Great post! ^^^
Also worth highlighting that MS is very YMMV. I have been to stores that insist on checking your "debit" card to make sure that your name is on it (multiple employees and first question they ask when you tell them that you're paying with debit card -- must be an enforced store policy), and also had employees who didn't want to split the payment. Once you find a 'good' store start slow and build relationships with employees. If there're issues with GCs have an actual debit card on standby to complete the transaction so that employees don't have to look for a manager with keys / code to void the purchase.