Amex getting refused at more places

[Open123]

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@MT936 wrote:

just have to say where I live I have never been to a place that doesn't accept amex so it is a non issue for me

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Moreover, a while ago, another Poster pointed something that I had never thought about.  For restaurants who need to save save 1% - 1.5%, one needs to wonder what else they're cutting corners on?  Are they not making enought to buy quality ingredients, excericse proper sanitation, or ensure the food is well kept and fresh?

This post was a few years ago, and has stuck in the back of my mind ever since.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what the swipe fees are in the US, but overseas I have seen 5% added to the bill for Amex, and 2% for Visa/MC.  I have also seen 3% more for Amex, but no extra for Visa/MC which matches the 5% and 2% (they just allow for the 2% in the price).

Looking at my wife's usage (she uses an Amex as her preferred card), I would say as much as 10% do not take Amex.  Overseas it depends on country, but when I travelled a lot on a company Amex, on average only 50% took Amex.

[One7]

I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant that didn't take Amex.

[One7]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't know what the swipe fees are in the US, but overseas I have seen 5% added to the bill for Amex, and 2% for Visa/MC.  I have also seen 3% more for Amex, but no extra for Visa/MC which matches the 5% and 2% (they just allow for the 2% in the price).

Looking at my wife's usage (she uses an Amex as her preferred card), I would say as much as 10% do not take Amex.  Overseas it depends on country, but when I travelled a lot on a company Amex, on average only 50% took Amex.

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Wow that's alot! No wonder why many smaller shops don't accept it. $50 for every $1000 of Amex CCs can add up very quickly, especially if the mark up is low.

[irrational]

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@One7 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't know what the swipe fees are in the US, but overseas I have seen 5% added to the bill for Amex, and 2% for Visa/MC.  I have also seen 3% more for Amex, but no extra for Visa/MC which matches the 5% and 2% (they just allow for the 2% in the price).

Looking at my wife's usage (she uses an Amex as her preferred card), I would say as much as 10% do not take Amex.  Overseas it depends on country, but when I travelled a lot on a company Amex, on average only 50% took Amex.

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Wow that's alot! No wonder why many smaller shops don't accept it. $50 for every $1000 of Amex CCs can add up very quickly, especially if the mark up is low.

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Luckily Amex interchange fees are nothing like that in the states. From what I've read, they're more like:

Fast Food Restaurant 3.50%

Lodging 3.50%

Mail Order & Internet 3.50%

Restaurant * 3.50% plus a $0.05 Transaction Fee

Telecommunications 3.50%

Other Transportation 3.50%

Independent Gas Stations 3.25%

Retail * 2.89% plus a $0.10 Transaction Fee*

Services, Wholesale & All Other 2.89% plus $0.15 Transaction Fee*

Office-based Doctor, Dentist, Orthodontist 2.55%

Healthcare not office-based 2.89% plus $0.15 Transaction Fee

Tuition 2.40%

Supermarket 2.30% 

* A surcharge of 0.30% will apply to transactions that are not swiped. For example, keyed-in, e-commerce and other card-not-present transactions will be charged a discount fee of 3.80% instead of 3.50%

[OHWWCB]

I went to pick up Chinese food last weekend and they didn't accept Amex. Luckily, I thought they might not and shoved another card in my pocket before I left the house. However, when I was in NYC last weekend I noticed that EVERY little mom and pop shop took Amex and even had a little AMEX pen holder to sign your receipt. Regional differences, I suppose.

[lonelyisland]

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@Open123 wrote:

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@MT936 wrote:

just have to say where I live I have never been to a place that doesn't accept amex so it is a non issue for me

---

Moreover, a while ago, another Poster pointed something that I had never thought about.  For restaurants who need to save save 1% - 1.5%, one needs to wonder what else they're cutting corners on?  Are they not making enought to buy quality ingredients, excericse proper sanitation, or ensure the food is well kept and fresh?

This post was a few years ago, and has stuck in the back of my mind ever since.

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Based on what my recipts have looked like over the past several years, I am pretty sure they are just raising prices and lowering portions. 

They arent going to risk a health code violation, fines and closure for a 1% swipe charge. They are either the kind of place that takes care of those things, or they arent. A 1% swipe fee doesnt change the core of their principles. 

[peaceonearth]

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@PDXoriginal wrote:

In the last week I have been refused using Amex as a payment more than in the last decade. Granted most of the places were small businesses i.e. cafes, but even Del Taco refused to accept Amex!

Is this a sign of mass revolt?

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I noticed the same in some Countries, they no longer accept AMEX.

[mongstradamus]

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@peaceonearth wrote:

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@PDXoriginal wrote:

In the last week I have been refused using Amex as a payment more than in the last decade. Granted most of the places were small businesses i.e. cafes, but even Del Taco refused to accept Amex!

Is this a sign of mass revolt?

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I noticed the same in some Countries, they no longer accept AMEX.

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WHen i goto Thailand in September i will keep my eyes open how many places accept amex. I won't use my card over there since they have ftf lol , but will just keep my eyes open l

[bigblue7722]

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@mongstradamus wrote:

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@bigblue7722 wrote:

a lot of mom and pop places in CT dont take amex or discover. Atleast with amex they have the special offer deals, 3x cli, and backdating. All I have ever gotten for my discover it card was a 5 dollar starbucks card. Thanks but no thanks.

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Yeah in Fairfield county few places don't like taking amex because the really high swipe fees from what I understands 

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Have you ever been to bills seafood in westbrook,ct? Its a little drive for you but that place drives me insane. They have two full bars one outside one inside plus a full restaurant and they dont take credit cards at all. The owner must be doing it to avoid taxes. I hope they catch him. It makes no sense to me. They just have a stupid atm. I hate carrying cash.