Originally Posted by
JSFox
Within tourist areas there appear to be few problems but outside tourist areas where they don't often see US cards it's becoming a different story. Some merchants will refuse to take non C&P cards though most will give in if you point out that you know that's in violation of their merchant agreement.
The above statement is the guiding principle. Having lived in London there are some areas which just do not have the magnetic machines anymore. Even stores like Argos the branch inPeckham does not accept magnetic stripe but the other branch in central London does accept magnetic stripe cards.