AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[lovestotravel]

Most Amex merchant fees are around 2% now so the difference is about 1% between VI/MC & Amex.

Anyone that has an Amex will have a VI/MC for places that don't accept Amex

Most companies are not going to discount more for cash these days I have found. They are happy just to make a sale.

If a shop doesn't accept Amex I won't visit there again, I'll report them to Amex and if they choose not to accept it after that I send my email and never visit them again :mrgreen:

$5 per point ..... :shock: Ummm no


What I did find interesting last night was that the other 3 restaurants next door to the restaurant that I reported to Amex, now accept Amex when they didn't beforehand. :mrgreen::mrgreen: I had never visited them but now I will simply as they accept my desired method of payment. I can only assume that the sales rep when visiting decided to venture into the other restaurants next door when he/she saw the VI/MC stickers on the door but not the pretty blue Amex sticker.

 

[Mal]

I'm getting fairly sick of retailers trotting out their usual:

"We only reluctantly accept Amex".
"We surcharge 3% for Amex because that's what they charge us"

etc etc comments. So if they're not currently surcharging Visa/MC, then why are they charging the full Amex charge rather than a subsidised one (Amex Cost - Visa/MC Cost)

 

[Diesellife]

I also hate those shops that sell products at RRP and yet don't accept AMEX or surcharge.

They failed to realise that they are in a competitive market!

1 - 2 % loss on transaction fee VS. not returning customers... I wonder which one is more important...

 

[lovestotravel]

I also hate those shops that sell products at RRP and yet don't accept AMEX or surcharge.

They failed to realise that they are in a competitive market!

1 - 2 % loss on transaction fee VS. not returning customers... I wonder which one is more important...

As always, most shops always think that people will simply pay via cash/EFTPOS/Other credit card if they don't accept Amex. As a result they don't really care.

Hence why I attempt to email or talk to the owner of the shop if they don't accept Amex or refuse to accept it even after Amex talk to them. I make it very clear that I will never return.

As I have switched my health insurance to a fund that accepts Amex (NIB) the only transaction that get's charged to Visa is the water bill, as they don't accept Amex and you can't change water providers!

:mrgreen:

 

[Diesellife]

Last time I shopped at a local store, they refused to take my Amex and said the terminal was down.

Then I pulled out my business cheque book (asking cash / payee, negotiable or not etc)...at the end they swiped my amex instead and it worked...

 

[JohnK]

As always, most shops always think that people will simply pay via cash/EFTPOS/Other credit card if they don't accept Amex. As a result they don't really care.

The reason that shop owners don't care is that most people will use another form of payment if the shop does not accept Amex.

 

[ejb]

The reason that shop owners don't care is that most people will use another form of payment if the shop does not accept Amex.

Then we as a community must change their ways John.

I will use another form of payment but will not return as I can always find somewhere that will take Amex in the future. I explain to the shop owner that by refusing Amex they are rejecting my custom.

ejb

 

[koonyaflyer]

The reason that shop owners don't care is that most people will use another form of payment if the shop does not accept Amex.

Ahh...but the question is will they go back to the same shop again, or will the simply complete the transaction and look for an alternative next time.

It has to be very unique for me to go back to a Shop/Restaurant etc a second time if they do not accept, and reading this thread I think there are a number like me.

 

[lovestotravel]

Ahh...but the question is will they go back to the same shop again, or will the simply complete the transaction and look for an alternative next time.

It has to be very unique for me to go back to a Shop/Restaurant etc a second time if they do not accept, and reading this thread I think there are a number like me.

Unfortunately most people don't really care as much as a few of us on here...

Lots of corporates can/will only go to a coffee shop/cafe that accepts Amex as that's how they charge it back to the company.

As I said above, I will visit the shop/restaurant once (if at all) and never go back until they accept Amex. I will report them on the website to Amex, but I would have honestly reported over 300 merchants and only 5 have decided to accept Amex after being "reported". So not a very good conversion rate. I have spoken to numerous shop owners and they always trot out the usual
"Not many customers want to pay via Amex" - My response then accepting it wouldn't cost you that much then ?
"People always happy to pay via another method, we accept VI/MC" - I think you know what I tell them on this point
"Amex merchant fees are too high" - Yeh an extra 1%.... If you are struggling that much then simply add the fee to transctions. I am more than happy to pay a few% to use Amex.
Etc Etc

99% of the time I will base my spending on IF the shop/restaurant accepts Amex.

Always on the look out for the blue sign and/or will ask first before sitting down to a meal. There is nearly always another very similar restaurant around the corner that will happily take my Amex card with a very similar priced meal.

I generally eat out twice a week and for 2 people that's anywhere between $50-$200 depending on the occasion. So lets average it at $75 per transaction.

Over a year that is 11,700 Amex points, instead of 3900 Visa points.

7800 points = $600+ of value to me for sticking with Amex restaurants.

Of course this follows in all other areas such as bills, furniture etc etc.

:mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Then we as a community must change their ways John.

Most people look at me funny and totally disinterested when I tell them about my points collecting habits.

I will use another form of payment but will not return as I can always find somewhere that will take Amex in the future. I explain to the shop owner that by refusing Amex they are rejecting my custom.

Ahh...but the question is will they go back to the same shop again, or will the simply complete the transaction and look for an alternative next time.

True. Points collectors will look for stores that accept their favourite flavoured card even if it means walking or driving further than is necessary.

Normal people look for cheapest and then simplicity in their shopping rituals. Form of payment is not relevant.

 

[wxxnxs]

The reason that shop owners don't care is that most people will use another form of payment if the shop does not accept Amex.

Agree, I am probably is one of those most people. I went shopping today and one shop I asked do you take credit card, the answer was yes BUT not AMEX. Well, I used my M card instead, and yes next time I probably won't go into that shop again but from the owner side, it will keep refusing to take AMEX as most people can always find another way to pay.

"lovestotravel" is a credit card person and he will obviously try to max his points as many as possible. I'm a cash person, I would rather get cash discount than points, unfortunately this kinds of thing seems impossible here.

 

[farstar]

Agree, I am probably is one of those most people. I went shopping today and one shop I asked do you take credit card, the answer was yes BUT not AMEX.

Did you tell the shop owner you were not coming back? If not then he would just assume next time you would use the other card.

 

[deft]

Factorie Homebush DFO charges a whopping 3% for AMEX.
Colorado, Converse, Timberland at Homebush DFO = no surcharge.

 

[qwsoftware]

I was in US last month - it was so nice that I didn't have to ask everyone if they accept it. If they accepted credit cards, Amex would be accepted and no surcharge.

Would be nice if Australia was like that one day. Would be then worth the annual fee.

 

[lovestotravel]

One of my fav Greek restaurants in Melb now is charging 3% for Amex :evil:

 

[wxxnxs]

One of my fav Greek restaurants in Melb now is charging 3% for Amex :evil:

Not a surprise, becoming more common nowadays.

 

[docjames]

One of my fav Greek restaurants in Melb now is charging 3% for Amex :evil:

Melbourne's not short of Greek restaurants, so i'm sure you'll find another accepting Amex fee-free.

 

[lovestotravel]

Melbourne's not short of Greek restaurants, so i'm sure you'll find another accepting Amex fee-free.

True - But this one is STILL part of the Qantas restaurant program where you get 3 QFF per $1 spent.

At least I got the QFF restaurant points on the surcharged amount as well :shock:

Can't complain about 4.5 Qantas FF points per $1 even with a 3% surcharge I guess.

 

[drron]

Last time I shopped at a local store, they refused to take my Amex and said the terminal was down.

Then I pulled out my business cheque book (asking cash / payee, negotiable or not etc)...at the end they swiped my amex instead and it worked...

Good tip.Will try it.

 

[mockopalooza]

I called Amex Platinum Travel to book a hotel in Bangkok...

Guess what? 1.7% merchant fee to use my american express card with american express.

Jumped straight onto that site to report that my card wasn't welcomed and a surcharge was charged.

We'll see if I get a call...