So Apple Pay works at CVS again, what's really going on here?

[Mac'nCheese]

Csb

And it didn't work for me at McDonalds yesterday. The phone seemed to be doing its thing: credit card picture popped up, I put my thumb on the touch id....the register just never seemed to get the signal. Tried a few times and then just swiped the old fashioned way.

 

[lordofthereef]

I wonder if MCX is maybe backing-off enforcing that clause at this point given how much heat they got... losing customers by turning of ApplePay is kind of tough argument to make to their members. Let CurrentC compete on its on merits.

I learned about these contracts on here. For all I know they aren;t even actually a thing lol. I do know, that if they are real, most companies wouldn't go through the trouble of drafting the contract and then deciding "you know what, we don't mind if you break contract".

Like I said, I really don't know. Interesting, anyway.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I would seriously be interesting in learning what the ramifactions of breaking contracts with current c (I think that's who they're in contract with?). It's entirely possible that breaking the contract and simply paying the fines would be the smarter move for some of these enormous chain stores.

As I mentioned earlier, the MCX CEO actually indicated that CurrentC retailers that accept Apple Pay are not subject to fines.

During the call, MCX CEO Dekkers Davidson and COO Scott Rankin clarified that MCX merchants who choose to accept Apple Pay are not subject to fines. As stated in the blog post earlier today, merchants are also free to leave the consortium entirely at any time without penalty beyond forfeiting the time and money already invested in the effort.

 

[wxman2003]

deleted

 

[iapplelove]

op I tried two different CVS stores in the area and both said "alternate tender required" at the register just like before.

The NFC readers are still active your phone will still make contact it just won't process a sale.

 

[mrcobra92]

Didn't work at Rite Aid, same error as before. Don't know what the OP of this thread is thinking, but I have seen no evidence of it working yet.

 

[jlake02]

They probably heard the message loud and clear from the massive outcry of angry customers (especially on social media).

 

[mrcobra92]

They probably heard the message loud and clear from the massive outcry of angry customers (especially on social media).

No, it's still not working.

 

[poorcody]

As I mentioned earlier, the MCX CEO actually indicated that CurrentC retailers that accept Apple Pay are not subject to fines.

Thanks, hadn't seen that. But this was added to the opening article of the thread:

Update October 30 7:26 AM: Following continued unclear answers and dodging from MCX executives, an MCX spokesperson has confirmed to Business Insider has confirmed that consortium members who choose to accept Apple Pay must indeed leave the CurrentC group. During yesterday's conference call, the executives refused to share whether any retailers have left the group or are considering doing so.

 

[bushman4]

CVS & Riteaid still not accepting ApplePay. After the retail sales numbers come out and same store sales aren't improving for these 2 companies watch how fast they start to accept ApplePay

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Thanks, hadn't seen that. But this was added to the opening article of the thread:

So they'll likely be forced to leave if they wanted to accept Apple Pay, but at least there won't be any fines (if the MCX CEO is to be believed) so we know it's not the fines that are stopping them. Honestly, they're doing a terrible job at damage control, basically deflecting the blame onto the retailers.

 

[yg17]

CVS & Riteaid still not accepting ApplePay. After the retail sales numbers come out and same store sales aren't improving for these 2 companies watch how fast they start to accept ApplePay

I can assure you that the number of people not shopping at CVS and Rite-Aid because they don't accept ApplePay are not even a drop in the bucket of total sales.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I can assure you that the number of people not shopping at CVS and Rite-Aid because they don't accept ApplePay are not even a drop in the bucket of total sales.

Actually their numbers did come out and the only thing holding them afloat was their pharmacy business which is largely dictated by your prescription insurance provider.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Actually their numbers did come out and the only thing holding them afloat was their pharmacy business which is largely dictated by your prescription insurance provider.

What do you mean by that? Can you, as the customer, not get your prescription at the pharmacy of your choice?

 

[scaredpoet]

What do you mean by that? Can you, as the customer, not get your prescription at the pharmacy of your choice?

You can go to any pharmacy you want, but not all pharmacies take all prescription coverage plans. Some plans are better supported than others.

Additionally, CVS is owned by CareMark, which offers prescription coverage plans to employers and private individuals, so naturally, CVS will favor CareMark plans over other insurers. And likewise if you're a CareMark customer, using anything other than CVS to get your prescription filled is probably discouraged.

 

[lordofthereef]

As I mentioned earlier, the MCX CEO actually indicated that CurrentC retailers that accept Apple Pay are not subject to fines.

Well then I have no idea why stores are turning off NFC lol. Silly.

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Actually their numbers did come out and the only thing holding them afloat was their pharmacy business which is largely dictated by your prescription insurance provider.

The only thing holding them afloat... since Apple Pay launched? I'd like to see these numbers...

 

[dontwalkhand]

Well then I have no idea why stores are turning off NFC lol. Silly.

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The only thing holding them afloat... since Apple Pay launched? I'd like to see these numbers...

They're turning it off because of the exclusivity agreement, and CVS probably already invested $1m into CurrentC

 

[lordofthereef]

They're turning it off because of the exclusivity agreement, and CVS probably already invested $1m into CurrentC

But it was pointed out that there are no fines for exclusivity. $1m is pennies for something like this. My feeling is there is more to this.

 

[dontwalkhand]

But it was pointed out that there are no fines for exclusivity. $1m is pennies for something like this. My feeling is there is more to this.

MCX also has shown their dishonest flip flopping nature too.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

But it was pointed out that there are no fines for exclusivity. $1m is pennies for something like this. My feeling is there is more to this.

Yes, but that was after the fact. CVS and Rite-Aid followed that agreement which specified fines then the CEO said don't worry, no fines. But, yes, you're right. Even if it drops 1% due to lack of Apple Pay, that's way more costly than the measly $1M that they've invested so far.

 

[iapplelove]

CVS & Riteaid still not accepting ApplePay. After the retail sales numbers come out and same store sales aren't improving for these 2 companies watch how fast they start to accept ApplePay

Some CVS stores are down 30% in sales just from the stop sale of tobacco. Their stocks are up and at a high doubt they are worried about pulling the plug on NFC.

They will wait just like every other retailer who are part of MCX. If it fails then maybe they switch.

As consumers what would be be best for us is to allow both for obvious reasons

 

[AdonisSMU]

What do you mean by that? Can you, as the customer, not get your prescription at the pharmacy of your choice?

In my case, I have to use CVS mail order or a CVS store.

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But it was pointed out that there are no fines for exclusivity. $1m is pennies for something like this. My feeling is there is more to this.

I won't set foot in a CVS Store if I can avoid it.

 

[Bobby Corwen]

I wonder how truly widespread this "boycott" sentiment is spread amongst non Mac rumors Apple users out there and if it's statistically significant for business.

I do know there are a lot of blocks that have CvS and Wlgreens on the same corner all across the country...

It seems like a lot of Apple users intuitively know to try to support it.

 

[newellj]

I wonder how truly widespread this "boycott" sentiment is spread amongst non Mac rumors Apple users out there and if it's statistically significant for business.

I do know there are a lot of blocks that have CvS and Wlgreens on the same corner all across the country...

It seems like a lot of Apple users intuitively know to try to support it.

Yup. I've stopped going to CVS in favor of Walgreens, just to give ApplePay a little boost. We've had so many credit card issues over the years that I'd love to see ApplePay succeed. It'll never replace credit cards (I am guessing), but less is better.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

It'll never replace credit cards (I am guessing), but less is better.

That doesn't make too much sense. You're in fact using credit cards in Apple Pay. The successor to credit cards, whatever that may be in the future, will be in Apple Pay as well.