Who Does/Does Not Accept Amex?

martynlangford

Discovered that The Range stores also accept American Express credit cards.

[Deleted User]

Nick_C wrote: »

Well I don't know how much extra business Amex generates, but I will now be a regular customer of two small shops which I would never have tried if Amex had not been promoting them, so without a doubt Amex generates some new business!

Yes but you'll only be using them while they accept your Amex card.

kkgree1

Wilkinsons (Wilco) has recently begun taking Amex. Great as shop there quite a lot!

I was surprised that B&Q don't accept Amex - I think it's unusual for a large DIY store and something they should rethink.

Nick_C

kkgree1 wrote: »

Wilkinsons (Wilco) has recently begun taking Amex. Great as shop there quite a lot!

I was surprised that B&Q don't accept Amex - I think it's unusual for a large DIY store and something they should rethink.

In this area, Wilko have been taking Amex for at least two years.

You can also buy B&Q gift cards in Wilko with your Amex card.

For maximum value, use the Wilko saver card. Load it with 4 * £24 (using your Amex), and you will have £102 to spend. A £6 bonus, equating to a 5.9% discount.

You can use the Wilko saver card to buy gift cards, but you can only use the money you've added to the saver card, not the bonus.

lisyloo

Deleted_User wrote: »

Yes but you'll only be using them while they accept your Amex card.

I don't think that's true.
Everyone that has an Amex card has a back up so it's never a problem.
If you got introduced to a great business you wouldn't drop it because of payment methods.

It's extremely rare to walk away from a transaction because of payment methods.
I've had to think very carefully about a few (almost always small businesses abroad that want a bank xfer, such as holiday cottage) but don't think I've ever walked away from any transaction because of payment methods.

[Deleted User]

lisyloo wrote: »

I don't think that's true.
Everyone that has an Amex card has a back up so it's never a problem.
If you got introduced to a great business you wouldn't drop it because of payment methods.

It's extremely rare to walk away from a transaction because of payment methods.
I've had to think very carefully about a few (almost always small businesses abroad that want a bank xfer, such as holiday cottage) but don't think I've ever walked away from any transaction because of payment methods.

That's exactly my point. Amex only benefits the card holder and Amex themselves, not the business.

I used to work for a retailer that didn't accept Amex, people would ask if we did and when we said no they just pulled out a different card or the corresponding Visa/Mastercard attached to the same account as their Amex. So at the end of the day we saved in transaction fees from not taking the Amex but we still got the sale.

lisyloo

That's exactly my point. Amex only benefits the card holder and Amex themselves, not the business.

You've seen a couple of people on this thread say they specifically went somewhere because of an offer from AMEX and then decided to become to repeat customers. That's a benefit for the business.

I use groupon, travelzoo for free deals.
I've been sceptical of the value to the businesses because I wonder how many people would go to restaurant and order tap water and not return.
However I have myself bought full priced extras and returned to establishments that made me offers.

So I think that offers (that in this case come through AMEX) do bring in new business and you've have some real anecdotes of that.

Whether it's a significant amount, is debateable, but new businesses do need to build up custom.

Nick_C

Deleted_User wrote: »

That's exactly my point. Amex only benefits the card holder and Amex themselves, not the business.

I used to work for a retailer that didn't accept Amex, people would ask if we did and when we said no they just pulled out a different card or the corresponding Visa/Mastercard attached to the same account as their Amex. So at the end of the day we saved in transaction fees from not taking the Amex but we still got the sale.

No. You are missing the point. I only started using the farm shop in the next village because of the Amex "shop small" promotion last December. I was aware of the shop, but hadn't tried it. The chance to spend £10 there and get £5 back incentivised me to try that shop for the first time. I now spend over £40 a month there. That's about £500 of additional income per year from one customer solely because they take Amex. I would not have gone to that shop if it had not been for the "shop small" promotion.

When it comes to other stores, if two stores sell the same thing for the same price, one takes Amex and the other doesn't, I will go to the shop that takes Amex. I will shop at Homebase or Wickes instead of B&Q, all other things being equal.

Without a doubt, taking Amex generates additional income for some retailers.

martynlangford

Four organisations that DO ACCEPT Amex
Robert Dyas
Wilco
The Range
Stonehouse pubs

deely

martynlangford wrote: »

Four organisations that DO ACCEPT Amex
Robert Dyas
Wilco
The Range
Stonehouse pubs

pretty sure I used my Amex in The Range last week