CVS Launches Barcode-Based 'CVS Pay' in Lieu of Apple Pay

[MacRumors]

Apple Pay holdout CVS today introduced CVS Pay, a new barcode-based mobile payment solution that integrates payment, prescription pickup, and its ExtraCare loyalty program into a single scan at checkout. CVS Pay is built into the newly updated CVS Pharmacy app for iOS and Android devices.

CVS Pay works with all major U.S. credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express, in addition to debit, Health Savings Account, and Flexible Spending Account cards. All verifications for prescriptions and payment like a signature or PIN occur within the CVS Pharmacy app.

After adding their credit or debit cards to the app, customers can show the store associate a barcode, or pickup number at drive-thru locations, to initiate payment. The associate will scan the barcode, ring up the purchases, let the customer choose a stored payment method, and then process the payment.

CVS Pay is the pharmacy chain's first official mobile payments solution. CVS officially disabled Apple Pay shortly following its U.S. launch, prompting a response from Apple and even a potential class action lawsuit. At the time, CVS was committed to MCX and its indefinitely postponed payments solution CurrentC.

CVS Pay launches today in select markets, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and a nationwide rollout to its over 9,600 pharmacy locations in the U.S. is expected to begin later this year. CVS Pharmacy is free on the App Store [Direct Link] for iPhone, with a companion Apple Watch app available.

Top Image: CVS Health via Fortune

Article Link: CVS Launches Barcode-Based 'CVS Pay' in Lieu of Apple Pay

 

[DaveOP]

This type of stuff is what caused me to stop shopping there entirely, and I only visit Walgreens now.

 

[jacobh101]

Why invest in NFC terminals at every location if you aren't going to allow the use of it by your customers?

 

[Derekuda]

Apple Pay is a bust. I'm glad. I hate mobile payments. Cash is king!!!

 

[dannyyankou]

They just lost a customer

And it doesn't even have Wallet support. Amazing.

 

[Archmage]

"In favor of"? I think you mean "in lieu of" or I just don't have enough coffee in me yet and didn't understand the article.

 

[smacrumon]

Yep, make things complicated for the customer. That's real smart...

 

[Jeremy1026]

Can I double tap my home button to bring up this payment option? No. Then no thanks CVS.

 

[Schwyz]

CVS has an app?

 

[2457282]

This type of stuff is what caused me to stop shopping there entirely, and I only visit Walgreens now.

There are sooooooo many reasons why I avoid CVS and this is just one example.

 

[rjohnstone]

Yeah no... they just need to enable the tap and pay system and be done with it.
This crap will fail.

 

[gsmornot]

I get what they are doing here, its integrating the need for tracking with the ability to pay. Why not accept other electronic payment types like Apple Pay and see which one the customer prefers.

 

[tasset]

Haven't shopped there since the CurrenC debacle either. Walgreens gets my business now. I'm sure all these WalmartPay/TargetPay/CVSpay data grabs will be internally justifiable by each megacorp for the foreseeable future and all the rubes looking to save a nickel will use it. Hoping that the credit cards/banks step up and force merchants to enable NFC eventually though.

 

[Zorn]

Cool! Another convoluted QR code nonsense-pay solution! I'll stick to Walgreens for my $9 milk and $4 candy bars.

 

[Schwyz]

They just lost a customer

Why? They never supported Apple Pay in the first place. The only thing that's new is their pathetic attempt to create something similar.

 

[hybroid]

It's just a matter of time till they adopt Apple Pay.......

 

[smacrumon]

You'd think that all merchants would want to offer as many straightforward payment methods to take customer payments. What is the point of road blocking when it comes to receiving payment for goods or services?

 

[dannyyankou]

Why? They never supported Apple Pay in the first place. The only thing new is their pathetic attempt to create something similar.

I've only used them for their extrabucks rewards. But doing the math, I save more just by going to Target because most of the same stuff I buy is like 2/3 the cost.

 

[azentropy]

Do people shop at CVS enough that they would want to configure yet another Pay App? I know I don't.

 

[S.B.G]

The supermarket I shop at started using Apple Pay earlier this year and I really like it a lot. Too bad other retailers like Walmart and CVS refuse to adopt it. I went to Walmart to buy a Roku 4 a few months ago and didn't realize they weren't using it and asked the clerk if I could use Apple Pay and was informed that it wasn't available. Its nice being able to leave my wallet behind and only carry my phone to the store and pay with that.

 

[5097842]

I've been going to CVS for so long, I figured I'd give them the benefit of the doubt that they'd turn on Apple Pay once the CurrentC fiasco played out.

But this is just consumer hostile. They have NFC terminals, they actually used to work until Apple Pay was first released, and now they still refuse to turn NFC back on.

Count me in as another switching to Walgreens. It's closer to my new house anyway.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I get what they are doing here, its integrating the need for tracking with the ability to pay. Why not accept other electronic payment types like Apple Pay and see which one the customer prefers.

Because if they give you choice, you may choose the one that isn't this.

 

[captain cadet]

I dont get how is that quicker or more secure. you have to pull out your phone and then find an app and then open it and press buy... Apple Pay you just put it up to the ATM and put your finger on the home button.
Also what about people just using normal QR codes that are generated that linked to other peoples accounts?

 

[Eidorian]

This type of stuff is what caused me to stop shopping there entirely, and I only visit Walgreens now.

They closed the local Walgreens. I can walk to two CVS nearby but I'd need to drive to Walgreens.

This is just a customer loyalty thing and the best thing to do is not to participate in it.

 

[mattopotamus]

Sliding a card, chip and pin, Apple Pay, Samsung pay, CVS pay. The entire payment system is a nightmare.

It's hard enough to pull out a card and swipe now. I don't have time to see what payment method works. It's easier to shop online.