Stores Rejecting Apple Pay!

By J.P., 26 October, 2014

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Hey Guys,
I'm writing this just wondering if others are thinking the same. Just wanted others opinions. I hope all can speak freely without attacking.
As a blind individual, I very much welcome Apple Pay. To date, it is the most secure form of payment for the blind. A completely accessible way for us to shop.
How many of you have been frustrated with terminals in the store? They aren't always blind -friendly. When we need assistance, that undermines security. Any time we must rely on assistance from a clerk. Even when they just want to help, with no malicious intent. This always leaves personal data vulnerable,
Apple Pay corrects this and allows us more security. Our cards never leave our hands. Our fingerprint is all we need. Frustration free shopping.
Many merchants don't want Apple Pay. They back another option called CurrentC. It is to be released next year. It will connect to your bank account. Sorry, but I will connect nothing to my checking account. With this, it will use a QR code to process payment. It won't populate a unique, individual one time code like Apple Pay.
The company responsible for this technology is MCX. The companies who are part of this consortium have agreed to only except this payment. Some companies like Rite-Aid, and CVS took their terminals offline this weekend, to ensure Apple Pay will be denied.
MCX has many big merchants behind it. Walmart, Sears, Kmart, Target, Bed, Bath &Beyond to name a few.
In my opinion, this is an assault on the disability community. These companies might be completely oblivious to that fact. I would ask that you guys visit the MCX website, see for yourself the major companies who will deny you the use of Apple Pay. Which to date, is the most accessible, secure way we can shop independently.
I will personally be contacting these companies for myself. I have already located many of the CEO emails. I would be happy to provide the ones I have. I hope others consider your voices being heard.
Regards, JP

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Comments

By Siobhan on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

Hi. I've read about apple pay since it's launch, and I'm not able to use it yet, so I can't comment on how cool it is. I admit to being very skeptical, though the issues they have had are pretty easy. I see this as no diffrent then what to charge for an item you may find in one store, or the same item not being found in another. Until I can get something apple pay related, I'm not that interested in the new iPads only because I have little use for in app purchases. I'll comment when I know more, but I see simply someone like one type of car, another likes a different one. I may be off on that last one, I admit but seriously until we know how the new payment system works, we really don't have to much of a cross to bare do we? Just asking not starting anything. P.s. if like accepting different credit cards they do accept apple pay awesome. Besides maybe the nfc tech can only be used to accept one form of apyment so they chose the larger maybe better option? just a thought out loud.

By Chessie the Ra… on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

While I don’t think the blocking of Apple Pay is an assault on the disability community, it is very troubling nonetheless. My suspicion is that retailers don’t like Apple Pay because it is very secure and very private; they’d much rather track your every purchase, your health data, and who-knows-what-else.

With that said, I fully expect CurrentC to pose usability challenges to people who are blind--even if all the buttons are properly labeled and the app is made "accessible" to VoiceOver and Talkback users. If my understanding of how CurrentC works--based on this TechCrunch article--is accurate, the user opens the app, activates the barcode scanner, then scans a code displayed on the POS terminal. From there, the CurrentC app generates a second QR code, which the cashier scans in to complete the payment process.

From a usability perspective, I’m questioning how useable such a system will be for blind and low vision users. (Heck, even sighted tech bloggers are wondering how useable the system will be—and that is, I assume, for people with sight.) I know I certainly won’t be trying CurrentC, mainly because, as explained, it seems overly complicated. The idea of trying to scan in QR codes, as a blind person, seems just as difficult—if not more so—than asking a cashier to assist you in entering your credit card pin.

But, this is all beyond the point. I would love to see CurrentC fail miserably, and unfortunately it looks like I’ll have to wait several more months before the show gets underway. If CurrentC launches and it isn’t accessible, I won’t be losing any sleep—as that will be just one more nail in the coffin for a payments service whose only true mission is to make it easier for retailers to exploit consumers.

By J.P. on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

Assault too strong a word. I don't think it was deliberate, just not fully thought from all angles.
These companies are trying to shut-out Visa and the other C.C. and yes collect more data on consumers.
Yes, there will be accessibility related issues with this method. Not to mention, Fortune did story on QR payment this morning. It was tried in China. It was forced to stop. QR code payments can be hacked by introducing Trojan horses... Not secure

By Mike Freeman on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

I am of the opinion that anyone who thinks one form of transaction is truly as secure as Apple claims ApplePay to be is ripe for having someone sell him/her a bridge. Frankly (and I realize that my opinion is that of a minority), I don't think we will *ever* truly get away from the necessity of using some form of assistance in making purchases using electronic means. and this includes online transactions. the only way to be truly secure is to disconnect from the electronic world and pay with cash -- yes, cash.

That's not going to happen. but I can't get overly exercised because some merchants won't accept ApplePay. Frankly, I think it will flop just as its competition will next year.

Just my opinion. No offense meant to anyone.

By riyu12345 (not verified) on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

I don't know how it is in America, but over here in the UK. To put in your pin, you have a machine, which if you're lucky has a dot on the five. you put your pin in as normal. SO press buttons. Hear a beep sound, every time you press a number again if you're lucky and press enter. So I don't understand how this is a bad system. Also, all the shop keepers see are stars. So how is this bad? I like the idea of apple pay, it will be fast. If it comes out over here. But I'm okay when paying with my pin. If someone from America can explain how they would enter there pin, that might help us in the UK to understand if it's the same or not. I don't want to afend just stating my opinion.

By Siobhan on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

Hi. Ok first, there are touch screen devices using a stylus pen, you touch each number, not accessible at all. In fact when faced with that I run a card as credit rather then debit, to avoid anything. Second, if you look at the customer's hand, you can see she pushed four, seven one, zero or whatever the pin hapened to be. I am impressed that apple pay had very little hiccups except with BOFA, which i use, and I can't remember the other one, but soon enough everything was ironed out. To be that flawless is astounding. My only reservation now, because the android versus apple fight. So you accept one form of payment but not the other you're already starting a payment war and it hasn't even rolled out yet. We have months of what ifs to contend with before anything is even known about this other payment system. As i said, until i have knowledge and can do it myself or want to, I won't know how it works.

By sockhopsinger on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

Brad: The problem we have is that a lot of merchants in the U.S. are using a system that requires a PIN, but the keypads are all touch screens. That is the biggest problem I face.

By Usman on Friday, November 21, 2014 - 17:14

One thing to note that here in the US, we can only use the machine if using a debit card. I will often just stick to my credit card so this method is unapplicable.
Secondly, it is also worth pointing out that apple pay is very new. the transaction will become smoother over time so let's just be patient folks!

By Jo Billard on Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 17:14

This post is like eight years old and now just about every store I've wanted to pay with Apple Pay accepts it.

By Bruce Harrell on Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 17:14

Joe. I laughed when I read your post. Personally, I really don't have any problem using cash. In fact, I prefer cash, or if I must, I use a credit card. The merchant pays 3 percent when we use our credit cards, too. Smile.

Shop with your feet. Shop with your wallet. Both work just fine.

By Jo Billard on Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 17:14

I also like to have options. I've just found it faster to pay with my phone, and there are still those who are leery about handling cash. I'm just glad the original post wasn't current.