"I heard that a consumer coupon of 150,000 won came in, so I tried using it, but why is money being deducted from my bank account?"
On the 22nd at 12 p.m. in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, an office worker surnamed Jeong (48) ordered lunch at a Korean restaurant and attempted to pay with a check card, but money was deducted from his own bank account instead of using the 'livelihood recovery consumer coupon' points provided by the government.
The reason is the 'table order' device installed at the table. Many small business owners have installed this device to reduce labor costs as it takes orders via a tablet instead of a person and does not require a cashier at the counter. Therefore, the payment method is different from the regular card terminal, and consumer coupons cannot be used. Jeong said, "I thought that consumer coupons couldn't be used only in large meat restaurants, but it seems that the usage criteria are strict."
◇Restaurant owners with only table order devices say, 'I wanted to see an increase in sales, but it's disappointing.'
On the 22nd, the second day after the issuance of consumer coupons, actual usage began. On the 21st, 91.5% of consumer coupon applicants said they would receive consumer coupon points via credit or check cards, and on this day, they became available for use after being charged.
However, the criteria for places where consumer coupons can and cannot be used are ambiguous, causing confusion among consumers on-site. In principle, they can be used at business sites with annual sales of 3 billion won or less, but in some places that only have kiosks or table order devices, consumer coupons cannot be used. Also, even if it is a franchise brand, consumer coupons can be used at affiliated stores with annual sales of 3 billion won or less that are not directly managed.
On that day, when the reporter visited five establishments with table order devices, two could not accept consumer coupons. Such places aggregate payment information from hundreds of stores through payment agencies (PG) and then submit the data to the card company at once. This makes it impossible to distinguish whether an individual establishment has annual sales of 3 billion won or less or whether the consumer resides in that area, so they fall out of the eligibility for consumer coupon use.
Surnamed Choi (40), who operates a Korean restaurant in Mugyo-dong, Jongno-gu, noted, "Since all orders and payments are processed through an external table order operating company, it seems that consumer coupons cannot be used," adding, "I hoped this opportunity would increase sales, but it's disappointing."
At a snack shop in Myeongdong, even the employees were not aware that consumer coupons could be used for payment. Employee A stated, "You can use consumer coupons. Please pay directly," but when the reporter ordered through the table order and attempted to pay, money was deducted from the account balance. A said, "I didn't know. The criteria seem too complicated."
◇Delivery-specialized restaurant owners express, 'I'm worried about a decrease in sales.'
Consumer coupons are a policy to expand small business sales, but businesses that specialize only in delivery will find it difficult to benefit. To use consumer coupons when ordering through delivery apps, the restaurant's own card terminal must be taken by the delivery person for payment. Since most transactions are completed through the delivery app itself, in effect, consumer coupons cannot be used.
Surnamed Lee (47), who operates a delivery-specialized restaurant in Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, commented, "Most delivery orders are paid directly through the app. I have not yet received inquiries from customers asking how to use consumer coupons," adding, "I'm worried that sales may actually decrease as people are now dining out instead of ordering delivery."
◇Some Daiso stores allow consumer coupon use... 'You have to ask the staff.'
During the pandemic, disaster relief funds could be used at some small and medium-sized stores (SSM) smaller than large supermarkets. This time, consumer coupon use is restricted. Because of this, consumers faced confusion. An SSM employee B in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, said, "More than 10 people have already asked if they can use consumer coupons today."
At Starbucks, where all stores are directly managed, consumer coupons cannot be used. Employee C mentioned, "A few people have already asked, 'Can I use consumer coupons for payment?'"
Although Daiso has many directly managed stores, about 30% are franchises. Therefore, some Daiso locations allow consumer coupons to be used. When the reporter attempted to pay with consumer coupons at a Daiso in Myeongdong, Employee D stated, "This is a directly managed store, so you can't use it," adding, "There is no clear indication whether it's a directly managed or a franchised store. You need to ask the staff." Daiso has posted notices stating that consumer coupons can be used at franchise stores.