Plea to retailers: Please accept American Express

Aquatronixjenny

We take card payments using the Barclaycard Business epdq system and we cannot take amex. If we wanted to take amex we have to apply separately and the charges are enormous. The problem is, we pay a monthly fee for our epdq system, and may only get 3 or 4 customers a year wanting to pay by amex. The amount we would be charged would be much more than the value of transactions.

If amex want to get more merchants on board then they have to lower their charges... simple.

MamaMoo_2

Where I used to work we couldn't accept AmEx, but to be fair, we never lost any money, because when we said "sorry, we don't accept AmEx", they would then pull out another credit card, or debit card, or pay cash.
I think most people who have an American Express card are of the understanding that many places will not accept it, and so they will usually have a back up card.
Although it might be easier for big shops to absorb the costs, it isn't really worthwhile with how few people want to pay by AmEx.
It'd also be a lot harder for smaller independent stores.

Azari

I have a suspicion that the larger retailers and businesses who accept amex have negotiated a much better deal than small shops and restaurants.

Meepster

Azari wrote: »

I have a suspicion that the larger retailers and businesses who accept amex have negotiated a much better deal than small shops and restaurants.

Not really. Up until a couple of years ago, we accepted Amex, but we stopped dealing with them due to the high rates being charged.

It was a global package arranged through our parent company, covering 18 companies throughout europe (net sales of around £1.3 Billion, so not exactly a low turnover) but the costs involved really weren't feasible...

Fridaycat

I have two Amex cards - both the platinum cash back one and the Nectar one - and I will use them whenever I can. I also have other cards (M&S Mastercard and First Direct Visa) for when I can't use my Amex. I do like Amex, and have found them to have superb customer service on the couple of occasions when I have had to contact them.

I find that most (though not all) large stores do accept AMEX and there are one or two - e.g. Boots - who never used to accept it but who do now.

My suggestion to the OP - continue to use your Amex, but get a different card as an alternative for when you can't

paddyrg

IIRC the retailer has to pay something crazy like 4.5% as opposed to 2% for Amex over MC. Can't say I blame the ones who decline.

If, OP, you have an AMEX, surely you can also get a MC/Visa for those other shops? Or use a debit card?

Abbafan1972

I don't work in retail, but work for a small engineering firm where customers can pay by card. As far as I'm aware, the only card we don't accept is American Express.

Jakg

visadeath wrote: »

I often wonder why AMEX charge such high fees to the shops, but I do also notice that places are adding a fee if you want to pay by AMEX so perhaps if all shops used that method everyone could be happy?

I have a suspicion that in order to officially say "we accept American Express" and use the fancy sign you *cannot* charge any additional amount for paying by Amex.

They offer uber cashback because they charge massive fees - it's a pain not being accepted everywhere, but there isn't really a solution.

peter_the_piper

We take it but the charges are not a problem as only 1 person per year asks to use it. Might say no if too many do ask.

Mallotum_X

Enough places take it, its my first choice for card, then have a mastercard for the places that dont. No big deal.