AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[marki]

http://www.takeamex.com.au/

Is the new site to report a business that doesn't accept Amex and/or surcharges for it, a much better site!

It must be but hey advertising Amex and not using Amex hmmmmm


Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly mobile app

 

[sampson]

seems there's strife over 'no surcharge' clauses in the land of the litigious. Am I right in reading the legal stoush as saying merchants want the right to charge Surcharges because Amex won't let them charge lower prices to people who use Visa or Mcard or cash?? Chenault must be fuming he was forced by complaints to pay a zillion points to cardholders in order to 'help' merchants think that Amex was super popular all of a sudden.

Business: Washington Post Business Page, Business News

 

[sampson]

I popped up to RM Williams store and bought a pair of jeans today, and was told there is 2% surcharge for Amex since oct 2013. My first reaction in mind was what's going on? Australian icon brand even starts this as well? I think one day, all of merchants will put surcharge on AMEX and AMEX will not be welcomed in this country anymore. Very bad decision on RM Williams :evil:

The class action court cases in the US indicate merchants must be very upset with something Amex's done. Business: Washington Post Business Page, Business News. Are local merchants refusing to re-sign long term contracts, perhaps thinking that customers will go back to Mcard or Visa or cash.

 

[Mal]

On that note, I just pre-ordered a "Coin" (long story - just go to the website, http://onlycoin.com). It will be interesting to see how many merchants I will be able to "trick" into accepting Amex as if it were Visa/Master since the card is pretty much unmarked... although of course there's the risk some might not take it at all and think it's a skimmer or something

This product is dead before introduction. It won't work in Australia with Amex etc as the machine will refuse a transaction that wasn't commenced via smart card. The best you will get out of the product is a way to store loyalty cards... And that's pretty plain.

Oh wow. They now admit this on their site. An amazing change from their original statement (which I believe to be unachievable) of them supporting EMV in the future...

Q. Will my Coin work outside the U.S.?
A. Not in all cases.

U.S.-based customers: Coin will work overseas, but we recommend that you bring a backup card when you travel.

Customers located outside of the U.S.: Coin does not support chip & pin (EMV) yet. If the country you live in requires EMV for credit and debit cards, we recommend holding off your purchase for now unless you only plan to use Coin for gift, loyalty, and membership cards.

 

[zzyss]

This product is dead before introduction. It won't work in Australia with Amex etc as the machine will refuse a transaction that wasn't commenced via smart card. The best you will get out of the product is a way to store loyalty cards... And that's pretty plain.

Yeah, I'm aware of its limitations in regards to EMV. Fortunately, my most-used card is a Westpac bank-issued Amex which isn't on EMV. That, plus regularly shuffling through Coles/Woolies cards from 5% off with Entertainment Book, + bank ATM/EFTPOS card, means that this will still be a huge boon for me. A minimum of 4 cards down to 1.

I do wonder though, they constantly say that EMV is "on the roadmap" for a future version of Coin, but I don't know enough about how it works to make a judgement as to whether it is a technologically intractable problem (e.g. the banks will NEVER agree to let them get around the security to "copy" the chip contents) and they're just putting the issue off with evasive marketing-speak, or if it might actually be possible.

 

[whatmeworry]

Not on their site. but Green Light Solar charge 1.5% surcharge on CC's.

 

[desiredusername]

2008 + 5 year = 2013. Could it be that mercants are asking 'where did all the (5000 pointper 5 transaction) customers go???

AGREEMENT FOR AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD ACCEPTANCE & THE PRIVATE ROOM AMERICAN EXPRESS FOR THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY
American Express is pleased to confirm the terms for American Express Card acceptance as set out in this Agreement and the Card Acceptance Terms and Conditions:

1. Instead of the Standard Merchant Service Fee of 2.55% (excluding GST), you have chosen to accept a Reduced MSF option (as notified and subject to the conditions in our letter to you) which includes membership to The Private Room.
2. Your Reduced MSF will become effective within 30 days from enrolment in The Private Room.
3. This Agreement will take effect for a period of five (5) years from the date your Reduced MSF is activated (the "Initial Term") as per Clause 2. Either party may terminate this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term by providing 30 days written notice to the other party.
4. Your Reduced MSF and inclusion in The Private Room is offered on the basis that you choose not to differentially surcharge or dissuade/discourage American Express Cardmembers from using their Cards during the Initial Term.
   
   A 'differential surcharge' means a fee charged to an American Express Cardmember on top of the purchase or service price, which is greater than the lowest fee charged to users of other credit or charge cards.
5. If you choose to differentially surcharge American Express Cardmembers, or dissuade/discourage them from using their Cards during the Initial Term, then you agree that American Express will have the right to:
   
   a) raise your MSF to the Standard MSF (currently 2.55% excluding GST); and
   
   b) terminate your inclusion in The Private Room and any other marketing programs or benefits you have with American Express.
6. You may terminate American Express Card acceptance at any time by giving us at least 30 days notice.

 

[sampson]

It's 7.30am in Washington and the 5k/t thread says "There are currently 11 users browsing this thread. (1 members and 10 guests)". Who's looking?

 

[whatmeworry]

Went past dimmeys forges at Braybrook (formerly located at Footscray), now don't accept AMEX for time being according to a flyer at the front of the store.
Probably something to do with with current problems at Dimmeys.
Dimmeys employees to lose jobs by Monday

 

[sampson]

that's sad. maybe they can apply to work at Amex's call center .... overseas.

 

[DaveB]

STA Travel were attempting to charge either 2% for MC/Visa or 3.5% for Amex for my daughter & friend's Contiki tour. When it was pointed out we could just book direct with Contiki and not incur any charges, they quickly waived all fees.

 

[Cynicor]

STA Travel were attempting to charge either 2% for MC/Visa or 3.5% for Amex for my daughter & friend's Contiki tour. When it was pointed out we could just book direct with Contiki and not incur any charges, they quickly waived all fees.

Out of interest, why go through a middleman at all then? Or was it a case of keeping all the bookings together etc?

 

[DaveB]

Totally agree. My daughter's friend though had dealt with the agent for many years so I didn't want to rock the boat until FF points were at stake.

 

[sampson]

I pulled into a random United service station to a pump with a BIG sticker.

Visa & Mastercard are 0% surcharge, Amex was 2.2% more on this grudge purchase of a product that everyone wants a bit cheaper.

 

[prozac]

I pulled into a random United service station to a pump with a BIG sticker.

Visa & Mastercard are 0% surcharge, Amex was 2.2% more on this grudge purchase of a product that everyone wants a bit cheaper.

I notice your location is USA sampson. Are you referring to a servo here in Australia or in US?

 

[serfty]

I pulled into a random United service station to a pump with a BIG sticker.

Visa & Mastercard are 0% surcharge, Amex was 2.2% more on this grudge purchase of a product that everyone wants a bit cheaper.

I notice your location is USA sampson. Are you referring to a servo here in Australia or in US?

The two closest 'servos' to home are across the road from each other.

One is a 'Caltex/Safeway', the other 'United' - the United keeps their E10 around the same price as the Safeway Unleaded with the 4¢ litre discount. I don't mind using E10.

The United charges 2.2% fee on ALL credit card purchases - I don't buy E10 ....

 

[prozac]

The two closest 'servos' to home are across the road from each other.
....

You seem to have taken exception with my choice of descriptor serfty. Maybe I am showing my age but I like to keep these old Austalianisms alive.

 

[straitman]

The two closest 'servos' to home are across the road from each other.

One is a 'Caltex/Safeway', the other 'United' - the United keeps their E10 around the same price as the Safeway Unleaded with the 4¢ litre discount. I don't mind using E10.

The United charges 2.2% fee on ALL credit card purchases - I don't buy E10 ....

Slightly OT. I never use E anything as my local garage man says he makes a lot of money from repairing vehicles that use 'E' fuels. (Even ones that are supposedly OK)

 

[sampson]

Prozac, all fixed for you.

The sticker at the United servo definitely said zero % on V&MC, and 2.2% on Amex and Diners, Motorpass and a few others. Yes: Amex is with the junk cards.

Flickin thru the thread I noticed people ask "why the surcharge". The US case in the other thread cites Depositions by Amex VPs and there are very big differences in merchant rates between V&MC on the one hand and Amex on the other. 16 Merchants also sued Amex, and a few won $80m in damages and $27m in legal fees ie the surcharging is offsetting big losses for makin merchants pay for cardholder's free holidays (some might argue).

 

[Buzzard]

I have given up worrying about AMEX not being accepted or a higher surcharge.

My wallet contains a Visa that earns 1.5points/$1 so I just use it when I have to.