Is Wal-Mart taking ApplePay now? I often use the MasterCard nearby app to find stores that take NFC payments and just noticed that down in Georgia where I am now, Wal-Marts have started showing up. I haven't gone in one to try it out. Anyone know more? Why are they showing up in the MC app?
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ApplePay at Wal-Mart?
- Thread starter BruiserB
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Seriously under a mile away and you ask here? Go try it duh
The way I understand it is that Walmart uses a competing electronic pay system called CurrentC, and their contract with CurrentC, calls for them to reject Apple Pay.
http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/25/currentc/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/homaycotte/2014/11/04/nfc-apple-pay-already-won/
http://techcrunch.com/2014/10/25/currentc/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/homaycotte/2014/11/04/nfc-apple-pay-already-won/
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I'm just here visiting family and really don't feel like going into a Walmart on a holiday weekend if I don't have to. Was just wondering if anyone else has actually paid with ApplePay at a Walmart.
Yes, Walmart is one of the main forces behind CurrentC, which is exactly why it would be amazing if they crack and start to take ApplePay and other NFC payments.
Looks like Walmart is gonna be the lone holdout.
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/17/best-buy-apple-pay-rolling-out/
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/17/best-buy-apple-pay-rolling-out/
The exclusivity agreement with CurrentC expired several months ago. Walmart just doesn't want to accept NFC payments because they're anti-credit card fees. Instead of being proactive about it, like Target has with the Debit Redcard, they rather explore crappy solutions such as CurrentC.
Dang. I just Googled the store I posted and it does show that it has a Subway. I have seen these type of stores listed before but they were listed as Subway (not Walmart). Oh well, I was hoping they were starting to take ApplePay. Strange that it's in MasterCard's database as Walmart (and categorized as Groceries), but I suppose if Walmart owns the Subway they may have a common credit card processing setup but Walmart only turns the NFC on at the Subway terminal.
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Hm, if they are 'anti-credit card fees' I'm surprised WalMart takes AmEx which has the highest fees. Hopefully the whole CurrentC thing will blow over and NFC will get enabled someday soon.
Doubtful. Somebody posted a video a while back where one of the Walmart executives, speaking at a payment-related conference, basically derided Apple Pay and made a big stink about it like a 3 year old would.
This is the same company that almost stopped taking Mastercards back in the early 00's over a fee increase.
They'll probably come around eventually like Best Buy did. Give it 1-3 more years once NFC payments become more prevalent and they'll have to start taking them.
Remember they're not only blocking Apple Pay but Android Pay too (all NFC payments). There's too much pressure with the sheer number of devices between the 2 not to bend eventually.
Remember they're not only blocking Apple Pay but Android Pay too (all NFC payments). There's too much pressure with the sheer number of devices between the 2 not to bend eventually.
Most studies show that businesses who accept AMEX increases sales. AMEX customers make larger than average purchases. Walmart doesn't want to lose those sales.
On the other had, ApplePay and other NFC payments are in their infancy so there is very little business to lose. Walmart believes they have a chance to kill them and take NFC away from the credit card companies through CurrentC.
There is literally millions of dollars at stake. They will take the gamble because customers like me still shop there and pull out their AMEX card even though I want to use my Apple Watch to pay.
^ True but I think Current C, if it ever even gets off the ground, is going to fail horribly that they are banking on due to people arent going to link their bank accounts to something that can be hacked or give up their personal data to a store to track their purchases. Im FAR from a security nut about that stuff but 100% I will not be using Current C as it's not secure at all, been hacked already, and links to your bank account with little fraud protection vs credit cards (or even if they do choose to cover it, how do you intend to pay your bills for months while the bank sorts the mess out when a thief empties your account?) Current C is swiss cheese security and you give up your purchasing data to the store to harass you more with their crap ads and coupons you already dont want that they randomly send out.
I bet within 2-3 years Walmart takes Apple Pay- well lets call it NFC really since the reader takes all NFC payments not just Apple Pay.
They wont have much choice as contactless payments become more prevalent in a few more years. You're not only leaving out Apple Pay buy Android Pay as well. Once Android devices start rolling out with NFC standard beyond Samsung they are then leaving out millions and millions more people wanting to pay with NFC. They will be under intense public/consumer pressure to take contactless payments.
I bet within 2-3 years Walmart takes Apple Pay- well lets call it NFC really since the reader takes all NFC payments not just Apple Pay.
They wont have much choice as contactless payments become more prevalent in a few more years. You're not only leaving out Apple Pay buy Android Pay as well. Once Android devices start rolling out with NFC standard beyond Samsung they are then leaving out millions and millions more people wanting to pay with NFC. They will be under intense public/consumer pressure to take contactless payments.
^ I believe that your analysis is correct. However, I was explaining why Walmart was taking the gamble.
If they are wrong, and I believe they are, they lose a small investment.
If they are right and people will sell privacy and safety for loyalty cards and points, the payoff will be HUGE.
Yes, it is a smart gamble.
If they are wrong, and I believe they are, they lose a small investment.
If they are right and people will sell privacy and safety for loyalty cards and points, the payoff will be HUGE.
Yes, it is a smart gamble.
Oh I know. I just don't think in this day and age of store data breaches now that people are going to hand over their personal data to any store without thought like maybe 2-3 years ago when they started up the idea of Current C. The massive retail data breaches may have killed Current C, or at least any hope that they get enough people to sign up for it.
Best Buy and CVS have both already folded and decided to take NFC payments when they were part of Current C and refused for a good year.
Best Buy and CVS have both already folded and decided to take NFC payments when they were part of Current C and refused for a good year.
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CVS still does not accept NFC payments. You're thinking of Rite Aid - they have reversed course. That being said, Rite Aid is being bought out by CVS.
Rite Aid sorry. Main point still remians.
And as said they're being bought by Walgreen who takes NFC not CVS.
My understanding is that Walmart is starting to deploy jailbroken iBeacons in their stores that are programmed to delete payment cards out of Apple Pay wallets!
