AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[TiredOldFlyer]

After discussion with AMEX it appears that merchant rates are industry specific AND Merchant Specific.

 

[sjf]

Thanks for following up, greatly appreciated!

 

[whatmeworry]

Mother tried using Amex at Salera's Jewellers but was advised to use MC to avoid a surcharge.

Also accidentally used the DJ Amex at BIGW and was expecting only to get 0.75 per dollar but instead 3 per dollar.

 

[zzyss]

Also accidentally used the DJ Amex at BIGW and was expecting only to get 0.75 per dollar but instead 3 per dollar.

That's interesting. Are they being considered a "supermarket" now? Or did it appear on the statement as Woolworths Group or something?

 

[whatmeworry]

That's interesting. Are they being considered a "supermarket" now? Or did it appear on the statement as Woolworths Group or something?

Comes up as BigW. No clue why but there is a WW nearby. I guess you could do $1 spend at your regular BigW.

Participating retailers include the following merchants who have been classified as "major supermarkets": Bi-Lo, Flemings, Safeway, Woolworths, Coles, IGA, Franklins, Fishers, Fresh Provisions, Food For Less, Supabarn, Macro Wholefoods and Thomas Dux. Participating retailers include the following merchants who have been classified as "major petrol stations": BP, Shell, Caltex Woolworths, 7 Eleven, Woolworths Petrol, Safeway petrol, Peak, Mobil, Ampol and Gull. Exceptions may apply if individual retailers do not accept American Express as a form of payment.

 

[blackcat20]

JB would not negotiate on their Amex surcharge on the weekend and therefore lost an $800 sale. Instead went to DJs for the same item at the same price, no surcharge.

Dick Smith at Knox also has a 2.95% surcharge which I was surpriaed to see.

 

[N860CR]

JB would not negotiate on their Amex surcharge on the weekend and therefore lost an $800 sale. Instead went to DJs for the same item at the same price, no surcharge.

Dick Smith at Knox also has a 2.95% surcharge which I was surpriaed to see.

Or... Could have picked up $800 in JB giftcards at Wollies on 3PPD

 

[blackcat20]

Or... Could have picked up $800 in JB giftcards at Wollies on 3PPD

Yes but I was negotiating prices so couldn't just wander off to buy a card. The service in DJs was better anyway. I also don't have that sort of amex.

 

[yohy?!]

JB would not negotiate on their Amex surcharge on the weekend and therefore lost an $800 sale. Instead went to DJs for the same item at the same price, no surcharge.

Dick Smith at Knox also has a 2.95% surcharge which I was surpriaed to see.

Couldn't pull a terminal swifty to get the Amex through without them noticing?

 

[psi999]

Comes up as BigW. No clue why but there is a WW nearby. I guess you could do $1 spend at your regular BigW.

Confirmed this as well yesterday, $7 spent at BigW Brisbane CBD paid 21MR points overnight

 

[blackcat20]

Couldn't pull a terminal swifty to get the Amex through without them noticing?

Probably but nevermind. The service at DJs was better anyway and for the same price so no big deal.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

So apparently Dick Smith doesn't accept AMEX for online orders now...

Dick Smith online accepts the following forms of payment:

• Visa;
• MasterCard;
• Diners;
• Dick Smith Gift Cards
• PayPal.

Yes, you can still go via PayPal, but I'll just go elsewhere and price match with a merchant that actually wants my business... and from what I've seen, using AMEX in-store with Dick Smith would attract a surcharge. Thanks but no thanks!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I purchased jb hifi giftcards at qantaspoints.com today using amex, no surcharge and earn 2 points per $ which credited to qantas account within 24 hours. Additional earn of 1.5 points per dollar on the nab amex, all up 3.5 points per dollar. Happy with 3500 points for my $1000 purchase and no need to pay the 2.75% at JB for amex.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I've noticed that Woolworths now has 'We prefer EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard" signs at my local WW-owned service station and shows the same when buying gift cards online, although AMEX still works.

Would be interesting (and very stupid) if WW axed AMEX - I'd certainly stop shopping there (even though I usually do the gift card thing).

After all, this is the company that once blocked Visa Debit and Debit MasterCard because they were 'costing too much'..!

 

[burmans]

I've noticed that Woolworths now has 'We prefer EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard" signs at my local WW-owned service station and shows the same when buying gift cards online, although AMEX still works.

Would be interesting (and very stupid) if WW axed AMEX - I'd certainly stop shopping there (even though I usually do the gift card thing).

After all, this is the company that once blocked Visa Debit and Debit MasterCard because they were 'costing too much'..!

You suspect they wouldn't block Amex for long.

 

[whatmeworry]

Could be a tactic to lower surcharges.

 

[zzyss]

Yeah, I saw that too on the Everyday Gift Cards website just as I was about to plonk down $3.5k. Fortunately they still accepted Amex and still got 3ppd through Plat Edge.

It is somewhat worrying though. A little bit like the route NRMA went when it ended up ditching Amex...

 

[psi999]

WoW really do seem to the the king of stupid decisions within the last couple of years (in all parts of their business) so nothing would surprise me. Personally QFF pesos aren't worth anything to me any more (just burnt my last couple of hundred on CX business redemptions) so only reason i still shop with WoW is local champion / 4pt's per $.

I'd shift to Coles / Westfarmers overnight and wouldn't look back.

 

[cmon0005]

Purchased a Bottle of water last week at a cafe in Sydney, they charged me a CC surcharge of 50cents for a $3 bottle of water.. which equates to 16.5% in my calculations. Surely that is illegal to charge that high? To top it off they had a AMEX shop small sticker and sign on their counter!

 

[whatmeworry]

Purchased a Bottle of water last week at a cafe in Sydney, they charged me a CC surcharge of 50cents for a $3 bottle of water.. which equates to 16.5% in my calculations. Surely that is illegal to charge that high? To top it off they had a AMEX shop small sticker and sign on their counter!

They have to notify you somewhere they charge a surcharge on CC.