Archived Posts » 59,757,950
Why dont you take AMEX
3/3/2012 12:39:09 PM
:( I was gonna order a almost $2000 worth of stuff
3/3/2012 12:44:53 PM
AMEX is one of the least accepted mainstream credit cards. It's not just AIM, its a TON of small businesses that don't accept it. The reason being that their fees are higher than say Visa for example.
3/3/2012 1:23:14 PM
Originally Posted By CCWinCA:
AMEX is one of the least accepted mainstream credit cards. It's not just AIM, its a TON of small businesses that don't accept it. The reason being that their fees are higher than say Visa for example.
AMEX is one of the least accepted mainstream credit cards. It's not just AIM, its a TON of small businesses that don't accept it. The reason being that their fees are higher than say Visa for example.
WAY higher- Fuck Amex.
3/3/2012 2:00:43 PM
AMEX is a good card to use and a bad card to take. However people using AMEX probably have more money on average.
3/3/2012 2:04:48 PM
Was talking to a local vendor about it.
He pads all his prices as if he's taking amex.. It seems some of the other CC's also charge that high if they are rewards cards.
Discounts 5% for cash/check.
He used to say no to amex but saw he was passing up too many large purchases from customers who tended to be very low maintenance.
He pads all his prices as if he's taking amex.. It seems some of the other CC's also charge that high if they are rewards cards.
Discounts 5% for cash/check.
He used to say no to amex but saw he was passing up too many large purchases from customers who tended to be very low maintenance.
3/3/2012 3:00:44 PM
If AIM took AMEX... talk about opening the floodgates. 
3/3/2012 3:29:04 PM
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
3/3/2012 4:16:52 PM
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
Well I'm sure grossing $15,000,000+ a year ain't to shabby ;)
3/3/2012 5:56:42 PM
Originally Posted By buckjay:
Well I'm sure grossing $15,000,000+ a year ain't to shabby ;)
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
Well I'm sure grossing $15,000,000+ a year ain't to shabby ;)
CC companies dont take that percentage off of profit
When you are barely making money on each box of ammo, that CC fee % comes very close to your profit %3/3/2012 6:02:59 PM
IMHO it is a short sighted strategy of small to medium businesses to not take Amex. I work for a major online company and our monthly CC fees would choke a horse (maybe a few hundred) but like one poster said Amex customer are more generally more affluent, loyal and spend more on average than other card members. Sorry but Amex is is great to work with both as a seller and a as consumer if there is ever a dispute they step up and do the right thing depending on who is in the right.
Me as a long time Amex customer I cannot tell you how great they are and I put ALL my major purchases on my Amex cards.
Me as a long time Amex customer I cannot tell you how great they are and I put ALL my major purchases on my Amex cards.
3/3/2012 6:09:00 PM
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
3/3/2012 6:09:59 PM
Originally Posted By MiamiC70:
IMHO it is a short sighted strategy of small to medium businesses to not take Amex. I work for a major online company and our monthly CC fees would choke a horse (maybe a few hundred) but like one poster said Amex customer are more generally more affluent, loyal and spend more on average than other card members. Sorry but Amex is is great to work with both as a seller and a as consumer if there is ever a dispute they step up and do the right thing depending on who is in the right.
Me as a long time Amex customer I cannot tell you how great they are and I put ALL my major purchases on my Amex cards.
IMHO it is a short sighted strategy of small to medium businesses to not take Amex. I work for a major online company and our monthly CC fees would choke a horse (maybe a few hundred) but like one poster said Amex customer are more generally more affluent, loyal and spend more on average than other card members. Sorry but Amex is is great to work with both as a seller and a as consumer if there is ever a dispute they step up and do the right thing depending on who is in the right.
Me as a long time Amex customer I cannot tell you how great they are and I put ALL my major purchases on my Amex cards.
Whats the point in selling ammo to someone if you are making 8% on each box of ammo, yet AMEX takes 6-7%. Those profit margins wont pay for your operating costs.
3/3/2012 6:19:54 PM
High end clothing retailers, jewelry retailers, and fancy eateries have a very high mark up and benefit greatly from AMEX. They operate on profit margin. Gun and Ammo sales, small stores, convenience stores etc, operate on volume, they can't afford to take it.
Bryan, I have a question. I only have one card with a huge open account and money to blow.
Do you take the original Diner's Club ?
Bryan, I have a question. I only have one card with a huge open account and money to blow.
Do you take the original Diner's Club ?
3/3/2012 6:24:51 PM
I passed on a $1300 purchase at Rainier Arms when 762Ks were on sale because they didn't take AMEX. :(
3/3/2012 6:27:15 PM
Originally Posted By pavlovwolf:
High end clothing retailers, jewelry retailers, and fancy eateries have a very high mark up and benefit greatly from AMEX. They operate on profit margin. Gun and Ammo sales, small stores, convenience stores etc, operate on volume, they can't afford to take it.
Bryan, I have a question. I only have one card with a huge open account and money to blow.
Do you take the original Diner's Club ?
High end clothing retailers, jewelry retailers, and fancy eateries have a very high mark up and benefit greatly from AMEX. They operate on profit margin. Gun and Ammo sales, small stores, convenience stores etc, operate on volume, they can't afford to take it.
Bryan, I have a question. I only have one card with a huge open account and money to blow.
Do you take the original Diner's Club ?
Yeah, I've actually got some sandwich punch cards almost filled out, some neat stickers they were giving out on campus the other day, and an eBay for sale inventory of WELL over $5... how about I box it all up, fire it your way, you send me a crate of 5.45, and we call it even?
You know you wanna... pixie tool. 
3/3/2012 7:54:52 PM
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
What I find as an Amex card holder is "ah crap you don't take Amex, well somebody else does."
3/3/2012 7:55:33 PM
well I guess $2000 in sales isnt good. where am i going to get surplus ammo now :/
3/3/2012 7:55:35 PM
i do get a bunch of those cash advance checks in the mail from customers
3/3/2012 8:29:14 PM
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
i do get a bunch of those cash advance checks in the mail from customers
i do get a bunch of those cash advance checks in the mail from customers
Hahaha, if you think AMEX fucks the seller with fees, you should see what a cash advance does to a customer.. OUCH.
3/3/2012 9:16:41 PM
Originally Posted By jestertoo:
Hahaha, if you think AMEX fucks the seller with fees, you should see what a cash advance does to a customer.. OUCH.
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
i do get a bunch of those cash advance checks in the mail from customers
i do get a bunch of those cash advance checks in the mail from customers
Hahaha, if you think AMEX fucks the seller with fees, you should see what a cash advance does to a customer.. OUCH.
ya not doing that. hahaha
3/3/2012 9:43:31 PM
The good news is there are plenty of Visa and Mastercard cards out there now with great cash back :)
3/3/2012 10:01:37 PM
S'ok Bryan, the rest of us visa/mc using riff-raff gotcha back.
You guys consistently have the best deals on bulk ammo. Less Amex users means more for the rest of us.
I used to accept amex and can definitely relate on the fees, I never had anyone walk when I stopped taking it. They just pulled out another card, c'est la vie.
You guys consistently have the best deals on bulk ammo. Less Amex users means more for the rest of us.
I used to accept amex and can definitely relate on the fees, I never had anyone walk when I stopped taking it. They just pulled out another card, c'est la vie.
3/3/2012 10:41:45 PM
I just can't understand you guys who are saying you'll pass if they don't take AMEX. I've got like 8 cards in my wallet between personal and business credit and debit cards. Even have a discover card solely for use at Sams club. I don't stop shopping at sams club when they wouldn't take Visa I just got a card they would take.
If you don't shop at AIM because you only have an AMEX card then get a freakin Visa. It's worth for the GMP jokes if nothing else right? isn't it?
If you don't shop at AIM because you only have an AMEX card then get a freakin Visa. It's worth for the GMP jokes if nothing else right? isn't it?
3/4/2012 2:37:04 AM
how many people have AMEX but no Visa? prob very few.....
3/4/2012 2:40:08 AM
Originally Posted By mellow01:
how many people have AMEX but no Visa? prob very few.....
how many people have AMEX but no Visa? prob very few.....
I have two Visas, one which just expired and I hadn't gotten a new one, one which the rate is higher than I like so I cut it up. Was left with AMEX at the moment of truth.
3/4/2012 2:53:35 AM
Originally Posted By mellow01:
how many people have AMEX but no Visa? prob very few.....
how many people have AMEX but no Visa? prob very few.....
I have an AMEX, a Visa CC and a Visa Debit card. Any bulk purchases, I don't use my debit card cause I like to control my cash flow. So that leaves the two CCs. I hate using my Visa because they fucked with me in the past and so its stashed for emergencies that require a CC but can't use the AMEX. Everything else goes on the AMEX and has a credit line to match. I even have my AMEX pair to PayPal.
If I want to drop a few grand on something, and the retailer doesn't take AMEX or PP; I go elsewhere. There have been very very few things I wanted that could not be had elsewhere at a comparable price while accepting AMEX.
ETA:
Its even easier when you are talking about online purchases. Its only a few clicks away to another retailer. In person, its a little different.
3/4/2012 6:56:40 AM
As mentioned - I believe you will find studies supporting the claim that AMEX users spend more on average and have more on average to spend.
Exceptions to every rule of course but the jest of it being more sales than you would have had by not excepting the card which in turn means more net profit than had you not accepted the card.
3/4/2012 9:12:12 AM
Low margin businesses cant afford to accept AMEX. If AIM took AMEX they would have to charge higher prices to cover the higher fees, if they charge higher prices then they are NOT competitive against other vendors that do NOT take AMEX. If everyone had to take AMEX, or if AMEX charged the same fees as everyone else it would be a different story. I doesnt matter to AIM how much you want to spend on your AMEX, what matters to AIM is how much they can make on that purchase. Why would they want to sell $5000 worth of goods making $100 after AMEX fees when they can make $500 after non-AMEX fees. You want AIMs low prices so use a card that doesnt stick them with stupid high fees. Or send them a check or money order. Its not that hard. Really.
3/4/2012 10:18:38 AM
Originally Posted By lvcipriani:
Low margin businesses cant afford to accept AMEX. If AIM took AMEX they would have to charge higher prices to cover the higher fees, if they charge higher prices then they are NOT competitive against other vendors that do NOT take AMEX. If everyone had to take AMEX, or if AMEX charged the same fees as everyone else it would be a different story. I doesnt matter to AIM how much you want to spend on your AMEX, what matters to AIM is how much they can make on that purchase. Why would they want to sell $5000 worth of goods making $100 after AMEX fees when they can make $500 after non-AMEX fees. You want AIMs low prices so use a card that doesnt stick them with stupid high fees. Or send them a check or money order. Its not that hard. Really.
Low margin businesses cant afford to accept AMEX. If AIM took AMEX they would have to charge higher prices to cover the higher fees, if they charge higher prices then they are NOT competitive against other vendors that do NOT take AMEX. If everyone had to take AMEX, or if AMEX charged the same fees as everyone else it would be a different story. I doesnt matter to AIM how much you want to spend on your AMEX, what matters to AIM is how much they can make on that purchase. Why would they want to sell $5000 worth of goods making $100 after AMEX fees when they can make $500 after non-AMEX fees. You want AIMs low prices so use a card that doesnt stick them with stupid high fees. Or send them a check or money order. Its not that hard. Really.
Since you are assuming what matters to AIM (bold) I will add what probably matters to them as well - lost sales. There are many of us that prefer to use the AMEX card. I carry a AMEX charge card and do not carry a regular credit card.
Is it AIM's choice to make this decision? Sure it is. Is it OK for a consumer to tell a vendor what they would like to see offered? I always thought so.
Is that really what you think in regard to the fees (percentages) charged by the credit/charge companies? I can only assume that you made such a crazy comparison for shock value and to illustrate you point.
Reality is 0.5%-3% (high side) on average is what it costs to accept AMEX over something else. Every company/situation is different but my company is charged 1.89% for Visa/MC and 2.9 for AMEX. There are transaction fees that are added as well. We have noticed just over a 5% increase in total CC sales that could be attributed to either the ability to accept the AMEX card (based on the percentage of sales with the AMEX card) or whatever else (fluke) drives consumers to spend more than they might have.
The bottom line for us was ~1% less net profit on 5% increase in sales is more cash in pocket at the end of the day.
3/4/2012 1:01:19 PM
Whats the point of a "lost sale" when the % AMEX takes is close to their profit %
3/4/2012 4:33:06 PM
JC_ is right on the money with regard to actual rates and increased spending by Amex customers. His numbers reflect exactly what we see as well and trust me there is no lower margin business than selling technology.
I have had this conversation with many small business owners in many different fields and most just don't "get" it.
I too have multiple Amex cards and they are the card of choice for me. However, given the perversity of the "I don't take Amex" mentality amongst SMB's I finally succumbed and carry a Visa/MC just in case but more often than not I just find a vendor that will take Amex.
I have had this conversation with many small business owners in many different fields and most just don't "get" it.
I too have multiple Amex cards and they are the card of choice for me. However, given the perversity of the "I don't take Amex" mentality amongst SMB's I finally succumbed and carry a Visa/MC just in case but more often than not I just find a vendor that will take Amex.
3/4/2012 6:41:32 PM
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
3/4/2012 6:51:17 PM
Originally Posted By Highwind:
well I guess $2000 in sales isnt good. where am i going to get surplus ammo now :/
well I guess $2000 in sales isnt good. where am i going to get surplus ammo now :/
You asked why they dont take Amex, and Bryan answered you; double the fees.
I wish AIM would carry Dracos, but the owner doesnt like them. Fair enough. Theres still plenty of great deals at AIM to take advantage of, and that keep me coming back for the things that I want and they carry. You are allowed to shop at multiple places, ya know.
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
3/4/2012 6:59:44 PM
Myself, I prefer NOT to pay more because some prissy insists on using AMEX...
AIM has awesome prices (still love all that 5.45 I bought (without using AMEX) and I don't see the point of making either the seller eat it, or the other customers pay more because AMEX is screwing others...
AIM has awesome prices (still love all that 5.45 I bought (without using AMEX) and I don't see the point of making either the seller eat it, or the other customers pay more because AMEX is screwing others...
3/4/2012 7:11:56 PM
OMG....they like other businesses don't take AMEX.....move on already.
3/4/2012 7:13:16 PM
American Express fees are higher but so are the fees on any of the rewards back cards that are out there.
3/4/2012 7:16:47 PM
Originally Posted By bgenlvtex:
What I find as an Amex card holder is "ah crap you don't take Amex, well somebody else does."
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
What I find as an Amex card holder is "ah crap you don't take Amex, well somebody else does."
i use amex for business expenses (so it doesn't really effect what i would or would not buy from AIM) and i have on many many occasions walked away and found somewhere else to eat/drink/stay/drive me because they wont take amex
3/4/2012 7:49:07 PM
Originally Posted By proto_moose:
WAY higher- Fuck Amex.
Originally Posted By CCWinCA:
AMEX is one of the least accepted mainstream credit cards. It's not just AIM, its a TON of small businesses that don't accept it. The reason being that their fees are higher than say Visa for example.
AMEX is one of the least accepted mainstream credit cards. It's not just AIM, its a TON of small businesses that don't accept it. The reason being that their fees are higher than say Visa for example.
WAY higher- Fuck Amex.
WAY higher. Fuck Amex.
3/4/2012 7:49:56 PM
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
amex charges DOUBLE the fee, and when you eat $300,000-$400,000 a year in credit card fees, it makes it hard to eat more in fees
Yup. For use it was something like 5% vs 2.5% for Visa/MC.
3/4/2012 9:31:17 PM
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
3/5/2012 9:49:01 AM
Originally Posted By Highwind:
:( I was gonna order a almost $2000 worth of stuff
:( I was gonna order a almost $2000 worth of stuff
Bitching about not being able to use an AMEX card to make a $2k purchase, but can't afford a membership here? Wait...maybe they don't accept AMEX either
3/5/2012 10:45:45 AM
Originally Posted By lvcipriani:
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
First of all - I am not complaining about anything. I can and have reluctantly taken my business elsewhere. That of course is no big deal to anyone in the grand scheme of things and I understand that. This is not personal. I posted facts based on my real experiences. I am not making up ridiculous comparisons to try and make a point.
However, the question had been asked and a retailer typically likes feedback from their current customers as well as their potential customers on what they would like to see. What they do with that info is up to them and I certainly respect that. I put out a plain example of what my business has experienced (confirmed by another) by accepting the AMEX card that may or may not mean anything to AIM.
Your reply contradicts itself with the every dime matters argument but it hardly matters to me at this point. I am not going to teach economy 101 to you as my original post on the percentage should have made it to clear to any business minded person how it works. My last ditch attempt is to say that making 5% on something is better than 10% of nothing.
There is no real reason to agree to disagree on anything. Your opinion, as well as mine do not really matter once we gave them and AIM read them. Our dollars and their dollars most likely do and that is what most decisions are made on. And bottom line math is a pretty awesome thing - it rarely lies. You either get it or you don't. It either works for your situation or it does not. Simple really.
3/5/2012 6:13:12 PM
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
Pretty much.
I prefer to use my Amex for purchases, but plenty of my favorite retailers don't accept Amex. When that's the case, I just whip out my Visa or MC instead. For personal (non-corporate) purchases, I can't honestly say I've ever decided to shop somewhere else because a retailer didn't accept one particular credit card.
If I've made up my mind to buy from one particular retailer, it's usually because that particular retailer has the best prices and/or service. Which credit cards they do or don't accept, pretty much never enters into the equation for me.
3/6/2012 5:34:07 AM
I only use my AMEX card when I am eating somewhere fancy like Sizzler or Arbys.
3/6/2012 6:33:00 AM
Originally Posted By StephenNW:
Pretty much.
I prefer to use my Amex for purchases, but plenty of my favorite retailers don't accept Amex. When that's the case, I just whip out my Visa or MC instead. For personal (non-corporate) purchases, I can't honestly say I've ever decided to shop somewhere else because a retailer didn't accept one particular credit card.
If I've made up my mind to buy from one particular retailer, it's usually because that particular retailer has the best prices and/or service. Which credit cards they do or don't accept, pretty much never enters into the equation for me.
Originally Posted By Bryan_Aim:
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
what i find is the Amex card holder says, "ah crap you don't take Amex, well here is my Visa"
Pretty much.
I prefer to use my Amex for purchases, but plenty of my favorite retailers don't accept Amex. When that's the case, I just whip out my Visa or MC instead. For personal (non-corporate) purchases, I can't honestly say I've ever decided to shop somewhere else because a retailer didn't accept one particular credit card.
If I've made up my mind to buy from one particular retailer, it's usually because that particular retailer has the best prices and/or service. Which credit cards they do or don't accept, pretty much never enters into the equation for me.
+1
I use my Delta AMEX whenever I can, from a $2 bottle of water to damned near all of my wedding expenses last month. Whenever someone doesn't take the Delta AMEX, out comes the US Airways Mastercard. Everything is paid off at the end of the month, and I'm far from being a "rich AMEX guy."
I can understand why some do not take it, but I certainly appreciate those who do. I rarely pay for my wife's plane tickets thanks to the Delta AMEX rewards, and if you don't take AMEX, you're helping me get to a free US Airways ticket.
3/6/2012 8:57:31 PM
Originally Posted By Kikken:
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
There are plenty of VISA & MasterCard rewards cards that I'm willing to bet are costing AIM about as much as an AMEX transaction would. Some might even be higher.
I have no dog in the fight, but AMEX users are typically more affluent and spend more. As of recently, "American Express overtook MasterCard to gain second place among credit card brands in the U.S., based on spending at merchants."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-moves-ahead-of-mastercard-us-credit-card-purchase-volume-marks-first-double-digit-growth-since-2007-2012-02-22
3/6/2012 9:20:01 PM
Originally Posted By JC_:
First of all - I am not complaining about anything. I can and have reluctantly taken my business elsewhere. That of course is no big deal to anyone in the grand scheme of things and I understand that. This is not personal. I posted facts based on my real experiences. I am not making up ridiculous comparisons to try and make a point.
Originally Posted By lvcipriani:
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
First of all - I am not complaining about anything. I can and have reluctantly taken my business elsewhere. That of course is no big deal to anyone in the grand scheme of things and I understand that. This is not personal. I posted facts based on my real experiences. I am not making up ridiculous comparisons to try and make a point.
However, the question had been asked and a retailer typically likes feedback from their current customers as well as their potential customers on what they would like to see. What they do with that info is up to them and I certainly respect that. I put out a plain example of what my business has experienced (confirmed by another) by accepting the AMEX card that may or may not mean anything to AIM.
Your reply contradicts itself with the every dime matters argument but it hardly matters to me at this point. I am not going to teach economy 101 to you as my original post on the percentage should have made it to clear to any business minded person how it works. My last ditch attempt is to say that making 5% on something is better than 10% of nothing.
There is no real reason to agree to disagree on anything. Your opinion, as well as mine do not really matter once we gave them and AIM read them. Our dollars and their dollars most likely do and that is what most decisions are made on. And bottom line math is a pretty awesome thing - it rarely lies. You either get it or you don't. It either works for your situation or it does not. Simple really.
Yea, but if your profit margin is only 5% then you are basically working for AMEX. Even if the profit margin is better, there is a principle to consider. Small businesses have enough leaches sucking the life out of them. Most people who have AMEX have some other way to make a payment. I have met very few people who did not have another card available when trying to use the AMEX card.
3/6/2012 10:07:20 PM
Originally Posted By JC_:
First of all - I am not complaining about anything. I can and have reluctantly taken my business elsewhere. That of course is no big deal to anyone in the grand scheme of things and I understand that. This is not personal. I posted facts based on my real experiences. I am not making up ridiculous comparisons to try and make a point.
Originally Posted By lvcipriani:
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
Yes, I am making an assumption about what is important to AIM. I believe its a reasonable assumption since they are a business and Bryan stated the issue was the higher fees. And yes I pulled numbers out of the air to make my point. So what. The conclusion is the same, it's more expensive for them to accept AMEX, they would have to raise their prices, and effectively all their other customers get to subsidize your use of the AMEX. I guess I am not seeing why this is good for me. Yes, at some point it might be more profitable for them to take AMEX than not, in a very low margin business every dime mattters so AMEX fees would have to be more in line with other cards. Why dont you complain to AMEX instead ? Higher sales with lower margins doesnt sound like a recipe for success to me. Well, we will have to agree to disagree.
First of all - I am not complaining about anything. I can and have reluctantly taken my business elsewhere. That of course is no big deal to anyone in the grand scheme of things and I understand that. This is not personal. I posted facts based on my real experiences. I am not making up ridiculous comparisons to try and make a point.
However, the question had been asked and a retailer typically likes feedback from their current customers as well as their potential customers on what they would like to see. What they do with that info is up to them and I certainly respect that. I put out a plain example of what my business has experienced (confirmed by another) by accepting the AMEX card that may or may not mean anything to AIM.
Your reply contradicts itself with the every dime matters argument but it hardly matters to me at this point. I am not going to teach economy 101 to you as my original post on the percentage should have made it to clear to any business minded person how it works. My last ditch attempt is to say that making 5% on something is better than 10% of nothing.
There is no real reason to agree to disagree on anything. Your opinion, as well as mine do not really matter once we gave them and AIM read them. Our dollars and their dollars most likely do and that is what most decisions are made on. And bottom line math is a pretty awesome thing - it rarely lies. You either get it or you don't. It either works for your situation or it does not. Simple really.
if i thought everyone who currently uses visa would still use visa you are correct..............BUT lets say 15 % off visa users decide to start using their AMEX, then i am not picking up new business, i am paying extra for business i already have
3/6/2012 10:12:00 PM
Originally Posted By rgaper:
There are plenty of VISA & MasterCard rewards cards that I'm willing to bet are costing AIM about as much as an AMEX transaction would. Some might even be higher.
I have no dog in the fight, but AMEX users are typically more affluent and spend more. As of recently, "American Express overtook MasterCard to gain second place among credit card brands in the U.S., based on spending at merchants."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-moves-ahead-of-mastercard-us-credit-card-purchase-volume-marks-first-double-digit-growth-since-2007-2012-02-22
Originally Posted By Kikken:
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
There are plenty of VISA & MasterCard rewards cards that I'm willing to bet are costing AIM about as much as an AMEX transaction would. Some might even be higher.
I have no dog in the fight, but AMEX users are typically more affluent and spend more. As of recently, "American Express overtook MasterCard to gain second place among credit card brands in the U.S., based on spending at merchants."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-moves-ahead-of-mastercard-us-credit-card-purchase-volume-marks-first-double-digit-growth-since-2007-2012-02-22
sure, I agree Amex users may be more affluent, BUT the guy who sells me processing of all cards, agreed that card holders who clicks the buy now button, and complete their shopping cart, have made up their mind about the purchase BEFORE getting to the type of card accepted, and if you don't take Amex, they will almost ALWAYS pull their visa/mastercard/discover card out. who has read all the studies, he sells processing for all 4 card types, i took his word for it. ie....i do the same thing with my amex business card, if the vendor doesn't take it, i whip out the other cards.
3/6/2012 10:12:39 PM
Originally Posted By rgaper:
There are plenty of VISA & MasterCard rewards cards that I'm willing to bet are costing AIM about as much as an AMEX transaction would. Some might even be higher.
I have no dog in the fight, but AMEX users are typically more affluent and spend more. As of recently, "American Express overtook MasterCard to gain second place among credit card brands in the U.S., based on spending at merchants."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-moves-ahead-of-mastercard-us-credit-card-purchase-volume-marks-first-double-digit-growth-since-2007-2012-02-22
Originally Posted By Kikken:
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
Hi AIM!
Just wanted to drop you a quick "Thank You" for not taking Amex. It's nice to know that my purchases are not subsidizing the purchases of those who want to use Amex to fund their freebies.
With love and orders,
Kikken
There are plenty of VISA & MasterCard rewards cards that I'm willing to bet are costing AIM about as much as an AMEX transaction would. Some might even be higher.
I have no dog in the fight, but AMEX users are typically more affluent and spend more. As of recently, "American Express overtook MasterCard to gain second place among credit card brands in the U.S., based on spending at merchants."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/american-express-moves-ahead-of-mastercard-us-credit-card-purchase-volume-marks-first-double-digit-growth-since-2007-2012-02-22
rewards cards do cost more, but still less than amex
3/6/2012 10:13:29 PM
no matter how much we talk about it, the ownner won't accept amex, but I appreciate the feedback
