Early Apple Pay Reception Tepid Outside of United States

[SteveW928]

Exactly. Uptake in the US is artificially high because Apple Pay actually offers a significant benefit over there. Contactless payments have been the norm (certainly here in Australia, but in plenty of other countries too) for the last 5 years, so why would people be drawn to this "new" service?

Most of the comments on here about Apple pay being useful convenient are actually referring to the contactless nature (no signing, pin etc) rather than using applepay in particular.

More importantly.... if the consumers don't really care, why would banks want to adopt it and pay Apple a % ? Somebody above observed that people should switch banks just to get applepay.... lol.

Personally, I might use it at the point it becomes more ubiquitous - then I could downsize my wallet - but it's kind of an all-or-nothing deal.

Well said! I'm in the same boat. When I get my iPhone SE, maybe I'll start to use it, we'll see. But, aside from better privacy and security (which might be smart to consider), it isn't a big deal for most people, as the process is already quite simple and quick. In the USA, there's a substantial difference even beyond the privacy and security.

 

[Nevaborn]

This "report" is a load of rubbish containing no actual information and is just really an opinion piece as someone thinks Apple Pay is not as good as a card.

The only problem with Apple Pay is when I go to open it from the lock screen and the phone unlocks so I have to lock the phone to go back to it. I would almost like a dedicated wallet button but that is more an issue with Touch ID.

When I get Wallet open Apple Pay is really quick and gives fast feedback from my bank on what I just spent. The registration process was a 2 min phone call which I had to do once ... Not an issue, this article just wants it to be not reminding everyone when you get a new chip and pin card you need to contact the bank and register the card anyway.

The only real limitation is the spending limit of contactless payments. Other than that most places in the UK if they support contactless which is the majority of outlets now will accept Apple Pay.

End of the day I am always going to need to carry a card as long places exist that require me to pay in cash meaning I need to withdraw some. If I could do that via my phone when I get to a cash machine that would be great but still that is only as good as when the phone is working. But equally the chip and pin card is only as good asking as the card is recognised and not worn.

No solution is perfect currently but Apple Pay is popular in the UK and I use it whenever I can.

I just wish wallet would let me add all these club cards etc I have so I no longer need a physical wallet. That is the real failing here.

 

[tmiw]

C&P is closing the security issue, so the sell really moves to 'convenience'. But until NFC gains critical mass (or Apple pay takes a page from Samsung Pay and works with MST terminals), it'll be hard to gain critical mass their either.

Eh, I'm not sure security was ever all that important; people don't lose anything other than a bit of their time changing their card info after breaches. It's always been about convenience and I don't think NFC offers as much of a value proposition for consumers and merchants as in-app type stuff (like mobile ordering/checkout). Ultimately the latter's going to be used far more since that has the potential to save tons of time--think not having to staff/wait in checkout lines at all.

 

[wikiverse]

Personally, I might use it at the point it becomes more ubiquitous - then I could downsize my wallet - but it's kind of an all-or-nothing deal.

If your phone goes flat, (or if you drop it) you can't access your card. If you don't have your card with you, you can't access ATMs.

Better battery life would make me willing to switch. Otherwise, pulling out a card is just as convenient as pulling out my phone.

 

[JGIGS]

I said this when Apple pay first came out. Why would I use it when it's easier and faster to just tap my credit card and I know wherever a retailer has tap my credit card will work. Not to mention worrying about if the apple pay credit card data base where to get hacked. Though I guess one could counter that my credit card info is at risk every time I make a transaction especially on the net.

Still I don't get the real advantage if I'm carrying my wallet and credit card with me anyway. Those saying well if you don't want to carry your you really should have your ID on you where ever you go until that becomes digital and you can pay with apple pay EVERYWHERE I don't really see the point of signing up for apple pay

 

[BBCWatcher]

I think the point is that Apple is trying to break that chain of data if the purchaser doesn't want to be tracked like that.

Then give me the choice. LinkPoints provides a significant rebate, and I prefer the rebate.

 

[SteveW928]

Ultimately the latter's going to be used far more since that has the potential to save tons of time--think not having to staff/wait in checkout lines at all.

Yes, there are some big potential advantages for that kind of stuff.

Then give me the choice. LinkPoints provides a significant rebate, and I prefer the rebate.

Exactly. When you make a purchase, it's anonymous, unless you'd like to use some kind of points/loyalty card in trade for a discount, etc. But, this way, it's up to you. When you use their card or your credit/debit card, it isn't anonymous (to my knowledge).

 

[haydn!]

I'm just too used to using my contactless bank card - so I guess force of habit is stopping me using Apple Pay as much as I expected I would.

A few other things have dampened the excitement for me though too.

It took my bank (TSB) about a year to adopt Apple Pay. Registering cards with them was also a nightmare... had to register for telephone banking first, wait for a letter with a confirmation code, then scan my card and call them again to verify. This lengthy process really put me off registering more than one card and I've not bothered with any on my iPad as a result.

Also, transactions through Apple Pay take a few extra days to show on statements compared to direct contactless or normal chip and pin. This can be frustrating and again off-putting.

 

[blacktape242]

Id use it ALL the time if it was accepted at more places that i shop!!!!

 

[NOV]

Biggest advance of paying per phone compared to bank card is that with the latter a third person can easily do transactions if I should lose my bank card. In the case of iPhone he has to gain acces to the phone first. That would make it for me more than worth to go through the "trouble" of registering my card with Apple Pay.

 

[BvizioN]

Unless you're just complaining to complain, which is staggering on this forum nowadays.

I think this is more then often the case here.
If I would look for a reasons to complain about Apple products, Apple Pay and touch ID would probably be the very last on my list.

 

[Quu]

I'm in the UK. I use Apple Pay about once a week usually at restaurants. It's pretty convenient. I like using it at places where I don't want them to have my card details on record in-case of security breaches. One restaurant I've eaten at previously is a chain so there are hundreds of them and they had a breach just last year and had to contact 250,000 customers about it.

I wasn't affected as I'd never used my card there but that is the main reason I choose to use Apple Pay when I can. Also in the UK contactless card payments are limited to like £30 or £50 (I think they upped it recently?) so for any purchase larger than that Apple Pay is the only contactless system that will work. And I personally will always use it if I can.

I also use it in M&S which is a supermarket chain here. I rarely carry paper money anymore and I feel safer using Apple Pay so I make good use of it.

I think once Apple Pay is rolled out worldwide Apple should go on a marketing blitz about it. Spend maybe a billion dollars worldwide to make people fully aware of it and the benefits. I have yet to have a bad experience with Apple Pay it just works every single time.

EDIT:// I did want to add, I have an Apple Watch which I wear all day every day. Have done so for about 7 months now. I love my watch but I never ever use Apple Pay on it, why? Because it doesn't work well enough. Most scanners are bolted down or handed to you in a way that the Watch cannot communicate with the NFC transmitter in the device. I have to turn my wrist 180 degrees upside down to get the watch to meet the transmitter for Apple Pay to activate. That is really poor. So I only use Apple Pay on my iPhone.

In my opinion putting NFC on the watch when it works there so poorly was a real misstep by Apple. I tried it twice and both times it failed to work without me doing some gymnastics move that made me look crazy.

 

[Jakeoster]

It has been tepid within the US too, as has every other mobile payment system...

 

[CaTOAGU]

This "report", such as it is, seems problematic at best, intellectually dishonest at worst. To wit, "Apple Pay hasn't caught on globally". How can something that hasn't been rolled out globally, catch on globally? It can't!

I am getting increasingly frustrated with this site, I know it's a rumour site but you used to use far more discretion in the articles you published. The Apple is doomed mantra around which this article is based seems to be more the norm these days, after that it's any old thing that will get page views. The signal is getting increasingly hard to discern from the noise.

What's worse is that, if you fling enough mud eventually some if it will stick; be careful what you print lest you (help) destroy the hand that feeds you.

 

[pika2000]

Of course, such a failure. Apple is doomed for delivering a service and not reaching 90% usage on day 2.
Maybe Apple should start faking their number of users like most Silicon Valley startups. That's the new business mindset.

 

[CaTOAGU]

I'm in the UK. I use Apple Pay about once a week usually at restaurants. It's pretty convenient. I like using it at places where I don't want them to have my card details on record in-case of security breaches. One restaurant I've eaten at previously is a chain so there are hundreds of them and they had a breach just last year and had to contact 250,000 customers about it.

I wasn't affected as I'd never used my card there but that is the main reason I choose to use Apple Pay when I can. Also in the UK contactless card payments are limited to like £30 or £50 (I think they upped it recently?) so for any purchase larger than that Apple Pay is the only contactless system that will work. And I personally will always use it if I can.

I also use it in M&S which is a supermarket chain here. I rarely carry paper money anymore and I feel safer using Apple Pay so I make good use of it.

I think once Apple Pay is rolled out worldwide Apple should go on a marketing blitz about it. Spend maybe a billion dollars worldwide to make people fully aware of it and the benefits. I have yet to have a bad experience with Apple Pay it just works every single time.

EDIT:// I did want to add, I have an Apple Watch which I wear all day every day. Have done so for about 7 months now. I love my watch but I never ever use Apple Pay on it, why? Because it doesn't work well enough. Most scanners are bolted down or handed to you in a way that the Watch cannot communicate with the NFC transmitter in the device. I have to turn my wrist 180 degrees upside down to get the watch to meet the transmitter for Apple Pay to activate. That is really poor. So I only use Apple Pay on my iPhone.

In my opinion putting NFC on the watch when it works there so poorly was a real misstep by Apple. I tried it twice and both times it failed to work without me doing some gymnastics move that made me look crazy.

I use Apple Pay quite a bit too on both phone and watch. I've not had as many issues with the watch though, I use it in m&s and other places successfully. Having to rotate my wrist does seem weird sometimes but it works 99% + of the time. Very occasionally I run across an issue with the reader not 'seeing' the NFC chip in the watch or the phone but that's increasingly rare.

 

[philip456]

Apple Pay is seeing a lukewarm reception in many countries outside of the United States and is making just a "small dent" in the global payments market, according to a new report from Reuters.

In 2015, Apple Pay usage totaled $10.9 billion, most of which came from the United States. That figure is perhaps unsurprising as Apple Pay has been available in the United States since 2014 and only began rolling out to additional countries in 2015. Apple Pay is now available in the United States, the UK, China, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.

Though Apple Pay is in the early stages of adoption outside of the United States, it seems to be struggling to gain a foothold in the countries where it's now available. In China, Apple Pay has to compete with established payment services Alibaba and Tencent, and according to research conducted by Reuters, Chinese users have complained that using Apple Pay is not as seamless as WeChat, Tencent's payment service.

In Britain and Australia, contactless payment cards are in wide use, so iPhone users need to go to the trouble of adding their cards to Apple Pay. Juniper Research analyst Windsor Holden told Reuters that the prevalence of contactless cards makes it more difficult to persuade people to adopt Apple Pay.Bendigo Bank in Australia says it is experiencing "some unforeseen technical issues" accepting Apple Pay payments at select merchant terminals, something Apple Pay vice president Jennifer Bailey told Reuters was "not representative" of the Apple Pay experience.In addition to a lukewarm reception in the countries where it is available, Apple Pay is seeing a slow global rollout due to the need to negotiate transaction fees with multiple partners. Apple makes approximately 15 cents for every $100 spent in the United States, but has had to negotiate lower fees in some countries. Apple has also faced resistance in locations like Australia, Canada, and the UK because banks in these countries are building their own competing payment products.

Apple Pay hasn't yet caught on globally, but Apple is "working rapidly" to expand Apple Pay to additional locations in Asia and Europe. Apple Pay is expected to debut in Hong Kong in the near future through a partnership with American Express, which will also bring the payments service to Spain later this year. Rumors and leaked documents also point towards negotiations to bring Apple Pay to France, Brazil, and Japan in the not-too-distant future.

In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Bailey said Apple considers a number of factors when deciding where to deploy Apple Pay, including the size of the Apple product market, credit and debit card penetration, and existing contactless payment coverage.

Article Link: Early Apple Pay Reception Tepid Outside of United States

[doublepost=1464847959][/doublepost]

Apple Pay is seeing a lukewarm reception in many countries outside of the United States and is making just a "small dent" in the global payments market, according to a new report from Reuters.

In 2015, Apple Pay usage totaled $10.9 billion, most of which came from the United States. That figure is perhaps unsurprising as Apple Pay has been available in the United States since 2014 and only began rolling out to additional countries in 2015. Apple Pay is now available in the United States, the UK, China, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.

Though Apple Pay is in the early stages of adoption outside of the United States, it seems to be struggling to gain a foothold in the countries where it's now available. In China, Apple Pay has to compete with established payment services Alibaba and Tencent, and according to research conducted by Reuters, Chinese users have complained that using Apple Pay is not as seamless as WeChat, Tencent's payment service.

In Britain and Australia, contactless payment cards are in wide use, so iPhone users need to go to the trouble of adding their cards to Apple Pay. Juniper Research analyst Windsor Holden told Reuters that the prevalence of contactless cards makes it more difficult to persuade people to adopt Apple Pay.Bendigo Bank in Australia says it is experiencing "some unforeseen technical issues" accepting Apple Pay payments at select merchant terminals, something Apple Pay vice president Jennifer Bailey told Reuters was "not representative" of the Apple Pay experience.In addition to a lukewarm reception in the countries where it is available, Apple Pay is seeing a slow global rollout due to the need to negotiate transaction fees with multiple partners. Apple makes approximately 15 cents for every $100 spent in the United States, but has had to negotiate lower fees in some countries. Apple has also faced resistance in locations like Australia, Canada, and the UK because banks in these countries are building their own competing payment products.

Apple Pay hasn't yet caught on globally, but Apple is "working rapidly" to expand Apple Pay to additional locations in Asia and Europe. Apple Pay is expected to debut in Hong Kong in the near future through a partnership with American Express, which will also bring the payments service to Spain later this year. Rumors and leaked documents also point towards negotiations to bring Apple Pay to France, Brazil, and Japan in the not-too-distant future.

In a recent interview with TechCrunch, Bailey said Apple considers a number of factors when deciding where to deploy Apple Pay, including the size of the Apple product market, credit and debit card penetration, and existing contactless payment coverage.

Article Link: Early Apple Pay Reception Tepid Outside of United States

[doublepost=1464848068][/doublepost]The main reason that I'm not using ApplePay here in the UK is the low limit of cards allowed in Wallet.

If I could put all my cards in ApplePay, then I'd be much more likely to use it.

 

[Bocca013]

I'd use Apple Pay if only my bank (I'm Looking at you Westpac) would support it.

 

[ForkHandles]

I enjoy the convenience of Apple Pay. I try to use it everywhere in order to tell retailers it is out there in the uk.

This will be a slow burn but I believe that using a phone with a Touch ID is about as secure as you can get. I look forward to the day when the spending limits for fingerprint payments are increased to useful levels.

 

[Marvive]

I stopped using Apple Pay months ago, simply because the TouchID is so damn unreliable.

It took me longer to finagle the stupid thing to read my fingerprint than the time it takes to pull out my credit card and even use the chip reader thing.

You have to train your phone to learn your fingerprint in the settings app. Once you do it enough, it works without fail.

 

[sully54]

Apple Pay has worked like a charm for me in Canada over the last 3 weeks with RBC. It's only failed once. To be honest, even if Apple Pay was more of a hassle than using my card (which it isn't in my experience), I'd still use Apple Pay if it means I'm less likely to lose my credit card, which is more of a hassle than anything else.

 

[Polyphonie]

The problem is Apple isn't signing up enough retailers. For every 10 banks they sign up they seem to only be adding 1 retailer. Retailers that have the capable technology are hesitant because they cant get any analytics from the data. This is where Apple needs to step in a forge some behind the scenes deals, otherwise Apple Pay is doomed.

In the US perhaps because contactless payment is still isn't widely available. But elsewhere including Canada where it's pretty much everywhere (enough so that it feels incredibly weird on the very few occasion when I tap and payment doesn't got through), Apple isn't required to attract retailers/vendors (that's the role of the banks).

Also, contactless payment is a standard system. It means that the same contactless POS will work not only with Apple Pay but Android, Samsung or your bank issued Credit/Debit Card (with embedded chip).

 

[GreyOS]

This article makes it seem like the US didn't have contactless pay. I've had contactless pay since 2008 on a couple of my cards, but so few places accepted it, I never used it. Now we have chip cards (still no PINs, so they are no safer), which take so long, that Apple Pay is logical to use.

Well that's the difference then isn't it? Contactless terminals are fairly Common here. Apple Pay only works where contactless cards work.

 

[page3]

This contradicts what I've seen in the UK. I've been really impressed by how quickly Apple Pay is taking off here, helped by the fact it's accepted almost everywhere.

Agree. See it in use everywhere.

Now if only it was easier to request NON contactless cards as they're totally insecure.

 

[Mildredop]

This contradicts what I've seen in the UK. I've been really impressed by how quickly Apple Pay is taking off here, helped by the fact it's accepted almost everywhere.

It is certainly advertised a lot, but do you see anyone actually using it? I never have. Nor have I ever heard anyone I know mention they've used it.