So, about this "wider acceptance" thing...

[Jacques Vert]

the problem i have - is that AMEX did promise wider acceptance, albeit on pretty vague terms, but it was still a promise.

They only had to add one store to meet that promise! Just saying.

 

[odysseus]

They only had to add one store to meet that promise! Just saying.

I don't believe it was a promise... just an "explanation." And in marketing terms, the basis for that can be nothing at all. Or as you say a singular example.

Essentially there have been a few additions in merchants, and also anecdotally, some marginal reductions in fees. Hence, both claims are met. It doesn't mean there is a substantial change.

 

[SOPOOR]

maybe ive become a bit more sensitive to the matter, but I seem to notice more stores charging 1.5% ish flat rate for all visa/mc/amex cards

 

[NJSteve]

maybe ive become a bit more sensitive to the matter, but I seem to notice more stores charging 1.5% ish flat rate for all visa/mc/amex cards

It seems to be becoming pretty common for payments platforms to be offering around 1.3% rates on Visa/ MC transactions these days. I'm personally using Yak Pay which has been great for ourselves thus far (1%) for VISA transactions but I've also heard Reward Pay are doing 1.3% or something of the likes. There's definitely options out there

 

[cqtiger]

I dont know why Australia is the only country that separates cc surcharges in the billing. Never have I seen it while travelling overseas (I realize its probably incorporated in the price which is what it should be)

 

[fantastikforce]

Whilst JB Hi-Fi accepts Amex in store, their surcharge is ridiculously high! How do they get away with charging 2.45% surcharge?

 

[pauly]

My main supplier has just introduced a 2.5% surcharge for amex which I doubt they would have done if the fees were at all close to V/MC (no surcharge). Dragon is going to get a massive workout from now on I suppose.

 

[daft009]

TPG wants 3.02% for Amex!
Surely they can do better now that they own so many other ISPs

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

I just applied for an Amex merchant facility.
Fees quoted are below.
**Crazy how they charge a higher fee the more volume you put via Amex.

1. A warmly welcoming Merchant Service Fee („MSF‟) of 0.95% excl GST) is payable on all American Express Card transactions.
2. The MSF in 1 above is a new business rate for our small merchants and is based on your business having an annual charge volume which is currently less than $50,000. We will conduct a review of your annual charge volume following the end of each month and, in the event that your annual charge volume increases to between $50,000 and $100,000, your MSF will increase to 1.35% excl (GST) within 30 days of our review. Further, in the event that your annual charge volume increases above $100,000, your MSF will increase to the standard industry rate which is currently 1.75% excl (GST). For the avoidance of doubt, your MSF will not be reduced if your annual charge volume falls back below the volume thresholds specified herein.

 

[daft009]

I just applied for an Amex merchant facility.
Fees quoted are below.
**Crazy how they charge a higher fee the more volume you put via Amex.

1. A warmly welcoming Merchant Service Fee („MSF‟) of 0.95% excl GST) is payable on all American Express Card transactions.
2. The MSF in 1 above is a new business rate for our small merchants and is based on your business having an annual charge volume which is currently less than $50,000. We will conduct a review of your annual charge volume following the end of each month and, in the event that your annual charge volume increases to between $50,000 and $100,000, your MSF will increase to 1.35% excl (GST) within 30 days of our review. Further, in the event that your annual charge volume increases above $100,000, your MSF will increase to the standard industry rate which is currently 1.75% excl (GST). For the avoidance of doubt, your MSF will not be reduced if your annual charge volume falls back below the volume thresholds specified herein.

Annual of 50k wouldn't be a lot!

Explains why one of my suppliers can take Amex payment surcharge free if under $20k/month statement but if any higher will charge a surcharge

 

[SOPOOR]

I just applied for an Amex merchant facility.
Fees quoted are below.
**Crazy how they charge a higher fee the more volume you put via Amex.

1. A warmly welcoming Merchant Service Fee („MSF‟) of 0.95% excl GST) is payable on all American Express Card transactions.
2. The MSF in 1 above is a new business rate for our small merchants and is based on your business having an annual charge volume which is currently less than $50,000. We will conduct a review of your annual charge volume following the end of each month and, in the event that your annual charge volume increases to between $50,000 and $100,000, your MSF will increase to 1.35% excl (GST) within 30 days of our review. Further, in the event that your annual charge volume increases above $100,000, your MSF will increase to the standard industry rate which is currently 1.75% excl (GST). For the avoidance of doubt, your MSF will not be reduced if your annual charge volume falls back below the volume thresholds specified herein.

There must be a logical justification and reasoning for the inverse fee strucutre

 

[soundawake]

I have noticed that my local Caltex servo no longer charges a surcharge for Amex.

 

[Peter D]

There must be a logical justification and reasoning for the inverse fee strucutre

I suppose Amex want us to get used to using Amex for minor touch and go purchases and therefore form a habit for all our other purchases.

Baristas and barbers etc. would be peanuts to Amex and if the turnover increased Amex would still get a higher fee.

My own pattern is to use Amex for supermarkets, petrol and larger purchases where the quantity of points earned are worthwhile (after considering the effect of any surcharge).

I am happy to automatically tender master card to small businesses, without the bother of having to think about whether or not they would accept Amex.

 

[SOPOOR]

I suppose Amex want us to get used to using Amex for minor touch and go purchases and therefore form a habit for all our other purchases.

Baristas and barbers etc. would be peanuts to Amex and if the turnover increased Amex would still get a higher fee.

My own pattern is to use Amex for supermarkets, petrol and larger purchases where the quantity of points earned are worthwhile (after considering the effect of any surcharge).

I am happy to automatically tender master card to small businesses, without the bother of having to think about whether or not they would accept Amex.

thats interesting, thats why when Isee huge companies like Jbh hifi or jetstar chargin 2-3% for amex, I used to scoff, but now I am not so sure now

 

[mrmerc500]

Having the unfortunate situation of my chihuahua suffering an unexpected seizure resulting in 2 nights in vet hospital & now considering neurological surgery, it would be great if Amex could venture out to the Health Profession in all categories to have it widely accepted with larger $ volumes. Our regular vet accepts it though.

 

[Strikes]

Having the unfortunate situation of my chihuahua suffering an unexpected seizure resulting in 2 nights in vet hospital & now considering neurological surgery, it would be great if Amex could venture out to the Health Profession in all categories to have it widely accepted with larger $ volumes. Our regular vet accepts it though.

I hope your dog gets better soon, that's not nice to have to deal with.

 

[mrmerc500]

I hope your dog gets better soon, that's not nice to have to deal with.

Thanks Strikes, these situations that are common amongst breeds you find out as they come up & certainly not predictable especially if congenital from birth.

I know Amex market a merchant when a new big business is added (ie IKEA) but it would be nice to receive a monthly update for all new merchants across multiple categories if they’re serious about increasing acceptance amongst a reasonable interchange rate.

 

[SOPOOR]

Thanks Strikes, these situations that are common amongst breeds you find out as they come up & certainly not predictable especially if congenital from birth.

I know Amex market a merchant when a new big business is added (ie IKEA) but it would be nice to receive a monthly update for all new merchants across multiple categories of they’re serious about increasing acceptance amongst a reasonable interchange rate.

I've recently visited 3 vets

And none of them have accepted Amex

Must be a vet thing, as I believe some doctors accept amex

 

[Spongbob]

Our dentist accepts AMEX, but only if your appointment is at tooth thirty.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

Our dentist accepts AMEX, but only if your appointment is at tooth thirty.

tooth *hurty*