AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[Mr_Orange]

I have noticed this recently a few times when paying and the shop has the iPad looking terminal. The logo is on the screen but they shrug and say "Oh it's never accepted AmEx".

I was in Holbrook (NSW) recently and the RSL club said I was the first person ever to ask if they took AmEx. I put that down to some sort of wacky country humour.

Do you mean the CBA terminal? If so, yes, I agree it is annoying that it has the Amex logo on screen but then the business does not accept Amex.

 

[MikeeB]

I was recently out for lunch with the extended family for my Grandmother's 80th birthday. The establishment had the CBA ipad looking terminal, tapped the Amex and it went through fine. When I went to pay for the second round the barman (a different one this time) said they do not take Amex. I told him that's strange as there was no problem tapping it previously. With that he said that they are not 'supposed' to take Amex, obviously it's an instruction from management as the fees are higher. Tsk Tsk, I told him it was the only card I had on me and he reluctantly tapped it again.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I was recently out for lunch with the extended family for my Grandmother's 80th birthday. The establishment had the CBA ipad looking terminal, tapped the Amex and it went through fine. When I went to pay for the second round the barman (a different one this time) said they do not take Amex. I told him that's strange as there was no problem tapping it previously. With that he said that they are not 'supposed' to take Amex, obviously it's an instruction from management as the fees are higher. Tsk Tsk, I told him it was the only card I had on me and he reluctantly tapped it again.

That's another tactic that gets up my nose. I recently discovered that my dentist takes Amex but the receptionist has been told to say that they don't. It was the receptionist that told me this when I queried the lack of Amex last time I was in there.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Walked out of a local BP recently because they'd introduced a $5 credit card minimum (all card types) and I was only buying the paper.

Went there for the sole purpose of double-dipping with Velocity points + AMEX points, so wasn't about to suddenly pay cash as I could have done that somewhere more convenient at the same price.

Told them "it's kind of stupid that you'd rather have no money than some money, given that your credit card fees would be percentage-based anyway and there's nobody else here buying things", and they just shrugged, so I left the paper on the counter and walked out.

Seemed to be a franchise operation - can't say I've returned to that particular location since, given that there are about 5 other BPs near my house, work and gym (or in between), and the others have no issue accepting cards (and AMEX) for any amount.

 

[docjames]

What they said. Amex logo displayed, not accepted as form of payment.

Have tweeted pic to AmexAU and reply received (not right and passed on to merchant team)

 

[Happy Dude]

Do you mean the CBA terminal? If so, yes, I agree it is annoying that it has the Amex logo on screen but then the business does not accept Amex.

I vaguely recollect the CBA symbol but not entirely sure in all cases. I do groan when I see the iPad though. Sometimes they let me try the AmEx anyway and it doesn't always go through despite the logo on the screen.

Fibbing about not accepting AmEx is just not cricket.

 

[coriander]

Our new merchant rate with American Express is dropping to 1.5% in a few days time. It was much higher previously.

Yep, we had visit from Amex people telling us we'd dropped from 1.51% (small business rate) to 1.5% as of 1 July with the promise of further drops later in the year.

In South Melbourne, a new "disruptive" technology, Square, has popped up at a couple of merchants (Ox the Baker, Clement coffee) so they now offer Amex as well as Visa and Mastercard by default. Square is a flat 1.9% for all cards (not DC) with no other fees (2.2% if you have to key in details) and plugs into a ismartphone or itablet with access to the net. My wife and son who are CBD workers tell me this device is popping up in a lot of coffee shops and takeaways because it's so easy to use.

So if you see this little character on the counter, pull out your Amex.



I must do my due diligence for my workplace as this may be cheaper than the monthly fees my bank charges for the EFT machine and account on top of the merchant rates.

 

[coriander]

I vaguely recollect the CBA symbol but not entirely sure in all cases. I do groan when I see Albert the iPad though..

There is an issue with Albert and Amex - we've been looking at our EFT machines and service as our NAB cordless is prone to "rebooting" or dropping out at our busiest times. CBA rep said that activating Amex on Albert is sometimes a "challenge".

 

[DeKa]

There is an issue with Albert and Amex - we've been looking at our EFT machines and service as our NAB cordless is prone to "rebooting" or dropping out at our busiest times. CBA rep said that activating Amex on Albert is sometimes a "challenge".

An Albert at a cafe I go to who do accept Amex often has issues with processing Amex - the transaction appears to time out.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

With that he said that they are not 'supposed' to take Amex, obviously it's an instruction from management as the fees are higher.

I recently discovered that my dentist takes Amex but the receptionist has been told to say that they don't.

I've ran into this at newsagents.

As Yoda would say, "Do or do not. Now my Amex take before your manager I call."

 

[daft009]

Yep, we had visit from Amex people telling us we'd dropped from 1.51% (small business rate) to 1.5% as of 1 July with the promise of further drops later in the year.

In South Melbourne, a new "disruptive" technology, Square, has popped up at a couple of merchants (Ox the Baker, Clement coffee) so they now offer Amex as well as Visa and Mastercard by default. Square is a flat 1.9% for all cards (not DC) with no other fees (2.2% if you have to key in details) and plugs into a ismartphone or itablet with access to the net. My wife and son who are CBD workers tell me this device is popping up in a lot of coffee shops and takeaways because it's so easy to use.

So if you see this little character on the counter, pull out your Amex.


I must do my due diligence for my workplace as this may be cheaper than the monthly fees my bank charges for the EFT machine and account on top of the merchant rates.

Have a look in the referrals section on here, a few of us have a square and we all get some surcharge free transactions for referring.

I applied to amex direct for a merchant account, got the forms & it took me a while to get them filled in (busy with work), amex was calling me twice a week chasing me to send them in.
finally I got around to it and then not a peep, I followed up with them 5-6 times and no response from their merchant team.

in the end I went & got a square dongle from officeworks, setup in 5min!

 

[SOPOOR]

I wonder what the legalities of a shop having the Amex logo and then refusing. And then if you said that that's the only card you have an No cash. I guess you would have to give the goods back as if you walked out it's theft.

But what about if it was a service such as food or a massage. You can't return that.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I wonder what the legalities of a shop having the Amex logo and then refusing. And then if you said that that's the only card you have an No cash. I guess you would have to give the goods back as if you walked out it's theft.

But what about if it was a service such as food or a massage. You can't return that.

My response would be "I chose to shop at this business based on the payment methods you chose to advertise before entering into the transaction, which included American Express. I remain willing to pay for my bill using American Express, being a payment method you advocated as available for this purchase before this transaction was entered into. The fact that you are not in a position to accept that payment is not my responsibility - and the fact that you've gained my business (and likely the business of many others) by making false and misleading claims is a matter that I can refer to the ACCC. Again, I am more than happy to settle my bill using AMEX, a payment method you advertise as accepting. If you cannot process this payment, I'm happy to pay you by PayPal or RewardPay - which can be funded by AMEX - but you'll be covering the processing fee."

(The 'transaction' being an exchange of goods services for money at the advertised price.)

Have taken a similar approach at restaurants that get you through the door by having a large "AMEX CARDS WELCOME" sign on the front door, make no mention of an AMEX surcharge on the menu and then attempt to add one when you pay - although that discussion is much briefer as a simple "you did not lawfully disclosed the surcharge before the transaction was entered into, so you cannot legally require that I pay it, and I won't be".

 

[EestiTiger]

Have taken a similar approach at restaurants that get you through the door by having a large "AMEX CARDS WELCOME" sign on the front door, make no mention of an AMEX surcharge on the menu and then attempt to add one when you pay - although that discussion is much briefer as a simple "you did not lawfully disclosed the surcharge before the transaction was entered into, so you cannot legally require that I pay it, and I won't be".

I need to file this away for future reference

 

[SOPOOR]

My response would be "I chose to shop at this business based on the payment methods you chose to advertise before entering into the transaction, which included American Express. I remain willing to pay for my bill using American Express, being a payment method you advocated as available for this purchase before this transaction was entered into. The fact that you are not in a position to accept that payment is not my responsibility - and the fact that you've gained my business (and likely the business of many others) by making false and misleading claims is a matter that I can refer to the ACCC. Again, I am more than happy to settle my bill using AMEX, a payment method you advertise as accepting. If you cannot process this payment, I'm happy to pay you by PayPal or RewardPay - which can be funded by AMEX - but you'll be covering the processing fee."

(The 'transaction' being an exchange of goods services for money at the advertised price.)

Have taken a similar approach at restaurants that get you through the door by having a large "AMEX CARDS WELCOME" sign on the front door, make no mention of an AMEX surcharge on the menu and then attempt to add one when you pay - although that discussion is much briefer as a simple "you did not lawfully disclosed the surcharge before the transaction was entered into, so you cannot legally require that I pay it, and I won't be".

Displaying an Amex logo and then not accepting it surely breaches some kind of law or trade practices act but I can't see not indicating the surcharge as illegal or against some act.

I reckon 80 percent of places only mention surcharge when you go and pay.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Displaying an Amex logo and then not accepting it surely breaches some kind of law or trade practices act but I can't see not indicating the surcharge as illegal or against some act.

I reckon 80 percent of places only mention surcharge when you go and pay.

Very true. Occasionally, I have refused to pay the surcharge when it has been sprung on me but unfortunately I just accept it most of the time. My resolve is now stronger!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Displaying an Amex logo and then not accepting it surely breaches some kind of law or trade practices act but I can't see not indicating the surcharge as illegal or against some act.

I reckon 80 percent of places only mention surcharge when you go and pay.

I've seen guidance issued by the ACCC that specifically mentions that surcharges must be disclosed before a transaction/contract is entered into, with specific examples of including them on a menu at a restaurant and on the pump at a petrol station, so that you're aware of the price and any applicable fees before you enter into an unwritten contract that you can't exactly walk away from.

Different in retail stores which have the signs at the cash register because you can still choose to abandon the purchase, but you can't do that if the goods have already been consumed or the service received.

 

[FrequentFlyer85]

I've seen guidance issued by the ACCC that specifically mentions that surcharges must be disclosed before a transaction/contract is entered into, with specific examples of including them on a menu at a restaurant and on the pump at a petrol station, so that you're aware of the price and any applicable fees before you enter into an unwritten contract that you can't exactly walk away from.

Different in retail stores which have the signs at the cash register because you can still choose to abandon the purchase, but you can't do that if the goods have already been consumed or the service received.

"Under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act), a failure to adequately disclose surcharges, or creating the impression that surcharges do not apply, may be misleading or deceptive."

asic.gov.au/about-asic/media-centre/find-a-media-release/2014-releases/14-204mr-asic-acts-to-ensure-better-disclosure-by-aldi-of-credit-card-and-contactless-payment-surcharges/

 

[whatmeworry]

My local IGA has gone into administration and for whatever reason not accepting AMEX. Dimmeys had a similar problem a year or so ago but now accepts AMEX AGAIN.

https://www316.americanexpress.com/...nzlead_en_AU&evtsrc=link&evttype=0&country=AU

Tried again today by hiding the AMEX logo on my CC. Machine said card not accepted. Veteran checkout chick said AMEX not accepted because the store was in administration. Told her how AMEX fees are almost as low as MC/VISA now. Must be a negotiation tactic by the administrators.

 

[perthjay85]

Tried again today by hiding the AMEX logo on my CC. Machine said card not accepted. Veteran checkout chick said AMEX not accepted because the store was in administration. Told her how AMEX fees are almost as low as MC/VISA now. Must be a negotiation tactic by the administrators.

Our visa /mastercard is 0.75%
Our Amex is 1.95%

You can't assume what a retailer is paying fee wise.

We weren't even invited into the American express shop local promotion recently.