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American Express advertised (sort of) at restaurant, but wouldn't accept it?!
w211
Posts: 700 Forumite
Just a small issue I'd like to raise.
I understand that American Express isn't widely accepted as Visa/Mastercard, and where it's fairly obvious it's not accepted (often a small independently run shop) I usually don't bother asking if they accept it.
However, was in a restaurant last night, and was handed my bill in a holder, with the American Express logo/branding on it. (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/American-Express-Bill-Server-/221134394597?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item337ca314e5)
Naturally, I put my American Express in it, and was told they don't accept it?!
Are they allowed to do this, advertising (although indirectly) a form of payment, then not accepting it? What would American Express's view on this be?
Not a big deal, used another card, and went on my way, won't loose any sleep over it. but thought I'd ask on here.
I understand that American Express isn't widely accepted as Visa/Mastercard, and where it's fairly obvious it's not accepted (often a small independently run shop) I usually don't bother asking if they accept it.
However, was in a restaurant last night, and was handed my bill in a holder, with the American Express logo/branding on it. (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/American-Express-Bill-Server-/221134394597?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item337ca314e5)
Naturally, I put my American Express in it, and was told they don't accept it?!
Are they allowed to do this, advertising (although indirectly) a form of payment, then not accepting it? What would American Express's view on this be?
Not a big deal, used another card, and went on my way, won't loose any sleep over it. but thought I'd ask on here.
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Comments
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Where I work, we advertise Bacardi Breezers on our beermats, because those mats are all we've got, but we don't sell those products. A bit silly really, but no big deal.
Like you said, you paid and went on your way, end of story.
American Express won't be bothered by it if you contact them.0 -
Given you've consumed the food without any representation Amex would be accepted, you're post-contract when they give you the bill in the folder thingy. So no grounds for complaint.
Gets more tricky if they've got the logo on the window and then try to refuse...0 -
American express has some small form to fill in about this, tweet their twitter. They will be interested as they probably used to accept it and would have been told to remove any Amex branding and I believe there may be a fine in the contract for not following through.0
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Could be they used to accept it and have stopped, they do accept it from a system perspective but their staff are told not to, could be they bought the bill holders from ebay like you found them.
AmEx may be interested in their branding being used in a company that doesnt accept their cards but for you as the consumer then you havent lost anything given that it was post purchase that you found out.
There are very few AmEx holders that dont carry another card given they arent universally accepted0 -
Rang them up, details of the restaurant will be passed to their marketing department.
They thanked me for the call, as they are concerned the restaurant are using American Express branded merchandise and refusing my payment.0 -
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bengal-stripe wrote: »Bit petty, isn't it?
Well it is effectively using a brand that you don't have an affiliation with.0 -
Rang them up, details of the restaurant will be passed to their marketing department.
They thanked me for the call, as they are concerned the restaurant are using American Express branded merchandise and refusing my payment.
Years ago I used to be a merchant that charged more for Amex. Sometimes Amex cardholders said they would report me, and sometime they did - proudly telling me that I was under investigation. I got a couple of letters which I ignored and that was it.
In the case of merchandise, I don't ever remember seeing any licence/restriction that I could only use the stuff whilst still accepting amex. Unless there was, I'd be free to going on using it after ceasing being a merchant.0 -
chattychappy wrote: »Years ago I used to be a merchant that charged more for Amex. Sometimes Amex cardholders said they would report me, and sometime they did - proudly telling me that I was under investigation. I got a couple of letters which I ignored and that was it.
In the case of merchandise, I don't ever remember seeing any licence/restriction that I could only use the stuff whilst still accepting amex. Unless there was, I'd be free to going on using it after ceasing being a merchant.
I'm pretty sure in the Amex terms and conditions it has a clause saying "Should you stop welcoming the American Express, All American Express stickers and merchandise should be returned to us within 30 days"0 -
bengal-stripe wrote: »Bit petty, isn't it?
EXTREMELY petty. OP should stay at home !0
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