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

[ScottHammet]

I don't shop there but I suspect some will stop shopping there now, like they did Rite Aid. Just why would you stop money coming into your business?

Exactly. Mix three parts Loyal, Vocal, and Affluent customer base (Apple), with one part Merchant Protecting Its Own Payment Scheme (Rite-Aid, CVS, Walmart, etc.), and what do you get? A lot of Happy Walgreens Customers.

Walgreens has been my go-to pharmacy for forever, but I'd shop at the others if it was on my way when going somewhere, or convenient for a quick stop. But Both Rite-Aid and CVS can say goodbye to that.

 

[caesarp]

NY Times Now reporting on this ...

Great quote from the article:

“Clearly Rite Aid and CVS are making a business decision over a customer satisfaction decision,” said Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights & Strategy.

He added that the move could upset consumers who believe Apple’s new product is easier and safer than paying with a traditional credit card.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/t...e-apple-pay-as-a-rival-makes-plans-.html?_r=0

And per the NY times article here is the PR contact at rite aid for this: Ashley Flower, 717-975-5718

Call and ask why rite aid won't accept Apple Pay,she doesn't say why in her quote. Also, she gives out her cell number if you call her desk.

 

[machtv]

Care to qualify that statement? I've done my own analysis of Pay and despite not all the details being available, it seems pretty secure to me, and I do information security/encryption for a living.




Oh, my... Bro, do you even read?

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/04/bitcoin-bank-flexcoin-closes-after-hack-attack

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/18/history-of-bitcoin-hacks-alternative-currency

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/19/5183356/how-to-steal-bitcoin-in-three-easy-steps

(Love this statement: "Bitcoin heists are actually not uncommon. In June of 2011, a user named Allinvain was the victim of what is arguably the first recorded major Bitcoin theft. Allinvain awoke to find that a hacker had stolen about half a million dollars’ worth of bitcoins. “I feel like killing myself now,” he wrote at the time.")

$1.2M Hack Shows Why You Should Never Store Bitcoins on the Internet


Let's also consider the fact that you can pay with Bitcoin in about as many places in the world as you can with seashells...

thoes hacks are not on bitcoin network itself. but on bitcoin currency exchanges. like mtgox. it is impossible to hack bitcoins period. here maybe this will help
http://youtu.be/ZloHVKk7DHk?list=PLzctEq7iZD-7-DgJM604zsndMapn9ff6q

 

[tkatz]

I am a contractor that works in the greater New York area in mostly expensive home and chooses to make cash deals to help my customers pay less. Never said I didn't have a bank account. Just said I deal mostly in cash, roughly 90 to 95%.. People never complain about it. My wife and kids used debit and credit cards, I don't.

My apologies then, hadn't considered the contractor job. Your original comment was a bit misleading as you said you only deal in cash and don't accept payments by any other method (which was a bit hard to believe that you wouldn't get paid by checks).

 

[doelcm82]

Just bought a vehicle 2 weeks ago...got it for 30% cheaper than he wanted.... Cash...bought a new guitar a few months ago, price went from 2grand to 1500 in seconds, as soon as I said "how much is in cash"..
Like I said I know I'm in the minority but if you truly want to not be tracked and like to pay less, use cash for major purchases. My wife and daughters swipe for everything. Nothing wrong with it but I save thousands a year just using cash.

Cash is great for buying illegal drugs, for tipping exotic dancers, and other "personal services". You don't want to explain to the person from Hyderbad that yes, Mona the Dominatrix, inc. (or Jack the High Colonic Plumber) is a valid charge when the credit card company flags it as possibly fraudulent.

 

[samcraig]

Rite Aid did this to themselves. The customers complain where they can. Its tacky to let this issue completely overshadow the work theyve done with BC victims. They shouldve known better. They couldve waited a few days to drop the hammer if BC victims were that important to them past their photo op.

It's very easy to post on FB. You don't need to attach it to a thread about breast cancer survivors.

It's tacky.

You want to voice your opinion on twitter, facebook, etc - it's not hard to start your own thread. You don't need to attach it to something completely unrelated. I'm amused by the ones that commented on products being marketed. Comments like "I would have loved to have bought this in your store - but I'll get it at Walgreens instead since you don't take Apple Pay." Those comments in that thread are appropriate. And quite funny.

It says a lot more about the poster than the company when they make those comments in an inappropriate thread.

 

[SusanK]

I own 2 collision shops and we take all credit card and checks, and we will be putting in NFC. I believe my customers will not only like to use it, some may demand it! I've said here several times, but I'll say it again, why would any business limit how they take money to get paid!

Off topic, I'm happy to hear you were happy with the shops repairs. I'm just surprised this day & age they're not at the very least taking credit cards. To your other issue with over pay under repair, I'm not sure of your situation but good quality collision shops do not under repair! I can tell you one sad thing in the collision industry, is insurance companies not paying to repair cars properly! Unfortunately this is a whole other conversation I would love to have with the right people!!!!!

rsocal,

Thanks for the post. I wish you could have that conversation with insurance companies, too. Please start with Liberty Mutual. Bandits!

LM was not the insurer on this claim. State Farm did right by me. The signature shop was odd.

Car was damaged left front, bumper dented, fender scratched, door out of alignment, headlight out of alignment, hood misaligned.

Signature shop wrote estimate for bumper only stating that the other damage was not collision related.

I asked mechanic for a referral. He sent me to the shop that did the work. They did their own estimate. SF sent an adjuster. SF adjuster disallowed the hood. Body shop aligned the hood as a courtesy. Body shop charged their original amount which was less than SF estimate.

I'm in Ohio. Insurance companies are terrible here. I'm almost afraid to stop for a light anymore. Moving target

I agree about payment methods. Take anything negotiable. The CVS Rite Aid decision is sort of strange. Payment is payment. Maybe there are contractual obligations.

Thanks again for your post. Much appreciated!

 

[mj1108]

I hope your not being serious, but don't see any sarcasm tags.

In the event you are, or people seem to believe you, the fact that these locations have had NFC terminals for quite some time and they have been working all along goes to show how much traction ApplePay has. ApplePay uses the same basic infrastructure as Google Wallet, PayPass, PayWave, etc... which have been working for years. All of a sudden people are using their iPhones to make purchases and now its a problem. This shows that MCX is afraid that this ApplePay thing might actually catch on, validating the whole NFC payment thing in the US. ApplePay uses a version of EMV and if that catches on and more implementations spring up (which is possible since its all the same back end) then it makes CurrentC less attractive (not that it is at all anyway).

If ApplePay had no traction then they would have just left the systems on and accepting payments. You can argue that GoogleWallet, PayPass and PayWave had no traction since they didn't care when people were using those. Now that people are using ApplePay, its a problem. I'd say thats pretty good traction.

I don't see how anyone can at all argue in favor of MCX on this one. Regardless of your views on either system, both systems should be allowed to run their course. Thats how competition works, right? Run NFC along side CurrentC and let the public decide which one they prefer. If your going to accept credit cards anyway (via magstripe swipe) then your already paying the transaction fees and ApplePay doesn't cost anything extra. MCX see's the writing on the walls that their system is going to fall on its face and are having a panic reaction.

All disabling NFC systems going to do is cause payment system fragmentation and that is simply lose-lose for everyone.

Bingo. Bravo. Could not have said it better myself.

 

[samcraig]

Cash is great for buying illegal drugs, for tipping exotic dancers, and other "personal services". You don't want to explain to the person from Hyderbad that yes, Mona the Dominatrix, inc. (or Jack the High Colonic Plumber) is a valid charge when the credit card company flags it as possibly fraudulent.

Speaking from experience?

The guy you're responding to made an excellent case. No need to belittle his post.

 

[tkatz]

It's not worth your time explaining this. Half the people in this thread don't want to understand this issue- they just want to insult and demean anyone they disagree with.

When this article was first posted, I strongly expected all of MacRumors to be united on this one- I thought that the contingency of Android users on this site would be concerned that the future of NFC payments was being threatened. Turns out a large number of people here just can't resist immaturely bashing others, even while such a promising technology is being threatened by those who want no part in protecting our privacy and securing our data.

Fact of the matter is, a good number of regulars in these forums visit for the sole purpose of getting under the skin of people who like Apple. You're never going to engage them in an honest discussion about this issue.

I agree. I had thought this would finally be something that users of both iOS and Android based devices could get on the same side about. Since the argument is always about choice and this is clearly something where choice is being limited.

But you're right. Its the internets and people seem to just like to see if they can annoy others. After ~2000 posts it finally got to me and I had a weak moment and decided to try to knock some sense around.

 

[machtv]

Uhhh, what planet are you living on? Because on planet earth...

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iPhone 6 lines in NYC are still bigger than big a month after launch

iPhone 6 demand continues to outstrip supply, may not see balance before 2015

Is Apple Nearing 20 Million iPhone 6 Sales Already? Signs Point To Yes



I'm gonna let the above speak for itself.

that's the returns line for all peeps who had there iphones bend.

 

[Orion1]

As a non-american living in the US I come from the world of Chip and Pin, swipe and signature (or swipe and nothing...) doesn't really make me feel safe.

I don't care if I'm liable or not, I don't want someone to get to my card information (thank you, whoever you are, who bought a ticket on United on my Chase card last spring), it makes my feel unsafe. If there is a safer version of payment, I want to use it. I feel safe using Apple Pay and I feel confused when a company doesn't want my money (be it credit card, ApplePay or...) or are hostile towards technology.

Across the street from where I live I have a Walgreens and a CVS, next to my office there is a CVS and a Walgreens, they have the same price and same stuff. It doesn't take much to choose one or the other.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Great quote from the article:

“Clearly Rite Aid and CVS are making a business decision over a customer satisfaction decision,” said Patrick Moorhead, president of Moor Insights & Strategy.

He added that the move could upset consumers who believe Apple’s new product is easier and safer than paying with a traditional credit card.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/t...e-apple-pay-as-a-rival-makes-plans-.html?_r=0

Cutting out the visa/mc and banks was never going to happen. Its not going to benefit customers in terms of lowering prices. They want to cut out te CC companies and data mine. No thanks.

There needs to be a law blocking merchants from using consumer data in any way unless they get a consumers express written consent.

 

[Fenez]

Speaking from experience?

The guy you're responding to made an excellent case. No need to belittle his post.

Thanks....he doesn't seem to understand exactly what I said.. Seems my clarification wasn't clear enough... I have never been in a strip club in my life...I have 3,daughters and would be ashamed to even think about someone having to dance for me for money..although seems like someone frequents them and knows how the drug trade works.

 

[ctdonath]

The right analogy would be Apple was saved when they purchased NeXT...

And yes Apple was save because THEY "purchased" NeXT

Yes. I remember watching both deals a they happened. While it looked like X bought Y, it was really Y assimilating & taking over X. Disney and Apple needed to be preserved externally but Jobs basically took them over.

 

[doelcm82]

Speaking from experience?

The guy you're responding to made an excellent case. No need to belittle his post.

Yes, I have tipped exotic dancers before. Using cash. It's been a while, though.

 

[caesarp]

Cutting out the visa/mc and banks was never going to happen. Its not going to benefit customers in terms of lowering prices. They want to cut out te CC companies and data mine. No thanks.

There needs to be a law blocking merchants from using consumer data in any way unless they get a consumers express written consent.

I think you have to opt in under CrappyC for some of the data sharing. But still not an experience that I would want over Apple Pay.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Apple should deny the ConsumerC application certification and availability to the AppStore.

Then file an anti-trust lawsuit with Google against the Retailers.

 

[ProfessorHenry]

Delusion is continuing to claim the iPhone costs $1000. Unless you'd like to qualify that to non-US dollars.

Please! You're embarrassing yourself.

 

[osofast240sx]

that's the returns line for all peeps who had there iphones bend.

and u believe that?

 

[powers74]

I know I'm in the minority but.... I only use cash period and never any other form of payment, don't even have a debit card. Cash is king. I only accept cash as payment as well.

You and my dad would get along great!

 

[SR22pilot]

Please contact CVS and Rite Aid

I have contacted both CVS and Rite Aid saying that they clearly don't want iPhone owners as customers. Having had to get new credit cards multiple times I'm excited by Apple Pay. I used it today at Walgreens. I encourage everyone to submit a complaint on each company's web site. Just one complaint won't do much but thousands will.

 

[AdonisSMU]

It's very easy to post on FB. You don't need to attach it to a thread about breast cancer survivors.

It's tacky.

You want to voice your opinion on twitter, facebook, etc - it's not hard to start your own thread. You don't need to attach it to something completely unrelated. I'm amused by the ones that commented on products being marketed. Comments like "I would have loved to have bought this in your store - but I'll get it at Walgreens instead since you don't take Apple Pay." Those comments in that thread are appropriate. And quite funny.

It says a lot more about the poster than the company when they make those comments in an inappropriate thread.

None of that matters. Rite Aid engaged in a failed marketing opportunity off the backs of Breast Cancer survivors. Sorry if I play the smallest violin. If they were really trying to do something to benefit the community they would do this without the media hype.

The bottom line is you dont piss off the customers. They thought they could use the Breat Cancer media to shield themselves from criticism and it didnt work.

 

[tmiw]

MCX could have done more damage to Visa/MC without the PR hit if they played the long game.

1. Don't turn off NFC/Apple Pay/Google Wallet.
2. Institute a $5 minimum for credit/debit card/NFC use. Issue a press release right before you do it extolling how the minimum will "improve the customer experience" and all sorts of other PR buzzwords.
3. One year later, quietly increase it to $10 (maximum allowed under Dodd-Frank). Permit transactions under $10 if the customer uses CurrentC.

CurrentC might still flop if they did that, but MCX probably had a good chance at permanently changing customer behavior by doing the above. Remember, they're supposedly responsible for a quarter of US retail spending and if people start using cash for small purchases at Walmart, they'll do it for other businesses too. Even a 5% decline in revenue will make Visa notice and they'll deal with the MCX members. Instead, CVS and Rite-Aid are taking a beating in the press right now and people are realizing how much of a security and privacy nightmare CurrentC actually is.

 

[AllieNeko]

And for what valid reason would a payment service want to see my HealthKit data. If I record blood pressure, medication info, exercise data, maybe diabetic data. What does that have to do with paying for a set of batteries?

IT'S NOT RIGHT

I agree 100%