Question - How important is it to accept AMEX?

[FenderGuy]

Originally posted by Todsimpson
I'd like to hear some of the success stories about Amex stepping up when something goes wrong.

I had a dispute on my company card and Amex immediately and permanently sided with the vendor. I don't know why I even bothered to file a claim, their "investigation" was a joke.

How did they earn this rep?

Put a hold for 2 rooms in Mexico, called to cancel the rooms. Seems the resort in Mexico thought other wise and charged me. AMEX stepped up when I should them proof I made calls on my cell phone bill, they paid the $125 fee.


Chase on the other hand is the worst company ever, after paying $100 for my amp to get repaired by a shady place, and paying another $60 to get it fixed right and having proof of letter that the first shop was a screw up, Chase sided with the merchant.
Ive had other dealings with my MC,VISA and Discover similar to Chase. Hence why they get little use.

[Navaros911]

Originally posted by derickc
They reviewed axing AMEX because the charges are so much higher until they discovered their amex customers were their most profitable customers because they bought wine and steak and gouda cheese, etc...

-dc

Well, this may not be the preferred answer for AMEX holders (yes, I am one too), but to keep it fair to the consumers; how about charging a small premium for the AMEX...

For me it's a fraude protection matter... nothing more, nothing less (who cares about the image anyway for online sales).

I have the VISA and MC as well, but refuse to use them for internet sales. The only other option is PayPal, pretty secure in my view... or even wire transfer if the seller is trustworthy (like PP)... but internationally this costs me quite a bit.

As for the wine, steak and gouda cheese... that's everydays meal on the other side of the Atlantic No need for AMEX there.

[patkeefe]

This thread is only making me angry. Can someone explain that to me? Maybe I have issues?

[gatotom]

I use Am Express but not bent out of shape if I can't. Bottom line is the bottom line, adjust your needs accordingly.

[ras911]

Quality protection and service for the consumer

[Steve87-911]

Wayne,
I only use AMEX for business travel since it's a company-issued card. For online stuff I use my personal Visa or MasterCard. For everything else, it's cash, check, or debit.

[Cdnone1]

I believe you can not charge a premium for using a credit card in the USA you can only offer a discount for using cash or check.

[scedmonds]

I've quit using MC and Visa due to poor experiences with customer service, and use my AmEx corp. card for business travel and my AmEx Blue card for personal purchases. I do periodically use my debit card, but use the AmEx channel for 90% of my personal charges.

Sorry to hear they're difficult for you to deal with --

Cheers!

C.

[chgrec]

My wife and i use amex almost exclusivly. I have both a personal card and work card...while we have mc & visa, our amex gives us some services the other cards dont. I have also had a dispute and amex serviced it quickly & effectively.

I would however still shop at pelican even if your didnt take amex....perhaps you could also accept paypal as a choice...I sell a decent amount of stuff on ebay and that paypal account funds my car part purchases.....

Just a though...

Chris

[patkeefe]

I know why I'm angry. I read stuff like this (not quite as entertaining as a carburetor repair manual, but enlightening nonetheless)

http://www.companyseek.com/americanexpress-AXP.htm

AMEX basically strongarms merchants, saying "we hold the free spending customers, but we will deliver them to you for a fee". The antitrust litigation vs VISA and MC worked out well for AMEX also.

So, they were well within their rights to charge me 27.99% APR on my Optima card.

[chgrec]

Originally posted by patkeefe
.....So, they were well within their rights to charge me 27.99% APR on my Optima card.

They dont charge any interest on the regular (non-revolving) card....or if you pay it off every month....We pay an annual fee on our cards NOT an interest rate.

It is well worth it for the annual usage summary alone....especially with the new sales tax deduction allowed this year by the IRS.....saved me more than it cost me...Amex's strength is in the service they offer with their cards, well worth it....

And you, as a consumer, are always well within your rights to not use their card...

Chris

[DGL]

As a significant AMEX shareholder, multiple cardholder and fellow business owner, I would say it no longer matters if you take the card or not, you've already damaged your relationship with many of those who know their "member since" year.

Will I continue to buy from Pelican if you ax AMEX, probably.
Will I check prices with other AMEX accepting vendors first, yes.
Would I have before today, no.

[RallyJon]

you've already damaged your relationship with many of those who know their "member since" year

LOL! Wayne, think this quote illustrates perfectly the mentality you're dealing with.

[msterling]

Wayne,

If your margins are that tight, then an AMEX surcharge to match your added cost seems fair. Be sure to be "up front" with a notice and offer a clear choice to use a lower cost card type.

Customers that are married to all the AMEX perks have already made the decision to use a more costly card.

When the added cost stops coming from your bottom line it will be easier to appreciate the type of customer that brings their business and AMEX card to your store/site.

P.S. Explore all possibilities to get the best rates on credit card transactions. Shop around. Your bank may not be the best way to go. I used to go through FDR with ICVerify. Automated processing, address verification and strategic classification of your transactions types can also reduce fee rates. You probably know all of this but many businesses leave a lot of money on the table in this area.

[craig001]

It's all I use. Mainly because you have to pay it off each month.

[john_colasante]

From http://www.thecreditreportsite.com/:

"In some states the customer can be assessed a surcharge for using a credit card. However, there are laws against credit card surcharges in CA, CO, CT, FL, KS, MA, ME, NY, OK and TX. Additionally, Visa and MasterCard prohibit surcharges. American Express discourages them in general, and prohibits merchants from charging them if they also accept MasterCard or Visa. Discover allows surcharges on credit card purchases except in the above states. According to Bankcard Holders of America, there is one exception to the no surcharge law. If you pay state license fees by credit card, you may have to pay a surcharge. There are no exceptions for retail merchants."

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by chgrec

I would however still shop at pelican even if your didnt take amex....perhaps you could also accept paypal as a choice...I sell a decent amount of stuff on ebay and that paypal account funds my car part purchases.....

Just a though...

Chris

I've been accepting PayPal for about five years now...

-Wayne

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by DGL
As a significant AMEX shareholder, multiple cardholder and fellow business owner, I would say it no longer matters if you take the card or not, you've already damaged your relationship with many of those who know their "member since" year.

Will I continue to buy from Pelican if you ax AMEX, probably.
Will I check prices with other AMEX accepting vendors first, yes.
Would I have before today, no.

Wow - and post #6

I'll take my no longer "member since" and my 820 beacon score and go play in another sandbox...

[copper]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
I've been accepting PayPal for about five years now...

-Wayne

See, now there's something I didn't know either. Glad I do now.

P.S. Wayne, sent you a PM and email (I know, I know you get too many emails) about plug wires.

Jim

[jimbo]

Gotta go with guaranteed coverage. Either accept their % or no. Simple as that. Commerce is commerce.