Jay Honeck wrote:

And you'd be astounded -- no, scared -- to know how many people's credit
cards come back "declined" on a preauthorization of less than $100. There
are millions of people out there running around with their credit cards
maxed out, living on the ragged edge of bankruptcy.

There could be any number of reasons for a decline, Jay. You, as a
merchant, are not privy to the reason for the decline.

As a business traveler, I once had a rental car agency accidentally
authorize my card for $25,000, instead of $250. and the credit card company
(Amex) would not authorize any additional charges until they had either a)
the legitimate charge come through, or b) an explanation for the this
incredibly high authorization request. This was brought to my attention by
a "decline" at a hotel merchant.

A decline also occurs when a consumer receives a new card with a new
expiration date, and activates this card but forgets to put the new one in
his wallet. Lived that one, too.

For you to make that wild-assed assumption about millions of people based
on eight little letters (or the equivalent numeric code).... sheesh.

--
Peter