February 5, 2020 by Just Weird

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post and the reply to it.

[Susco]

One almost would start to think we are unwanted here, and they do everything to make life as difficult as possible.

 

Naah, I notice a weird Thai apologist in this thread who already claims that the ordinary groceries the OP purchased are not ordinary groceries, so I must be wrong about that we are unwanted.

[luckyluke]

I have a BigC card, in fact it is my telephone number.

Last week the cashier told me I had a 20 ThB discount, but she needed to see my passport.

As I didn't had it with me, I didn't get the discount.

[ivor bigun]

Paid for our groceries in BIG C Pattaya  the other day showed my card ,and that was it .

[CharlieH]

Doesnt bother me in the slightest as that's the wife's department. I just load and unload the trolley...????

[Just Weird]

22 minutes ago, Susco said:

One almost would start to think we are unwanted here, and they do everything to make life as difficult as possible.

 

Naah, I notice a weird Thai apologist in this thread who already claims that the ordinary groceries the OP purchased are not ordinary groceries, so I must be wrong about that we are unwanted.

"Naah, I notice a weird Thai apologist in this thread..."

I suspect you may be referring to me even though I didn't mention "ordinary groceries". I did refer to "ordinary cash purchases", though, so, yes, you are wrong, this bloke's shopping expedition confirms nothing about anyone thinking that "we are unwanted".

Edited February 5, 2020 by Just Weird

[toofarnorth]

2 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Doesnt bother me in the slightest as that's the wife's department. I just load and unload the trolley...????

Me too , oh and I pay with money , those funny things you get from an ATM machine.

[chercheur888]

As most EU passports have a combination of letters and numbers, how are they entering the letters?

[BRUFC]

24 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

It's fairly easy to deduce that it's because you were using your Big C membership card, that they want ID for, and, presumably, you get some benefit from.  Big C do not ask for passports for a straightforward cash purchase.

 

No, they're not for ordinary cash purchases.

Put your specs on mate, the OP says.....

'I now handed her the cash, and indicated I was now paying by using cash and not my K bank debit card.  She again indicated she still needed to see the passport.'

Or do you think one can make an extraordinary cash purchase at Big C?

[BobbyL]

Bizarre as usual.

 

I guess it must be to stop that really dangerous money laundering that expats are involved in, especially in terms of electrical bills at Tesco. 

[Thongkorn]

Simple answer let your wife or girlfriend use their Id card. Unless your a singleton.

Edited February 5, 2020 by Thongkorn

[Just Weird]

18 minutes ago, BRUFC said:

45 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

It's fairly easy to deduce that it's because you were using your Big C membership card, that they want ID for, and, presumably, you get some benefit from.  Big C do not ask for passports for a straightforward cash purchase.

 

No, they're not for ordinary cash purchases.

Put your specs on mate, the OP says.....

'I now handed her the cash, and indicated I was now paying by using cash and not my K bank debit card.  She again indicated she still needed to see the passport.'

Or do you think one can make an extraordinary cash purchase at Big C?

He had already handed his Big C membership card to the cashier, he did not say that he withdrew that.  Put your specs on.

 

An ordinary purchase, or normal purchase, or use any other word you like, was a reference to his paying without trying to get the benefit of the membership card that clearly required ID.  Mate.

Edited February 5, 2020 by Just Weird

[Number 6]

29 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

I have a BigC card, in fact it is my telephone number.

Last week the cashier told me I had a 20 ThB discount, but she needed to see my passport.

As I didn't had it with me, I didn't get the discount.

Myself as well. I can get a b120 discount but never have my passport. I'm going to try other ID. Cashier wouldn't even accept the picture on my phone along with five work permit

[RichardColeman]

Should have just paid the cash and walked out, what would they do ?Arrest you for inappropriately paying for groceries ? 

[EricTh]

These big organisations don't seem to have logical decision makers.

 

You are paying money to them, why the heck do they need our passport for?

 

I can understand if it is asking money from them as in a bank , then they need to know that you didn't steal other people's passbook or debit card.

 

You should pay cash next time.

Edited February 5, 2020 by EricTh

[Beggar]

As long as they don't ask you for a work permit for doing shopping... 

[CanuckThai]

Must not be a company wide policy.  I used a CDN visa cc and my BigC card last week.  BigC card was swiped before the items were scanned, cc was swiped, pin entered, left with my stash.

[NE1]

Wouldn't have gone that far , would have just left the stuff where it was.

[Matzzon]

20 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Doesnt bother me in the slightest as that's the wife's department. I just load and unload the trolley...????

Yes, same here! Some of us have all the luck. ???? 

However, I can not see anything wrong with that the shop ask for ID or Passport when using a card to pay. According to me that gives more security. I see it like all the shops not asking for legitimation is doing it wrong. If I use a card for pay in my home country, they always asks for ID.

[Andrew Dwyer]

7 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Should have just paid the cash and walked out, what would they do ?Arrest you for inappropriately paying for groceries ? 

But then you wouldn’t have a receipt and the old lady who checks folk on the way out would take you down and cuff you....... if she’s awake that is !!

[Just Weird]

9 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Should have just paid the cash and walked out, what would they do ?Arrest you for inappropriately paying for groceries ? 

Quite possibly, as he wouldn't have a receipt.

[Felt 35]

48 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

It's fairly easy to deduce that it's because you were using your Big C membership card, that they want ID for, and, presumably, you get some benefit from.  Big C do not ask for passports for a straightforward cash purchase.

 

No, they're not for ordinary cash purchases.

None as blind as they who dont want to see.

[Traubert]

27 minutes ago, chercheur888 said:

As most EU passports have a combination of letters and numbers, how are they entering the letters?

My British passport has no letters just num.........

 

Oh, wait........... ????

[Just Weird]

3 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

53 minutes ago, Just Weird said:

It's fairly easy to deduce that it's because you were using your Big C membership card, that they want ID for, and, presumably, you get some benefit from.  Big C do not ask for passports for a straightforward cash purchase.

 

No, they're not for ordinary cash purchases.

None as blind as they who dont want to see.

You mean the OP, obviously.

[Felt 35]

6 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

Yes, same here! Some of us have all the luck. ???? 

However, I can not see anything wrong with that the shop ask for ID or Passport when using a card to pay. According to me that gives more security. I see it like all the shops not asking for legitimation is doing it wrong. If I use a card for pay in my home country, they always asks for ID.

Home country demand you to show passport when paying with a Visa card??? Must be a sad home country..... could it be one nearby