AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[hossein_au]

Its 5% now. At least in Victoria

It used to be 10% in Melbourne a couple of years ago when I used to live there. And it was 10% in ACT last time I took a cab a few months ago. I'll double-check next time I get a cab.

 

[Chicken]

It used to be 10% in Melbourne a couple of years ago

Both VIC and NSW two state governments had legislated to bring this down in 2014

New South Wales joins Victoria in cutting taxi surcharges

 

[hossein_au]

Both VIC and NSW two state governments had legislated to bring this down in 2014

New South Wales joins Victoria in cutting taxi surcharges

Cool; even though 5% is still ridiculously high, I hope it spreads to all the states and territories.

 

[OzEire]

Cool; even though 5% is still ridiculously high, I hope it spreads to all the states and territories.

Why, if forcing the taxis to cut the excessive 10% surcharge, did NSW and Vic allow 5% as a compromise ? A figure that is STILL excessive.

Ps. ACT taxis are still 10%.

(And don't get me started on airport extra fees).

 

[hossein_au]

Why, if forcing the taxis to cut the excessive 10% surcharge, did NSW and Vic allow 5% as a compromise ? A figure that is STILL excessive.

Ps. ACT taxis are still 10%.

(And don't get me started on airport extra fees).

I think I also made it clear I believe it is still way too high, but I was making a point that going from 10% to 5% is a good start. Additionally I don't give a cough about Cabcharge complaining they will lose $40 millions because of this regulation, this is the money they should have never allowed to have.

 

[Keith009]

10% surcharge at a restaurant (Embassy XO) on Sunshine Beach!!:shock:

 

[bismarck]

10% surcharge at a restaurant (Embassy XO) on Sunshine Beach!!:shock:

Ouch! Report them to Amex (and potentially the ACCC.....surely that's gouging and doesn't represent the cost of accepting the payment!)

:shock:

 

[OzEire]

I think I also made it clear I believe it is still way too high, but I was making a point that going from 10% to 5% is a good start. Additionally I don't give a cough about Cabcharge complaining they will lose $40 millions because of this regulation, this is the money they should have never allowed to have.

Not disagreeing with you HosseinAU, i wholeheartedly agree that 5% is way too high. I just thought the Vic and NSW govts missed a chance to get it right.

 

[Princess Fiona]

10% surcharge at a restaurant (Embassy XO) on Sunshine Beach!!:shock:

I love that restaurant :shock: :!:
That's outrageous

 

[moa999]

I think I also made it clear I believe it is still way too high, but I was making a point that going from 10% to 5% is a good start. Additionally I don't give a cough about Cabcharge complaining they will lose $40 millions because of this regulation, this is the money they should have never allowed to have.

I think you need to look at the history here.

When cabcharge started it was paper dockets and it was a massive logistical exercise plus lot of fraud - I suspect 10% was reasonable

Then when they first rolled out the terminals they weren't cheap and neither were the mobile data links - again 10% was reasonable

But over time their operating costs and equipment costs fell. But they effectively had a monopoly, so why would you voluntarily cut your margins - just not what companies do.

Gradually the competitors arrived paying their % kickbacks to drivers but I suspect Cabcharge figured it would do better holding at 10% with say 70% market share versus cutting to 5% and stopping the competition (also may have faced complaints of predatory pricing as absurd as that sounds)

 

[SeatBackForward]

I think you need to look at the history here.

When cabcharge started it was paper dockets and it was a massive logistical exercise plus lot of fraud - I suspect 10% was reasonable

Then when they first rolled out the terminals they weren't cheap and neither were the mobile data links - again 10% was reasonable

But over time their operating costs and equipment costs fell. But they effectively had a monopoly, so why would you voluntarily cut your margins - just not what companies do.

Gradually the competitors arrived paying their % kickbacks to drivers but I suspect Cabcharge figured it would do better holding at 10% with say 70% market share versus cutting to 5% and stopping the competition (also may have faced complaints of predatory pricing as absurd as that sounds)

My heart bleeds for cabcharge. Dinosaurs become extinct....

 

[albyd]

As cabbies no longer have unique technology (ie mobile eftpos machines) I can't see how they can continue to justify outsized surcharges to accept general purpose credit cards. Cost of acceptance is just a cost of doing business & certainly safer & cheaper for cabbies than getting robbed. I don't have a problem with a 10% surcharge on cabcharge issued cards - it's their product so charge what they want - their funeral if they want to treat their customers poorly.

 

[hossein_au]

I think you need to look at the history here.

When cabcharge started it was paper dockets and it was a massive logistical exercise plus lot of fraud - I suspect 10% was reasonable

Then when they first rolled out the terminals they weren't cheap and neither were the mobile data links - again 10% was reasonable

But over time their operating costs and equipment costs fell. But they effectively had a monopoly, so why would you voluntarily cut your margins - just not what companies do.

Gradually the competitors arrived paying their % kickbacks to drivers but I suspect Cabcharge figured it would do better holding at 10% with say 70% market share versus cutting to 5% and stopping the competition (also may have faced complaints of predatory pricing as absurd as that sounds)

I had never heard of 10% surcharge in the 80s and 90s when BankCards were the norm and it was all done manually. We are talking this side of millennia and they still feel it is a sound business decision to charge 10% for a service that is fully automated and costs them way less than 1%, and with competition around? Well, they must have gone to a different business school than I did.

 

[burmans]

On a positive note, Harris Farm which did not use to accept Amex now does, that's 500-600 spend a month for me. Finally some positive news!

 

[phamid]

Lynn Shanghai Cuisine - Sydney. 3% Surcharge. Failure to mention it on their menus and signage.

I complained, mentioning they're required to have this showing before I enter, initially, they said they wanted another card, then they would accept my Amex. I forced their hand to accept it. I called Amex shortly after, who are now investigating.

Also, they had plenty of Amex collateral (like Bill folders, welcome signage, stickers, etc). They would have also gotten a nice merchant rate from Amex and they're still passing it onto the customer! Two bites of the cherry isn't fair to cardholder or Amex.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Just had a similar experience at a restaurant last night "Amex Welcome" on the front door, Amex bill holders and more "Amex Welcome" signage at the till. They did however advise on their menu that Amex would attract a 3% surcharge. This still annoys me though, either you "Welcome Amex" (No Surcharge) or you "accept it"in which case you should not use their merchandise in my opinion.

Lynn Shanghai Cuisine - Sydney. 3% Surcharge. Failure to mention it on their menus and signage.

I complained, mentioning they're required to have this showing before I enter, initially, they said they wanted another card, then they would accept my Amex. I forced their hand to accept it. I called Amex shortly after, who are now investigating.

Also, they had plenty of Amex collateral (like Bill folders, welcome signage, stickers, etc). They would have also gotten a nice merchant rate from Amex and they're still passing it onto the customer! Two bites of the cherry isn't fair to cardholder or Amex.

 

[burmans]

Just had a similar experience at a restaurant last night "Amex Welcome" on the front door, Amex bill holders and more "Amex Welcome" signage at the till. They did however advise on their menu that Amex would attract a 3% surcharge. This still annoys me though, either you "Welcome Amex" (No Surcharge) or you "accept it"in which case you should not use their merchandise in my opinion.

Lots of places are welcoming of people paying more than they need to!

 

[cmon0005]

Just had a similar experience at a restaurant last night "Amex Welcome" on the front door, Amex bill holders and more "Amex Welcome" signage at the till. They did however advise on their menu that Amex would attract a 3% surcharge. This still annoys me though, either you "Welcome Amex" (No Surcharge) or you "accept it"in which case you should not use their merchandise in my opinion.

Just out of curiosity does anyone know if restaurants who are amex merchants automatically get amex bill holders, do they buy them or are they only given to merchants to win business?

 

[A330]

Just out of curiosity does anyone know if restaurants who are amex merchants automatically get amex bill holders, do they buy them or are they only given to merchants to win business?

Amex gives them out for free.
I remember a restaurant that was using the amex stuff and didn't even accept amex! Their excuse for using it was that "amex sent it to us so we just used it".
Needless to say I haven't been back.

 

[Moopere]

Yes, using the folders but not accepting the card is extremely common in my experience. Can't easily count the number of times I've had my Amex returned to me inside the Amex folder by the waiter with "We don't accept Amex" comment .... some of the restaurants are aware enough to actually cut out the little square amex label from the folder .. you have to laugh.