About two weeks ago, I went to a trade show and bought a $4,500 item using my credit card (as you do!) They didn’t have an electronic terminal; the order was processed on a paper-based order form which I signed.

Anxiously waiting for the goods to arrive, I called the supplier today to find out what was going on.

“Ah, Mr Yuille; we couldn’t process your order because there was an error with your card.”

“Oh” I replied; “What was the error?”

“We don’t have the card’s expiry date.”

“Why didn’t you call me; you have my phone number?”

I gave them the number and just 30 minutes later, an order confirmation arrived by email along with the shipping details.

Why didn’t they call me I wonder…