Credit card encode incomplete!

On 29.07.2018 I collected my Creditcard from the Westbank Branch. lady serving me at the desk told me i needed a recent proof of banking, I then went to my bank to get a bank statement, she then sent me back to them again because she couldn't see the 9 on the dated stamp, I did what she wanted and returned AGAIN, she then processed everything again and advised that i can use my card immediately, I went to go do some shopping and to my utter horror, the card was not accepted by the merchant's machine, it kept declining! Surely, the chips should be checked on the Creditcard before it is been issued to the client? I have wasted my time and energy not to mention my embarrassment when I could not pay for my purchase with my brand new card!!!!