Rite Aid Disables Apple Pay Support After Initially Accepting Payments

[caesarp]

For me the most interesting thing in your article is the info that MasterCard has an app that shows where contactless payments can be made. (And most places that take contactless MCs will also take Visa/AMEX).

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mastercard-nearby/id778074772?mt=8

I don't know where RiteAids are geographically....do they still show up in the app?

There are a least a dozen wrong things or half truths in that terrible article. A hack job. He doesn't know how to use Apple Pay. You don't need to say anything other than credit or debit to the cashier -- you then hold your phone to the reader. Done. And the article puts in two sentences on security (and only obliquely) -- which is one of the main benefits of Apple Pay.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Well the manager can hire more cashiers. I hate when there are 10 cash registers and only two open. I rarely if ever see all cash registers used (maybe the day before Xmas)?

Our speed scores have NOTHING to do with the amount of cashiers. It is ALL how long a transaction takes start to finish. If you fumble, write a check, dig for change - good chance I will go "red" for the transaction. Time for the transaction is add based on what you buy - if you buy clothes, I get more time to wrap it up. I can be done with my part, and you take a normal amount of time... and i'm doomed for the day on my score.

And yes, this can and will factor into my keeping my job or not. How fast you pay. Lucky me huh?

And he can't just hire more people if he wants his payroll bonus... and hours have been cut drastically. So the manager may want more people - but until the guests complain about the lack of help in the store to corporate... it won't matter.

 

[Sonmi451]

Perhaps if you like your financials online. Go for it. Just understand that online banking has it's own issues.

I locked mine down after someone fraudulently accessed my bank accounts online. And, kept getting into them by using my information and locking me out of them (the most minor part of ID Theft mentioned previously) It's so secure now, that even if you walk into the bank in person, look like me, carrying my ID card, and the teller knows me and recognizes me, they will not do a thing with my account. Even the Manager won't release anything to me, and we've known each other personally for more than 40 years. There are other methods I've implemented that must be in place in addition to my physical being, ID card, signature, and being recognized... that doesn't even get you close to my money.

Yeah, it's locked tight, and no I wouldn't do anything with a cell phone to manage my money. There is no Internet access to my accounts.

If you've only been the institution who holds your money once in your life, then you've got nothing. Any random person could walk in there, know your information, and walk out with your money. That's exactly why I deal local, with people who know my face, who will implement special practices for me because they know me, and will personally protect my interests.

You wouldn't believe how easy it is to manage your bank account without any identification if you know all the information. With mine, you won't touch my accounts even if you have my face.

I see your point, but I'm pretty sure I'm not liable if someone steals money from my account. Especially since my credit union has 2 step authentication, and they need to know my security questions which they'll never guess. If it makes you feel warm & fuzzy I get that from your past experiences, but it's not worth my time to go into a bank just for the .000001% chance someone will steal my money.

 

[dontwalkhand]

They can't force you to use a rewards card.

Most people who shop at places with a rewards card, has a rewards card. I don't see it being an issue. Walmart is just too cheap to issue cards.

 

[StyxMaker]

Most people who shop at places with a rewards card, has a rewards card. I don't see it being an issue. Walmart is just too cheap to issue cards.

If you want to use their rewards card and let them track your buying habits that's fine. You can still use a secure, tokenized payment method to safeguard your financial data. If you don't want to be tracked use the secure payment method and forego the rewards card.

 

[69Mustang]

None of you think, apparently. I've quoted one of you, the above 2 highlighted actions are exactly the same thing. Exactly. How is one bad and one ok, one adult and one childish? What if your phone is all you brought with you because the store took the payment yesterday? (which is exactly the situation in this news story)

Stores have the right to refuse service to anyone. I have the right to refuse to shop there, too. How is that "douchey"? I actually just quit going to Walgreens over other policies, told the cashier directly. I should have not made my purchase, but I didn't have time to fool around that day. I will happily drive an extra half mile to a different store from now on.

How are they different? That's easy: Intent.

In your case, you were simply caught unaware by a merchants policy. You had no intention of walking out when you attempted to make a purchase. The merchant exercised his right to impose a floor on card purchases. You exercised your right to not agree to it. That is adult.

Intentionally walking into a store planning a fake purchase just to disrupt their business because they don't support Apple Pay? That's douchbaggery. That is childish. That is what dneesley is proposing. Are you still saying they are the same thing?

What happened to you was happenstance. The other is a deliberately suggested act. Not the same. I really don't understand why you're insisting on aligning with someone suggesting asshatery when the sensible adult thing would be to do exactly what you suggested. Take your business elsewhere.

And yes, I do think.

 

[proline]

Back in the day I had both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players. Got a 400 dollar HD-DVD player for 120 on sale. 30 days later it was announced that hd-dvd was obsolete. I still have the player and the 3 movies I had bought for it. All collecting dust.

Well, not a wise choice but at least you are man enough to admit it. Perhaps it will be a collector's item some day?

 

[LordVic]

I went to Rite Aid after reading the article to see if it was true and my prescription order went right through with Apple Pay, I had to explain to the Cashier what just happened and how it works. Then went next door to the AT&T store and told them that Apple Pay works at Rite Aid next door and at Panera Bread across the parking lot. I'm also one of those who upgraded from a 5s just to get Apple Pay without having to spend $350 for a watch in 2015.

For those of you who might have read my rant 2 weeks ago about having to wait 5-7 weeks for my iPhone 6 from AT&T and I said I was going to write a VP at AT&T and someone posted in the forum and said it was a waste of time that executives don't listen to customers. Maybe with other carriers but the management at AT&T are very service and customer aware this is the fourth time top level people have aided in a situation. Oh I got my iPhone 6, 4 days after sending the email. If I hadn't sent it I'd still be waiting until Nov 11.

I bet you were also reasonable, honest and straight forward with the letter. (no sarcasm meant).

I tend to see a lot of people who phone / write to companies VP's and service who are angry, and act very "ME ME ME!". like a petulant child who has a sense of entitlement.

They often walk away, without resolution, angry, and with a negative feeling towards who they dealt with. It's a common psychological issue that when someone is antagonistic and aggressive, you put up defenses. As much as we demonise corporations for being inhuman at times, we have to remember that there are still human beings doing jobs.

being moderated. Accepting and willing to work together tends to come up with reasonable accomplishments that benefit both parties.

Glad you ended up getting your phone in a reasonable time

 

[Keirasplace]

I've seen a number of paradigm shifts over the years, and they happened pretty quickly once they reached critical mass. As you said, contactless payment systems have existed for a long time and haven't reached critical mass. Does that mean Apple Pay is just another one in the bunch? As likely to languish as the others? I don't think so. Apple wasn't the first smart phone. Or the first mp3 player. It wasn't the first tablet. It's not going to be the first smart watch.

CD's were just another way to play music, and they had an uphill battle against LP's, and everyone's record collection. But once stores started to stock CDs of the music people wanted to buy, the LPS were gone seemingly overnight. They had to package the CDs in long cardboard cases so they'd fit in the bins that were designed for 12" records. VHS to DVD was just as fast. As was CRT to flat screen HDTV. It was ten years after I read about HDTV before I ever saw it in person. Then, almost immediately, there weren't any old-style TV's on display.

I see Apple Pay helping to take contactless payments over the threshold, after the path was paved by Google Wallet and contactless cards.

I think in ten years or less, the banks will not mail you a plastic credit card unless you specifically request one. They'll send you a secure code that you use to set up your account on your favorite smart phone (or smart watch or smart ring).

CD's actually replaced cassettes, not LPs. Cassettes had a much longer life at their peek than CD's. Early 1970s to early 2000s. Its only in the mid 1990s I believe that CD's finally passed cassettes in sales number.

 

[B2k1977]

Well, not a wise choice but at least you are man enough to admit it. Perhaps it will be a collector's item some day?

I have no shame because it only cost me $120

 

[LordVic]

I have no shame because it only cost me $120

Still have my HD-DVD and it's discs.

I feel no shame. in the end, both it, and blue ray have lost. I would be in the same place now if I had blue ray.

Shelves full of media i don't touch. Device players gathering dust.

i've gone 100% digital distribution!

 

[proline]

I feel no shame. in the end, both it, and blue ray have lost. I would be in the same place now if I had blue ray.

Quite true. Electronic downloads were inevitable. However, it could be argued that the war between HD and blue hastened the downfall of physical media. Many consumers sat on the sidelines for a good three years while they duked it out, allowing downloads time to partially catch up. Had one of those formats won the war quickly, enough consumers might have bought in to the improved picture quality with respect to downloads that the download revolution would have been delayed a generation.

 

[tmiw]

Quite true. Electronic downloads were inevitable. However, it could be argued that the war between HD and blue hastened the downfall of physical media. Many consumers sat on the sidelines for a good three years while they duked it out, allowing downloads time to partially catch up. Had one of those formats won the war quickly, enough consumers might have bought in to the improved picture quality with respect to downloads that the download revolution would have been delayed a generation.

Also helps that ISPs didn't start capping and charging until very recently, too. That alone would have prevented Netflix, etc. from getting any traction here.

 

[doelcm82]

CD's actually replaced cassettes, not LPs. Cassettes had a much longer life at their peek than CD's. Early 1970s to early 2000s. Its only in the mid 1990s I believe that CD's finally passed cassettes in sales number.

I remember record stores selling records and cassettes simultaneously for a very long time. When CDs came along they took the place of LP records in stores. Eventually, the ability to record CDs at home and to play CDs in affordable car stereos caused the cassettes to be phased out.

 

[LordVic]

Also helps that ISPs didn't start capping and charging until very recently, too. That alone would have prevented Netflix, etc. from getting any traction here.

see, here in the great white yonder (Canada) it was the opposite. OUr internet started off heavily capped and has only gradually lessened, giving better access to online services.

Today, I wouldn't even think of buying physical media.

----------

I remember record stores selling records and cassettes simultaneously for a very long time. When CDs came along they took the place of LP records in stores. Eventually, the ability to record CDs at home and to play CDs in affordable car stereos caused the cassettes to be phased out.

Cassettes and records were for entirely different purposes though.

Records were something you bought for listening at home. they provided superior quality of sound, something you wanted with an audio system or large speakers.

The problem was casettes were ultra portable (for the time). but had significant audio reproduction problems. they had limited lifespan, and would even sound different depending on the tape player you were using.

they were companion products.

however, CD's replaced both by addressing the shortcomings of both. and once CD writing capability at home took off, it was over for tape as well'

 

[Menel]

I'll keep it brief, it didn't interest me.

Here's more from an article:

“Apple Pay: I'm Not Impressed“


http://readwrite.com/2014/10/21/apple-pay-problems

Author is excessively short sighted and ignorant.

1-3 are typical for early adopters and new systems.
4 is intentionally deceptive. The difference in a retailer receiving and storing your account credentials in their cloud vs being blocked by.a generated token... is black and white difference.

Obvious shill.

 

[DMVillain]

They don't hate NFC. CurrenC is going to use NFC as well. They hate that they are being cut out of the personal data loop. Currently they track customers by account number. When you swipe your card they are looking up all the purchases you have made in the past and providing targeted coupons and offers. Bank sponsored NFC transactions happen with one time authorization codes. This weakens account relationship tracking as they only know the bank, not the account.

Wow, didn't realize it went this deep. I guess now I can have a real reason to only want to shop at places that take Pay

 

[deviant]

By law it is illegal to turn down US currency at any US business. I think the US ought to pass a new law stating that if the business has an NFC terminal that they must accept all forms of NFC payment (Google Wallet, Apple Pay, etc.).

I don't know how it is in the US but i believe it's like here.. US currency is dollar. The physical dollar. Be it a bill or a bunch of change. Apple pay is not US currency.

----------

I remember record stores selling records and cassettes simultaneously for a very long time. When CDs came along they took the place of LP records in stores. Eventually, the ability to record CDs at home and to play CDs in affordable car stereos caused the cassettes to be phased out.

You do know that retailers HATE "big" products? You can put 10 CDs instead of 1 vinyl on the shelves. They don't care about quality, about nostalgia, about beauty. All they care about are NUMBERS

 

[iososx]

Author is excessively short sighted and ignorant.

1-3 are typical for early adopters and new systems.
4 is intentionally deceptive. The difference in a retailer receiving and storing your account credentials in their cloud vs being blocked by.a generated token... is black and white difference.

Obvious shill.

If you insist on first ignoring the topic and prefer to judge the author, I agree with you.

Now I'll address the topic of which is Apple Pay and Rite Aide.

Rite Aide generated 25 billion dollars in revenue last year from over 4,600 stores. This is a very successful highly regarded business in a highly competitive industry. They were very open minded to give Apple Pay a chance, when it failed to work for them they ceased using it.

Obviously Apple Pay is unable to make the grade, it failed... to live up to Apple's hype.

The rest is irrelevant. No matter why, Rite Aide did what was the right thing for their needs.

 

[Medic311]

Rite-Aid. : Home of the $9.99 bottle of 24 ct aspirin that can be had at Walmart in a 100 ct for $2.98

I haven't been to Rite Aid since I was a small child on a bike and it was the closest store to get a $0.45 Hershey Bar

 

[farmkittie]

Yeah, cause Apple never does that... right....

Anyone remember iTunes? Not only does it recommend shows and music based on what you've purchased before, but they'll also constantly e-mail you with things they think you would like if you dare to give them an email address.

The junk e-mail account I have gets more advertisements from Apple than anyone else.

True. I meant that they won't sell your info or share it. It's not that I'm saying I just blindly trust Apple. I do think that if they lie about anything to do with Apple Pay, then Apple Pay will be dead. That would keep them honest.

I'm not saying I don't trust them specifically either; it's just that I have a certain level of skepticism that can be overcome if the downside for them lying is so devastating. They really, really can't say anything false about Apple Pay or it's over for Apple Pay. They will have enough trouble convincing people how safe it is. Again, I believe it is safe because of the technology they're using AND the fact that all the credit cards and banks believe it is safe.

 

[Medic311]

They don't hate NFC. CurrenC is going to use NFC as well. They hate that they are being cut out of the personal data loop. Currently they track customers by account number. When you swipe your card they are looking up all the purchases you have made in the past and providing targeted coupons and offers. Bank sponsored NFC transactions happen with one time authorization codes. This weakens account relationship tracking as they only know the bank, not the account.

They look up purchases if you used a Rite Aid club card. They aren't creating customer profiles based on credit card numbers...

 

[farmkittie]

Rite-Aid. : Home of the $9.99 bottle of 24 ct aspirin that can be had at Walmart in a 100 ct for $2.98

I haven't been to Rite Aid since I was a small child on a bike and it was the closest store to get a $0.45 Hershey Bar

\

Yes, the only way to save at Rite Aid is to use the discount card, make a lot of purchases so that you can get 20% off, and also use the Up rewards strategically. I wait for sales and I get some deals. It is work to do this. though. My Rite Aid is so close and conveniently located (easy in and out parking lot on non-busy streets) so I go about once a week on average.

----------

They look up purchases if you used a Rite Aid club card. They aren't creating customer profiles based on credit card numbers...

Yes but if you don't use the loyalty card the prices are really high. So you pay a lot for the privacy.

 

[canucksfan88]

Yeah man, you also can use your horse if you missed the bus to town.

LOL. Horse and buggy were used in the 18th, 19th and early 20th.

Credit cards were used as of October 19, 2014 as ApplePay ONLY came out as of October 20, 2014...aka 4 days ago

If you are going to compare it to something, at least use something more realistic...

I get people want to be early adopters...but to not shop at a store because there is no ApplePay (when until 4 days ago they probably used credit cards) is a tad ridiculous...

 

[doelcm82]

Yes, the only way to save at Rite Aid is to use the discount card, make a lot of purchases so that you can get 20% off, and also use the Up rewards strategically. I wait for sales and I get some deals. It is work to do this. though. My Rite Aid is so close and conveniently located (easy in and out parking lot on non-busy streets) so I go about once a week on average.

Yes but if you don't use the loyalty card the prices are really high. So you pay a lot for the privacy.

That's certainly true of the retailer that employs me. Every item we sell has a regular price and a club price. We actually sell the membership to the club, and most of our customers buy it. The "savings" are that significant.