AMEX - Shop Small November 2019

[Dr Ralph]

Went to a cafe which appeared on the Shop Small Merchant Map this morning and when I went to pay they stated they didn't accept AMEX. Paid using my Mastercard and then got onto AMEX Live Chat, and the agent managed to take my details and pass it on so I could get the $10 credit manually. Does AMEX in this case contact the merchant or do they update the map?

I've never seen the map updated in situations like this. At least not for the current year.

 

[DC3]

Casino News kicked up a stink and would only let me use 1 AMEX to top up. So don't go in thinking you can get more than 1 card. She said they lose 1.5% because that is what AMEX charge. I told her 'sure no problem add it to my charge', her reply 'No we lose more than that'. Hmmm ok why did you tell me 1.5% then???

That person sounds like a simpleton.

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t 1.5% of, say, $20, $30, $40, etc, still 1.5%., whether spread over 1, 2, 3, 4 cards or more? What’s wrong with these people? Making it up as she went along.

 

[Dr Ralph]

That person sounds like a simpleton.

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t 1.5% of, say, $20, $30, $40, etc, still 1.5%., whether spread over 1, 2, 3, 4 cards or more? What’s wrong with these people? Making it up as she went along.

Agree.

I've been working a local newsagent on small shop.

$20 opal top up. 1 per day. No surcharge. Today they said they can't top up opal anymore using AMEX. Say it's costing them 1%. I offer them $21 for the $20 top up and they refuse.

At least I got 10 top ups before it got to this.

Wash up is that now I'll never purchase anything from this local news agent. I only have to walk 100m to another news agent.

 

[daft009]

Some nice scotch and gelato had tonight thanks to shop small. Thanks Amex

 

[JessicaTam]

I tried the local Indian restaurant for the first time last night.

 

[robbo135]

My usual dry cleaning place now part of Shop Small, nice bonus $10

 

[get me outta here]

I discovered a local poke place and had a nice 50% off lunch, not as good as the HNL one though.

 

[MathNerd]

My usual dry cleaning place now part of Shop Small, nice bonus $10

Echoing @robbo135:
Likewise, the dry cleaner around the corner from work is part of Shop Small, though the merchant name on the map isn't the business name. Took a bit of Googling to match the addresses and make sure they were the same.

Perfect timing for dry cleaning a suit that I wore to a wedding this weekend in OOL. The challenge was of course keeping it crease-free on the VA MEL-OOL flight!

Going to get a few more things dry cleaned and pay with my other registered cards to avail of the $10 "discount".

Well done to those who are able to max out the offer on all their cards!!

 

[knagelli]

I tried the local Indian restaurant for the first time last night.

which restaurant in Melbourne??

 

[JessicaTam]

which restaurant in Melbourne??

The Curry House (SXE)

 

[knagelli]

Does any one know if any of the 7Eleven outlets fall under shop small ?

 

[maccaisking]

Does any one know if any of the 7Eleven outlets fall under shop small ?

They don’t

 

[SeaWolf]

Does any one know if any of the 7Eleven outlets fall under shop small ?

They don't, however there are a few similar convenience stores that do. Like the Allied Marts in Sydney (they show up as City Mart on your statement).

 

[goldenhorn]

So I inadvertently went to a couple of places that I didn't realise were on the ShopSmall map, so went 2 transactions over on one card. No big deal.

But have found you have to check every transaction is credited.

Just off Amex chat and had to get them to submit 3 manual submissions for credits that weren't applied. Glad I'm keeping track of my 6 cards in my notes.

But it's even worse than that as the offer now appears to be targeted.

Just another reason to continue to use the churn and burn strategy. Nothing special about AMEX.

I'm starting to agree with you @Dr Ralph

 

[SOPOOR]

I get that people think this years small shop sux, which I agree with,

however, ive had to call amex twice about some general enquires,

ive noticed that both times, staff thank me for being a loyal member for X years,

this has never happened in the past

did I just get lucky or are amex really trying to keep customers?

 

[MathNerd]

did I just get lucky or are amex really trying to keep customers

It has to be the latter. I think Amex have realised quite strongly that perception of the brand has been tarnished after quite a few "nails in the coffin", so to speak.
They know that their primary client base is savvy users who maximise the "benefit" of the majority of their transactions, and a devaluation is a devaluation, no matter how you try to explain it.
Senior management must've had a discussion on how to please the remaining customers that haven't jumped ship yet.
Basic psychology they're playing with.

 

[SOPOOR]

It has to be the latter. I think Amex have realised quite strongly that perception of the brand has been tarnished after quite a few "nails in the coffin", so to speak.
They know that their primary client base is savvy users who maximise the "benefit" of the majority of their transactions, and a devaluation is a devaluation, no matter how you try to explain it.
Senior management must've had a discussion on how to please the remaining customers that haven't jumped ship yet.
Basic psychology they're playing with.

be so interesting to find out someway what numbers they expected to drop in revenue or members vs reality

 

[New Chump]

Just back from a quick trip to Canberra. Ridiculous how many places there are in the ACT that are part of small shop and more generally that take AMEX.

Managed 25 small shop purchases in less than 24 hrs.

Only my two newest Supps were targeted. (Disappointing this year.)

Dr R, I think you are just back onto the AMEX after the 18 month holiday, and sounds like all your Supps were targeted.

I wonder if that's the critera AMEX used to target cards: newer Supps were targeted, older Supps weren't. I doubt it's that simple.

Any thoughts on what to do to get cards targeted next year?


NC

 

[SOPOOR]

Only my two newest Supps were targeted. (Disappointing this year.)

Dr R, I think you are just back onto the AMEX after the 18 month holiday, and sounds like all your Supps were targeted.

I wonder if that's the critera AMEX used to target cards: newer Supps were targeted, older Supps weren't. I doubt it's that simple.

Any thoughts on what to do to get cards targeted next year?


NC

here was my experience, I have max number of supps for both explorer and edge, I got all but one set of supps at the same time ages ago, I got the new supp very recently,

so I had targeted the following
Primary user x2
1x old supp x 2
new supp x 2

 

[Dr Ralph]

Only my two newest Supps were targeted. (Disappointing this year.)

Dr R, I think you are just back onto the AMEX after the 18 month holiday, and sounds like all your Supps were targeted.

I wonder if that's the critera AMEX used to target cards: newer Supps were targeted, older Supps weren't. I doubt it's that simple.

Any thoughts on what to do to get cards targeted next year?


NC

Yes now back on after 18 months out.

Yes all cards got the offer.

I can't see there being any way to increase your chances of being targeted other than cancelling your cards and reapplying.