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Apple Pay Holdout Target Launches New In-App Mobile Payments System
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It is important to know that the EMV- NFC system that is the basis of both Apple Pay and Google Pay is not an Apple or Google product. It was invented by the MasterCard-Visa teams and is a industry standard. And NO Target is not supporting any NFC system,even though they have the equipment at every POS station in the company.
They have Apple Pay running in their back end because they use it in App and on the Web.The only place they do not support it is in store.
This is not about a proprietary technology, it is not even about technology, It's about a stubborn attempt to take advantage of the lack of adoption of proper Card processing technology in the US (and not the rest of the world- because they have it right) to be selfish and greedy, and to put the interests of Target ( even thought I do not think that they truly understand what their interests are) over the needs and interests of their customers. That does not sound smart to me. It also sounds like it is not going to work out well for them. I believe that when you don't give your customers what they need and want- someone else will.
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Probably not to the people who are already using Cartwheel. It is pretty much the same steps they were already using. This is targeting Cartwheel and Redcard users. Target doesn't care about the rest of their customers.
Walmart, who spearheaded the whole MCX/CurrentC effort, allows all major credit cards to fund Walmart Pay.
So, it's not even so hung up on the transaction fees any more, as long as customer data can be collected, which it has probably decided is worth enough to stomach the fees.
These payment systems are just extensions of the club/loyalty card concept that many retailers use. In exchange for discounts, and a bit of convenience, customers happily submit to data collection and profiling.
Anyone naive enough to think otherwise should, concerning Target in particular, read the story about the pregnant teenager whose parents were tipped off by Target before she even told them.
Credit cards still work at stores that accept them. Cash almost always works. For me, no need to willingly become entangled in any other methods that offer minimal benefit in return for my privacy.
Yes, of course checks are still widely accepted. My point is no one writes check for those kind of transactions anymore except the Bluehaired granny holding up the line in the grocery store. Even my 78 y.o. mom pays with plastic at the store or restaurant.
My bad for not clarifying. Numerous people, young and old, in different parts of Indiana, rural and urban, write checks for many different transactions, every day. It’s not just the bluehaired granny in the grocery store these days. The business owners I know state they’re having fewer problems with bad checks than fraudulent CC transactions. Another benefit? No transaction fees associated with checks.
I use ApplePay and Plastic. In a perfect world, everything works. But there have been times I’ve tried to make purchases and the merchants card reader was down. Having a checkbook let me walk out with the item instead of making another trip.
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Sure, but running to the ATM for cold hard cash every time you need it is inconvenient and takes more time out of your day. Especially at this time of year when people are buying more and have less time. Carrying around a thousand bucks in your pocket for a new TV doesn't seem wise either. Or even $800 for a new ipad or a bunch of gifts.
For a large company like Target, checks are electronic payments. The bank routing/account information is scanned at the register and submitted electronically and there are fees for these payments specifically from check guarantee companies such as Chexsystems. They take a percentage of each check to verify against a bad check database.
Let me break this down since most of you have no idea what you're talking about...
Previously, customers used the Target app for its Cartwheel feature. It's an incredibly useful loyalty program that's free, much like your Kroger or Safeway card. Everyday items from Target's Market Pantry brand (bread, cheese, milk, etc) were often marked down 5% if you used the app, but I often came across deals in the store that were 25-50% off. It could be anything. Diapers, snacks, cleaning supplies. These sales weren't advertised in the store, so it really was an awesome bonus to buy things for half price simply for scanning it with the app.
If you're a frequent Target shopper, you're already using the app and you already have a Red card, which gives you another 5% off everything you buy. At checkout, you'd typically hold your phone up so the cashier could scan your barcode at the end for Cartwheel savings, then you'd pay with your Red card. By adding the Red card into the app, it just makes the process even easier for people who already would be using the app.
If you understand the way this works, and you're a frequent Target shopper, the addition of the Red card feature is big news and a feature we love. And if you have kids, you understand just how great this is because Target is a favorite for parents and this app makes it easy to save money—sometimes hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
So go ahead and criticize a shopping process you don't even understand. Those of us who use the app LOVE the new streamlined checkout because we're already using both the app and the Red card.
Previously, customers used the Target app for its Cartwheel feature. It's an incredibly useful loyalty program that's free, much like your Kroger or Safeway card. Everyday items from Target's Market Pantry brand (bread, cheese, milk, etc) were often marked down 5% if you used the app, but I often came across deals in the store that were 25-50% off. It could be anything. Diapers, snacks, cleaning supplies. These sales weren't advertised in the store, so it really was an awesome bonus to buy things for half price simply for scanning it with the app.
If you're a frequent Target shopper, you're already using the app and you already have a Red card, which gives you another 5% off everything you buy. At checkout, you'd typically hold your phone up so the cashier could scan your barcode at the end for Cartwheel savings, then you'd pay with your Red card. By adding the Red card into the app, it just makes the process even easier for people who already would be using the app.
If you understand the way this works, and you're a frequent Target shopper, the addition of the Red card feature is big news and a feature we love. And if you have kids, you understand just how great this is because Target is a favorite for parents and this app makes it easy to save money—sometimes hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
So go ahead and criticize a shopping process you don't even understand. Those of us who use the app LOVE the new streamlined checkout because we're already using both the app and the Red card.
Gotcha. However, I’m referring to smaller mom and pop speciality stores, local florists, skilled tradespeople, diner/restaurants, etc. These folks don’t use check verification services; some don’t accept plastic
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I went into Target on Black Friday to buy an iPad a few years ago. I walked out with a good deal. Then a month later I discovered that Target, thanks to their lax security, had given my credit card number (along with a million others) to hackers, so my iPad came with the hassle of getting a new credit card and credit monitoring. Yay.
Had Apple Pay been a thing at the time, and had I been able to use it, I would not have had any worries when their porous security let hackers have a look. No new card necessary, no worries.
So you know what, Target? Screw you. I will consider shopping at your store again when you let me use Apple Pay. Hand all my personal information to your app? I'll just go to Kmart instead.
CVS hasn't gotten my credit card stolen (yet), but I actively avoid there, too, even though it's the only 24-hour drugstore in my town for the same reason. Ironically the independent place where I get all my prescriptions filled does take Apple Pay.
Had Apple Pay been a thing at the time, and had I been able to use it, I would not have had any worries when their porous security let hackers have a look. No new card necessary, no worries.
So you know what, Target? Screw you. I will consider shopping at your store again when you let me use Apple Pay. Hand all my personal information to your app? I'll just go to Kmart instead.
CVS hasn't gotten my credit card stolen (yet), but I actively avoid there, too, even though it's the only 24-hour drugstore in my town for the same reason. Ironically the independent place where I get all my prescriptions filled does take Apple Pay.
On the one hand I can't blame them for trying, but anyone averse to having lone hold-out companies such as Target or Walmart keeping all that collected customer data on their private servers should steer clear of the various proprietary store payment systems and stick to ApplePay.
I for one am not willing to give up my purchase history and privacy for a few coupons.
Here in Australia nearly every terminal is contactless even in shops like Target. It really does amaze me that they’ve gone ahead and developed a competing payment option.. I think there’s an opening for Apple to improve the Wallet app for loyalty cards / coupons and there would be no need to ever install an app such as this.
In the app, it asks for my PIN or Face ID. That’s not “totally unprotected” in order that "anyone can open it and get to the stupid barcode."
What I see here is preference and you have choice. If you want to use redcard - fine. If not, fine. You have consumer choice and can go anywhere. Everyone up in arms about stupid payment options or non options is just silly.
It asks for your PIN to add your card to the app; after that you just open the app and scan the barcode. That is totally unprotected.
Not opposed to shopping at Target. Just have never beenI miss the Kmart in our little corner of the world
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Start laughing. I live in Indiana and lots of chain restaurants, grocery stores, mom & pop businesses, etc., in cities and towns; small and large, take checks.
BTW, I'm 40+ years younger than 98.
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Anytime you buy something with anything but cash someone has your purchase history. There is no electronic privacy anymore.
I gave this a shot last night. There was no indication that it was live - no language on the register (I used self checkout) anywhere indicating how or when to use it.
It worked fine, surprisingly. After scanning my item, I selected card pay on the self checkout lane...then grabbed the scanning gun and scanned the barcode. It beeped, accepted the payment and spit out a receipt.
Pretty easy overall, but no indication that it should have worked.
Target REDcard is not a credit card. It is a debit card linked to your checking/saving account. There is no interest charged.
They probably have gold stars there if you would like to purchase some as I am out