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McDonalds Apple pay/pie fail (Drive Thru) ApplePieGate

U

ultravorx

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 31, 2008
33
1
So, after trying out apple pay at AT&T, which worked flawlessly, we decided to go to McDonalds to get a snack.

We went through the drive through, and at the payment window i asked if they take apple pay. They asked if i wanted an apple pie!?! :rolleyes:

I said no, i want to pay with my phone, eyeing the NFC reader, which looked mobile, above the cashiers head. She asked for my phone!

I told her she cant do it since i need to activate the touch ID. She looked confused, and said they dont take apple, only google, and that the NFC reader was not mobile.

So it appears the the drivethrough area wasnt properly planned in the apple pay deployment. I wonder how many other drivethru issues will pop up.

I know its just rolling out, but someone should have thought this more through!

Frank
 
Last edited:
ultravorx said:
I know its just rolling out, but someone should have thought this more through!
Click to expand...
Makes perfect sense to me. They need to process the payment, and you're in a car. I don't think this is apple's fault or McDonalds but rather trying to a use a method of payment that doesn't fit the situation
 
ultravorx said:
So, after trying out apple pay at AT&T, which worked flawlessly, we decided to go to McDonalds to get a snack.

We went through the drive through, and at the payment window i asked if they take apple pay. They asked if i wanted an apple pie!?! :rolleyes:

I said no, i want to pay with my phone, eyeing the NFC reader, which looked mobile, above the cashiers head. She asked for my phone!

I told her she cant do it since i need to activate the touch ID. She looked confused, and said they dont take apple, only google, and that the NFC reader was not mobile.

So it appears the the drivethrough area wasnt properly planned in the apple pay deployment. I wonder how many other drivethru issues will pop up.

I know its just rolling out, but someone should have thought this more through!

Frank
Click to expand...

It sounds like in this case either the cashier didn't know about Apple Pay or possibly this drive thru hadn't gotten their training or equipment yet. I believe that the drive through phase for McDonald's was to be phased in later although many have posted that they've been able to use it.

First world problems and hardly an epic fail. But I'm glad you didn't hand over your phone. What if she dropped it? What if she got fry grease on it, etc.

Title of of your thread makes it look like Apple failed.
 
farmkittie said:
It sounds like in this case either the cashier didn't know about Apple Pay or possibly this drive thru hadn't gotten their training or equipment yet.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's the issue. The payment processing equipment, i.e., cash register is inside, the OP was outside in his car. There was no way for him to use apple pay. Only if McDonalds places NFC readers outside would this work.

I don't think its a training issue but rather using the wrong tool at the wrong time.
 
maflynn said:
I don't think that's the issue. The payment processing equipment, i.e., cash register is inside, the OP was outside in his car. There was no way for him to use apple pay. Only if McDonalds places NFC readers outside would this work.

I don't think its a training issue but rather using the wrong tool at the wrong time.
Click to expand...

Most McDonalds have the reader inside right by the window, and can pick it up and hold it outside for use of Apple Pay in the drive through. There are multiple videos of it working this way.
 
The Tim Horton's near my house has an NFC reader on the OUTSIDE of their drive-through window area. I haven't tried it yet.... maybe on the way to work this morning! :D
 
Tyler23 said:
Most McDonalds have the reader inside right by the window, and can pick it up and hold it outside for use of Apple Pay in the drive through. There are multiple videos of it working this way.
Click to expand...

This is what i thought, it looked totally mobile, but the lady said she couldnt move it to the window. Even if touch ID wasnt required, it would be a cold day in hell before i let someone else scan my phone!

BTW, im not bashing apple or anyone over this, just stating a fact that they "officially" rolled it out, but cant "officially" use it.

Frank
 
I'm interested in seeing how popular :apple: pay will be by the start of the year. I would've taken the apple pie anyway. :D
 
Just wait until someone drops their iPhone onto the pavement at a drive thru trying to touch their phone to the reader. Pay-drop-crack-gate.
 
There are probably going to be some issues at franchises and various retailers during the initial rollout. I wouldn't want to hand over my phone either. One solution would be to just not go to McDonalds.
 
Here they just lean out the window with the POS machine, I tap my card and go.
 
techspin said:
I'm interested in seeing how popular :apple: pay will be by the start of the year. I would've taken the apple pie anyway. :D
Click to expand...

I think two things need to happen. First, Apple needs to hit their mark for 6/6 pluses sold (I think 60 million in Q4) and there needs to be a rejuvenated interest in using it by people with android devices. Once the demand is there retailers will flood into the system to appear edgy and the rest will follow to avoid looking antiquated.

Then the wallet shall die!
 
Scott6666 said:
Just wait until someone drops their iPhone onto the pavement at a drive thru trying to touch their phone to the reader. Pay-drop-crack-gate.
Click to expand...

<<<this lol...

Sonic is the only drive thru in my area with card readers/nfcs outside even though I rarely eat there. it's super convenient and i hope other places adopt soon but i would need to create some type of wristband case for my plus bc i'd be the first to drop mine out the window. The outdoor deathgrip struggle is real.
 
ultravorx said:
So it appears the the drivethrough area wasnt properly planned in the apple pay deployment.
Click to expand...

Careful on the assumptions. Which is more likely, (a) *nobody* thought to wonder how to handle drive-through or (b) you encountered a cashier who hadn't been properly trained.

Here's the McD's training:
mcdonalds-apple-pay.png

http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/13/mcdonalds-apple-pay-training/
 
Tyler23 said:
Most McDonalds have the reader inside right by the window, and can pick it up and hold it outside for use of Apple Pay in the drive through. There are multiple videos of it working this way.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've seen that happen at McDoland's drive-through's when people pay with debit cards -- the cashier holds the payment pad out the window so the customer can enter their pin number.
 
Is it not possible to tap the reader to start the process...

and then moments later while you are 5+ feet away from the reader... touch the ID to confirm the transaction?
 
You mean I can't get my Sausage, Egg and cheese McGriddles with Apple pay ? I'm going to the Apple Store and demand a refund for this piece of crap iPhone 6+, no one will keep me from my 1,000 calorie delights.
 
ultravorx said:
So, after trying out apple pay at AT&T, which worked flawlessly, we decided to go to McDonalds to get a snack.

We went through the drive through, and at the payment window i asked if they take apple pay. They asked if i wanted an apple pie!?! :rolleyes:

I said no, i want to pay with my phone, eyeing the NFC reader, which looked mobile, above the cashiers head. She asked for my phone!

I told her she cant do it since i need to activate the touch ID. She looked confused, and said they dont take apple, only google, and that the NFC reader was not mobile.

So it appears the the drivethrough area wasnt properly planned in the apple pay deployment. I wonder how many other drivethru issues will pop up.

I know its just rolling out, but someone should have thought this more through!

Frank
Click to expand...


you have to think of the education level of a McDonald employee as well. I know that sounds like an ******* thing to say but it's the truth.
 
maflynn said:
I don't think that's the issue. The payment processing equipment, i.e., cash register is inside, the OP was outside in his car. There was no way for him to use apple pay. Only if McDonalds places NFC readers outside would this work.

I don't think its a training issue but rather using the wrong tool at the wrong time.
Click to expand...

The McDonald's that are equipped have device that they extend out the window so that you can hold your phone close to it. Maybe not every McDonald's has the drive thru capability yet.
 
maflynn said:
I don't think that's the issue. The payment processing equipment, i.e., cash register is inside, the OP was outside in his car. There was no way for him to use apple pay. Only if McDonalds places NFC readers outside would this work.

I don't think its a training issue but rather using the wrong tool at the wrong time.
Click to expand...

Agreed. There have been plenty of reports that Apple Pay works at McDonald's.
 
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