CVS and Rite Aid Officially Disable Apple Pay Support At Stores Nationwide

[ghostface147]

Not at all. MCX is a clunky product that uses easily hacked QR codes and works by using ACH to tie directly into your bank account. Further, to use MCX you must:

1. wake phone
2. open app
3. enter passcode
4. scan or "show" QR code
5. know that your personal data is being shared and used and abused by the merchant and its partners

To use Apple Pay:

1. hold phone up to NFC while at the same time holding finger over touchID button (ta dah -- all done).
2. know that your personal data is not shared with the merchant.

Now which do you think the masses will like better again? What advantage does MCX have?

While I disagree with CurrentC/MCX practices, one advantage they have is that a significantly higher amount of people have iPhones that don't support NFC than do. I can't speak for Google as I don't pay attention to which phones support Wallet or not. I think the Verizon ones have it crippled. Doesn't change the fact that people don't have the right to choose how to pay, the fact that it is a slower method of payment is crap and the fact they mandate that you cannot use competing payment systems if you are part of MCX is also crap and anti-competitive.

 

[samcraig]

If they allow CC transactions then it shouldn't matter what form my credit card i
comes in. What's the difference to retailers if I swipe a plastic card or hold my phone next to the payment terminal. At the end of the day it's still charging my credit card. The fact is MCX is anti-credit card and they don't want consumers to get used to slick solutions like Pay or Google Wallet that utilize credit cards.

If it shouldn't matter - than it's hard to prove collusion since there's no real damage to the credit card company's business.

At the end of the day - I would be incredible surprised if these retailers stop taking credit cards altogether and ONLY use cash or CurrenC. Extremely surprised. I don't think this is their gameplan. I think they plan is to minimize credit card use as much as possible by offering an alternative.

And as long as they accept CC payments - I don't think it falls under collusion.

 

[caesarp]

They will sign up for anything that only require them to fill out their names, phone numbers, emails and home address at most. CurrentC requires you to download an app, fill out your info, then your bank account and routing number (who remember these numbers? And I doubt an average customer know how to find them) etc... I don't think a little "extra discounts" would be that attractive for an "average customer" to go through all the trouble. I mean paying is a habit. An average person don't change their entire habit for a small change in benefit. And then there are doubts. Like you said, people's pocketbooks are involved. That would be too much trouble for one to change their paying habit, when, I'm sure the current system of physical credit cards, cash, a keyring full of miniature loyalty cards and coupons are still working for them, the average consumer.

If it's just a loyalty cards app, I'm sure they would sign up. But with that troublesome payment sign up process?? Uhmm

PLUS, to add an account to CrappyC (err, CurrentC) you have to provide your SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER and DRIVER'S LICENSE #.

Don't believe me? Read this and weep:

http://support.currentc.com/

5.Adding a New Payment Account - Checking Account (ACH)

"Want to pay with CurrentC using your checking account? Here’s how:
◦Open the CurrentC application
◦Enter your 4-digit Passcode
◦From the Home Screen select the Accounts button
◦Make sure the My Payment tab at the top of the screen is selected
◦Select the Add button
◾For iPhone and iTouch - The add button is a plus sign at the top right of the Accounts screen
◾For Android – Press your phone’s menu button
◦Click the Add Payment button
◦Select Checking Account from the list of account types
◦Enter your checking account information – Note: This information is not stored in your phone.
◦Enter your personal information – Note: Driver’s license number and social security number are used to confirm your identity. This information is not stored in your phone.
◦Select the Submit button"

 

[k995]

nearly any place there is a CVS there is a Walgreens a few minutes away, IMO Walgreens has become a better pharmacy / convenience store anyway.

CVS will change their tune when they report earnings next quarter and it's down... i'm not sure they see the impact Apple has on the world.

I really wonder how that meeting went internally to make that decision... heh.

I can't believe RiteAid is even still in business, won't be long now until they fold.

I think its more that you are over estimating the power apple has.

Now in the long run the might notice something, short term not a chance .

 

[Rogifan]

Of course that officer from MasterCard wants people to pay however they want to, because it always means more profit for them! MasterCard are certainly not doing it out of love!

And the stores said they are evaluating their options which is exactly what they should do, considering the costs involved.

What costs involved? CVS and Rite-Aid already had NFC capable terminals installed in their stores. They still accept credit cards, just not those same credit cards via someone's phone. As far as we know the fees they pay credit card companies haven't increased. So what costs are we talking about. If it's the credit card fees then why do they still accept credit cards? Perhaps because the public has decided they prefer credit cards? If CVS has an issue with Visa and MasterCard that's not my problem. If they accept those cards for payment they should accept them in any form whether it's a piece of plastic or a mobile phone.

 

[Southern Dad]

That is, until Walgreen's follows suit in about 2 to 3 months after they have captured the VERY FEW disgruntled apple pay fans that came over from CVS and RiteAid.

Walgreens has signed onto Apple Pay as one of the merchants that will accept it. Therefore, they are receiving advertising from that partnership with Apple. Personally, I want to get away from even carrying a wallet, let alone cards.

 

[rdlink]

If people wouldn't have realised that ApplePay "accidentally" works as well, they may not have disabled NFC altogether ..

It was no accident. Apple knew, and publicly stated they were going to benefit from the fact that there were already NFC readers in place. And I have several Android carrying friends who were begrudgingly welcoming Apple Pay, because their Android devices are now going to become more relevant in this regard.

 

[BruiserB]

CVS and Rite Aid Officially Disable Apple Pay Support At Stores Nationwide

Until MCX forces Target to shut it off.

I haven't heard that it has ever been turned on in any Target stores.

RiteAid/CVS could have avoided this fiasco if they had just turned off their NFC systems the day ApplePay was announced (but before release). They may have ticked off a few GoogleWallet users, but it would have been a lot more low key.

I bet this is why Apple didn't trumpet too loudly that ApplePay would work everywhere that took NFC. They didn't want any pre-release defense moves.

 

[JHankwitz]

So, what does MCX do with the information they collect from customers when they make a purchase with their system? They can't get your personal info from Apple Pay, so they naturally don't want to use it.

 

[Tzerlag]

I've moved my prescriptions to Walgreens. Now instead of making a left, I make a right. They are 230 ft apart in my town.

I hope you also call the CVS and tell the pharmacist or manager that you moved to Walgreen because the accept NFC.

Might as well let them know.

 

[cocky jeremy]

All that will do is annoy the 19 year old making $10/hour working the register. Douchey move.

.. and the'll complain to their boss... which will complain to HQ. If enough of them do it, they'll catch on.

 

[Rogifan]

If it shouldn't matter - than it's hard to prove collusion since there's no real damage to the credit card company's business.

At the end of the day - I would be incredible surprised if these retailers stop taking credit cards altogether and ONLY use cash or CurrenC. Extremely surprised. I don't think this is their gameplan. I think they plan is to minimize credit card use as much as possible by offering an alternative.

And as long as they accept CC payments - I don't think it falls under collusion.

It's stupid and makes no sense. If you're going to accept credit cards (and they all do) why does it matter if my credit card is a piece of plastic or a mobile phone. I can understand if you're a small business and can't afford these NFC capable POS terminals. But that certainly doesn't include the members of MCX.

 

[2010mini]

So, do I understand it right?
If I came to the U.S. und tried to pay with my debit card with NFC it wouldn't work, either?
Really stupid.
(Just in case: yes, I do pay 90% of my transactions with my NFC debit card, it's fast and secure, because I never give my card to anyone.
And yes: here in Poland this is 'standard')

You will find America is backwards when it comes to implementing new technology.

 

[MeFromHere]

This is not a forum for hackers. So I will not explain how it will be possible to hack your info using this method of payment. All I will say to those who fill safe using this method do not be surprise when this happens, if Apple even own up to breaches. I am aware of methods how hackers can get your info from this. Whether this is reasons why these stores decide to stop offering this form of payment to customers I do not know. I CAN SAY this is not as secure as they (Apple) would have customers to believe.

Thank you for coming to MacRumors and registering today just so you can tell us this crucial secret.

 

[Rogifan]

I haven't heard that it has ever been turned on in any Target stores.

RiteAid/CVS could have avoided this fiasco if they had just turned off their NFC systems the day ApplePay was announced (but before release). They may have ticked off a few GoogleWallet users, but it would have been a lot more low key.

I bet this is why Apple didn't trumpet too loudly that ApplePay would work everywhere that took NFC. They didn't want any pre-release defense moves.

It's hard to defend it when the POS terminals in their store are NFC capable.

 

[JHankwitz]

PLUS, to add an account to CrappyC (err, CurrentC) you have to provide your SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER and DRIVER'S LICENSE #.

Don't believe me? Read this and weep:

http://support.currentc.com/

5.Adding a New Payment Account - Checking Account (ACH)

"Want to pay with CurrentC using your checking account? Here’s how:
◦Open the CurrentC application
◦Enter your 4-digit Passcode
◦From the Home Screen select the Accounts button
◦Make sure the My Payment tab at the top of the screen is selected
◦Select the Add button
◾For iPhone and iTouch - The add button is a plus sign at the top right of the Accounts screen
◾For Android – Press your phone’s menu button
◦Click the Add Payment button
◦Select Checking Account from the list of account types
◦Enter your checking account information – Note: This information is not stored in your phone.
◦Enter your personal information – Note: Driver’s license number and social security number are used to confirm your identity. This information is not stored in your phone.
◦Select the Submit button"

So, they haven't stolen your identity, you just give them everything they need without question. Great Plan!

 

[caesarp]

Business Week has this right . . .

"Rite-Aid and CVS screwed up the optics on this one. It’s hard to argue that you’re doing right by your customers when you stop accepting a form of payment that you’ve already demonstrated presents no technical hurdles. They also don’t have an alternative to offer. CurrentC isn’t expected to be ready until 2015, and the specifics of the system aren’t public."

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-27/why-rite-aid-and-cvs-stopped-taking-apple-pay

The main stream press (not just tech sites) are now coming down hard against the drugstores on this one. We'll see how long until this short-sighted policy is reversed.

 

[samcraig]

It's stupid and makes no sense. If you're going to accept credit cards (and they all do) why does it matter if my credit card is a piece of plastic or a mobile phone. I can understand if you're a small business and can't afford these NFC capable POS terminals. But that certainly doesn't include the members of MCX.

I'm not arguing whether it make sense or not. I was pointing out that I don't think there can be any claim to collusion. These stores are still accepting credit cards.

Convenience isn't grounds for collusion, is it?

Now - I suppose the credit card companies can argue that they are being put in position of higher fraud risk, but given there's no data as of yet to support that, not sure they'd have a case now either.

 

[gadgetguy03]

PLUS, to add an account to CrappyC (err, CurrentC) you have to provide your SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER and DRIVER'S LICENSE #.

Don't believe me? Read this and weep:

http://support.currentc.com/

5.Adding a New Payment Account - Checking Account (ACH)

"Want to pay with CurrentC using your checking account? Here’s how:
◦Open the CurrentC application
◦Enter your 4-digit Passcode
◦From the Home Screen select the Accounts button
◦Make sure the My Payment tab at the top of the screen is selected
◦Select the Add button
◾For iPhone and iTouch - The add button is a plus sign at the top right of the Accounts screen
◾For Android – Press your phone’s menu button
◦Click the Add Payment button
◦Select Checking Account from the list of account types
◦Enter your checking account information – Note: This information is not stored in your phone.
◦Enter your personal information – Note: Driver’s license number and social security number are used to confirm your identity. This information is not stored in your phone.
◦Select the Submit button"

Aw hell no! There is no way I'm giving them that information...

 

[MrGuder]

So since CVS and Rite Aid at one point did accept Apple Pay in their stores, how do we know they didn't extract information from those sales and kept them in there systems and use them towards the CurrentC software?

I don't trust them because this whole process with CurrentC is to get your personal information from you.

 

[caesarp]

Rite-Aid's PR person - people should call her . . .

The NY Times and Business Week have quoted her. Her number is public, so why not call her and ask the reason for this decision (which her quotes to the press don't say):

Ashley Flower, 717/975-5718

Ashley Flower, a spokeswoman for Rite Aid, said the company "does not currently accept Apple Pay." Duh -- why not?

 

[aristokrat]

Strikes me as being a veiled threat.

If you must go to CVS or Rite Aid, pay in pennies and dimes. Maybe when you're holding up the queue for several minutes they'll appreciate the worldwide NFC standard. And actually tell them: "I would have paid with my phone in a couple of seconds, but you deliberately turned it off, so this is what you get."

I'd had a similar idea to this, but it was more troll-y: fill up a shopping cart (or 2 baskets, if carts aren't available) to the brim, take them to the counter, and when they say they don't take Apple Pay, tell them that's all you have and walk out without making a purchase. Have fun re-stocking the shelves!

Lost employee time and lost sales will make their way up the chain faster than hitting them with a big pile of coins.

 

[MeFromHere]

I... But, those stores have signed contracts with MCX. They are contractually obliged to block Apple Pay. Until either MCX is no longer a going concern, or the find a way to wriggle out of their contract they are stuck. ...

Fact or speculation? Please post a link to the standard MCX merchant contract.

I failed to find anything specifying the contract terms. I did easily find this press release from MCX, about the launch of CurrentC:
http://www.mcx.com/downloads/Merchant_Customer_Exchange_Unveils_Consumer_Brand_09032014.pdf

Apparently MCX is collectively owned by the member merchants.

 

[richardsonrs]

Not accepting money seems like a poor business decision.
It will be interesting to see how this works out for them.

YOU CAN STILL PAY WITH YOUR CARD LIKE YOU ALWAYS HAVE UP UNTIL 2 WEEKS AGO... NOBODY IS TURNING MONEY AWAY, YOU JUST CANT PAY WITH YOUR PHONE.

Seems like it needs to be in CAPS for some people to properly understand it..

 

[pc-proud]

Why is everyone here raising a big ole' stink about nfc being disabled at cvs, riteaid, etc.?? At the registers, they still have the card terminal for you to swipe your card.. I've never had a problem with that.. I'd be leery if the clerk said they needed to run my card behind the counter where I can't see it but just bc they have disabled nfc, no one wants to shop there anymore? Are ya'll mad bc now you have to carry your wallet or purses around (I've never seen a woman without a purse/clutch, so perhaps it's just the men complaining here). Is having to carry your wallet (with ID and cards) that big of a deal.. I don't care what they do, it's their business to do what they want. Don't like it, shop elsewhere. Are ya'll going to riot against small businesses that don't have an NFC terminal but still take the cards via a physical swipe? Just my 2 cents.