CVS Stores Reportedly Disabling NFC to Shut Down Apple Pay and Google Wallet

[bpcookson]

True. The price of convenience. iPhone users pay the same price plus Apple premium. All I'm saying is that the premium is ridiculously high for such a minor thing.

If I was already going to buy this device for other reasons, then am I really paying a premium to be able to use Apple Pay? No, it's just a bonus.

And nobody is buying an iPhone 6 just to use Apple Pay, so your argument falls on its face; the premium you speak of is nonexistent.

 

[mobiletomobile]

Feedback

CVS
http://www.cvs.com/help/email-customer-relations.jsp?callType=store&topicid=200018


Rite-Aid
https://www.riteaid.com/customer-support/contact-us

 

[StyxMaker]

I'm pretty sure I saw the twitter suggestion in one if those 2400 posts...

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Granted I am slow, but I figured out the plan when I read it the 10th time. Okay, maybe it was like the 15th time, but my point is, unicorns are real. I saw one coming out of my bathtub drain yesterday.

Twitter has been woefully underrepresented on this thread.

 

[sracer]

Nonsense, it has to do with the strong-armed way of pushing the anti-consumer MCX system. Most people don't care much about Apple Pay or contactless, really. But we do care about making sure MCX fails.

Where was this concern about MCX two weeks ago? It was only when they dared defy Apple that caused people to lose their minds.

 

[StyxMaker]

Not from the user standpoint. I have the Starbucks app and when I walk into a Starbucks I touch Id into my phone, tap passbook when I have placed right on the front homepage and tap my Starbucks card then flip my phone around for the cashier to scan. All in less time than it takes me to say my order.



As I said, really not that much worse than using Apple Pay.

If the Starbucks is selected as one of your favorites all you have to do is swipe it on the lock screen and the card will be displayed.

 

[iososx]

No its to ensure our privacy. Do you really want CurrentC going though phone contacts and health information etc...

Privacy?

This is the most hilarious torrent of passionate nonsensical posts yet.

Surely you jest... ha... ha... ha...

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Where was this concern about MCX two weeks ago? It was only when they dared defy Apple that caused people to lose their minds.

Brilliant!

 

[Naimfan]

Privacy?

From what I can see, Apple Pay seems quite a bit more private and secure than CurrenC.

 

[charlituna]

You clearly don't understand the issue.

Oh I understand the issue. Perhaps more than you do. Because I understand that the average customer, even the average smartphone user, isn't on sites like this. And the average customer isn't so lazy that a couple more taps is going to sway them not to use this service. Making the real issue of blocking this service one of educating those average folks to the greater flaws.

I also understand that you too can't be bothered to read and reply to things in context. Why bother doing that when it takes more time and effort and might deprive you of trying to correct me about my "ignorance"

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If the Starbucks is selected as one of your favorites all you have to do is swipe it on the lock screen and the card will be displayed.

I don't allow access to anything on my lock screen but even without I'm not so lazy that the added effort is a big deal.

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Where was this concern about MCX two weeks ago? It was only when they dared defy Apple that caused people to lose their minds.

MCX is so far from live that most folks likely had no clue it existed as a thought before this. Thus why the ire is just now happening. The games brought MCX to everyone's attention

 

[Tumbleweed666]

Where was this concern about MCX two weeks ago? It was only when they dared defy Apple that caused people to lose their minds.

The concern was when they switched off NFC. So, not just no Apple Pay.

• No Google Wallet.
• No NFC enabled credit cards.
• No new tech which puts all your cards in one NFC enabled credit card sized gadget.

Nothing, nada. All because they want your data. And, they want to pass all the fraud responsibility on to you. All this with bleeding edge 2005 technology that will fail. This puppy wont even be DOA. It will be Dead Before Arrival.

It would have failed anyway as its so insecure and kludgy, but before puttting it on show in the judges tent they've taken it round the back, stomped on it and put a dozen bullets through its head with this utterly crass action.

 

[caesarp]

Oh I understand the issue. Perhaps more than you do. Because I understand that the average customer, even the average smartphone user, isn't on sites like this. And the average customer isn't so lazy that a couple more taps is going to sway them not to use this service. Making the real issue of blocking this service one of educating those average folks to the greater flaws.

Are you sure you understand? Cause its way more than a couple of taps.

CurrentC:

1. Wake phone
2. tap CurrentC App
3. enter passcode
4. Press the Pay button
5. Either scan the Secure Paycode that the cashier presents (default) or press the Show button at the bottom of your screen to allow the cashier to scan your Secure Paycode.
6. Select the payment account that you would like to use
7. Press the Pay Now button

Apple Pay:

1. Hold phone near NFC reader while holding TouchID button (ta dah -- DONE!).

Not to mention greater security with Apple Pay and not having to provide your Social Security Number and Drivers' license number to add an account. Source you ask? Right here:

http://support.currentc.com/

The average consumer, will certainly not want to use CurrentC and tie it to a bank account directly either, as opposed to continuing to use credit cards.

 

[sracer]

The concern was when they switched off NFC. So, not just no Apple Pay.

• No Google Wallet.
• No NFC enabled credit cards.
• No new tech which puts all your cards in one NFC enabled credit card sized gadget.

Nothing, nada. All because they want your data. And, they want to pass all the fraud responsibility on to you. All this with bleeding edge 2005 technology that will fail. This puppy wont even be DOA. It will be Dead Before Arrival.

It would have failed anyway as its so insecure and kludgy, but before puttting it on show in the judges tent they've taken it round the back, stomped on it and put a dozen bullets through its head with this utterly crass action.

There are many, many more NFC-equipped Android smartphones that are affected than iPhones, but I'm not seeing anywhere near the same vitriol from Android owners. More than a few here have or are advocating disrupting checkout lines in order to "make a statement". That's from iPhone users, I'm not seeing it from Android users.

 

[chrisbru]

Your rant has no factual basis at all. You are heavily biased and are not seeing the very obvious dilemma that small businesses are in.

So... you're going to diminish my statements by calling it a "rant," proclaim it has no factual basis, that I'm biased, and not seeing something, but then not provide any further commentary? Looks like you're grasping at straws and ignoring the real point at hand - ApplePay is a secure way for stores to accept forms of payment, and does so at the same or less than those stores are currently paying to accept credit cards. So blocking ApplePay for a not-yet-released solution makes no sense. Even with the "very obvious dilemma that small businesses are in", if they accept credit cards, there is no reason to block Apple Pay.

Maybe you are conflating my point, though, as you continue to talk about small businesses - we're talking about CVS and RiteAid here, which are not small at all. My point is that business who accept credit cards and have NFC capable machines have no reason to block NFC/ApplePay.

MCX will not be some sort of turning point for small business that solves this "very obvious dilemma" that you speak of. And even if it magically becomes one, it doesn't have any weight in the conversation currently at hand.

This whole conversation stemmed from the following:

Epic perfect timing? lol

Looks like it based on the uptake and enthusiasm by retailers. Better to take the chipped cards directly and not have to give Apple a cut of their profits.

You've spun it out of control, but to bring it back in, taking chipped cards directly or accepting Apple Pay both cost a retailer the same exact amount. There is no additional cut of profits that has to be paid because of Apple Pay.

 

[nateo200]

I find it interesting that someone mentioned they went to use an American credit card in the UK and the merchants thought it was strange...do Brits walk around with a ton of cash all the time? I don't see how that makes any sense....

As a pharmacist, I really wish doctors would not tell patients that their prescription will be ready when they get to the pharmacy. We are busy and are waiting on lots of people, we might not have even had a chance to look at that prescription before they have walked in.

How would you like it if I told them they could go to your office and walk right in and talk to you, no wait?

BUT I WANT MY PRESCRIPTION EARLY DAMMIT! Just kidding, some of you pharmacists are saints...people are insane sometimes.

 

[AllieNeko]

Where was this concern about MCX two weeks ago? It was only when they dared defy Apple that caused people to lose their minds.

On other forums. It wasn't relevant here two weeks ago. But you better believe it was already a huge concern of mine.

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I find it interesting that someone mentioned they went to use an American credit card in the UK and the merchants thought it was strange...do Brits walk around with a ton of cash all the time? I don't see how that makes any sense....

American cards usually have no PIN and often don't even have an EMV chip thus the strange reaction.

 

[yg17]

I find it interesting that someone mentioned they went to use an American credit card in the UK and the merchants thought it was strange...do Brits walk around with a ton of cash all the time? I don't see how that makes any sense....

Most American cards don't have chips.

 

[DarkCole]

Don't just complain in the forum, complain to CVS and Rite Aid!

http://www.cvs.com/help/email-customer-relations.jsp?callType=store&topicid=200018

and

https://www.riteaid.com/customer-support/contact-us


If they get a FLOOD of complaints, they will surely reconsider. Share these links everywhere!

REMEMBER, be POLITE! Do NOT use profanity. Do not make "ugly" threats. Simply tell them you are disappointed and frustrated they have decided not to support Apple Pay. Tell them that you disapprove of this decision and that you'll be shopping at Walgreens (they have embraced Apple Pay) until such time as CVS/Rite Aid reconsider.

Mark

Thanks for posting this.

 

[iososx]

From what I can see, Apple Pay seems quite a bit more private and secure than CurrenC.

All kidding aside other than thousands of emotional Apple devotees posting, this is a non issue.

Apple will outspend their way to continued dominance in any sector of any industry. They have the arrogance, determination and money to prevail no matter what their product is like.

They can bully their way through any situation.

 

[AppleScruff1]

They also locked down BT only for audio transmission, so? What's your point?
Apple implements hardware functionality according with their philosophy.
It's been an eternity with this approach. Customers are satisfied with that kind of walled garden and security is usually higher than in other environments. Customers are voting with their wallets.

NFC is for secure payments in Apple's view. Like it or not.
Personally I don't need NFC for anything else: I have a tablet and a phone with NFC full support and never used it. Never.

So then it's no big deal for CVS not to accept ApplePay according to your logic.

 

[samcraig]

Are you sure you understand? Cause its way more than a couple of taps.

CurrentC:

1. Wake phone
2. tap CurrentC App
3. enter passcode
4. Press the Pay button
5. Either scan the Secure Paycode that the cashier presents (default) or press the Show button at the bottom of your screen to allow the cashier to scan your Secure Paycode.
6. Select the payment account that you would like to use
7. Press the Pay Now button

Apple Pay:

1. Hold phone near NFC reader while holding TouchID button (ta dah -- DONE!).

Not to mention greater security with Apple Pay and not having to provide your Social Security Number and Drivers' license number to add an account. Source you ask? Right here:

http://support.currentc.com/

The average consumer, will certainly not want to use CurrentC and tie it to a bank account directly either, as opposed to continuing to use credit cards.

You need to stop spamming the board with the same post over and over. It's not only annoying, but against policy.

 

[Fenez]

All kidding aside other than thousands of emotional Apple devotees posting, this is a non issue.

Apple will outspend their way to continued dominance in any sector of any industry. They have the arrogance, determination and money to prevail no matter what their product is like.

They can bully their way through any situation.

Usually that would be true but, its not just one company that's adopting currentc its a number of large retailers.
It will be a battle.

 

[samcraig]

So then it's no big deal for CVS not to accept ApplePay according to your logic.

Of course it's a big deal when someone prohibits some of these posters from doing exactly what they want, when they want to do it and how they want to do it. Haven't you been paying attention. This has rocked their world. Some have loss sleep over it, no doubt!

 

[AppleScruff1]

Every company is, as part of its overall competitive strategy going to do things that make it harder for other companies to compete with them.

But what we have here is a couple of companies who have removed a service they previously offered to their customers (NFC payments) in an area that is not even core to their business. And one has to ask why.

It's pretty obvious to me that they are doing it only because they want to keep Apple Pay at bay until they can put their own substandard and less private payment method (my opinion) in place.

It's sneaky, nefarious and sleazy. And I refuse to reward them for it.

I would be interested to hear from you an example of Apple attempting to stifle competition when it's not a part of their core business. Seriously, because I know you often have a more measured and objective view than many who post on this site.

ApplePay is not part of Apple's core business at this point in time. Apple uses soldered memory on most of it's products, no SD cards on iOS devices forcing you to buy additional storage from Apple, no USB on iPad so you can't use a USB drive, etc, you must use iTunes with iOS devices, ApplePay only works with Apple devices, Apple never supported BluRay, Thunderbolt is pretty much a propriety connection just like FireWire. These are a few off the top of my head.

I don't know if I'd call it stifling competition, maybe supporting one's best interests would be more accurate. Obviously CVS has a reason to abandon ApplePay for their own most likely selfish reasons, just like Apple locks most things down to make one a captive customer.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I still can't believe they did this.

 

[tlevier]

Actually, it doesn't support credit cards. Only debit and bank accounts.

"CurrentC will offer customers the freedom to pay with a variety of financial accounts, including personal checking accounts, merchant gift cards and select merchant-branded credit and debit accounts. Additional payment options will be available in the coming months."

It may not offer support for bank issued credit cards to begin, but if they get enough of a foothold based on alternative payments, they'll negotiate a more favorable rate with Visa, MC, AMEX using their market power in the future.

 

[samcraig]

"CurrentC will offer customers the freedom to pay with a variety of financial accounts, including personal checking accounts, merchant gift cards and select merchant-branded credit and debit accounts. Additional payment options will be available in the coming months."

It may not offer support for bank issued credit cards to begin, but if they get enough of a foothold based on alternative payments, they'll negotiate a more favorable rate with Visa, MC, AMEX using their market power in the future.

There's also a misconception. No where have I read that stores will ONLY allow CurrenC. They might now allow NFC payments - but I would be very surprised if they decide to forbid credit card transactions. They just want to make sure if you want the convenience of paying by phone, that you use their method.