Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacies Block Apple Pay

POST

MAIL

Posted October 26, 2014 at 7:54am by iClarified

Rite Aid and CVS pharmacies are blocking Apple Pay. The companies are two of the at least fifty eight companies that have signed up to support the rival CurrenctC mobile payments solution, reports TechCrunch.

The goal of CurrentC is to let retailers bypass the 2-3% fees charged by credit card companies. Spearheaded by Walmart, a company called MCX (Merchant Customer Exchange) has developed a solution that links mobile payments directly to customers bank accounts. Unfortunately, rather than NFC, CurrentC uses QR codes to initiate transactions.

When it’s time for a user to check out, they request to pay with CurrentC. The consumer then unlocks their phone, opens the CurrentC app, opens the code scanner, and scans the QR code shown on the cashier’s screen. In some case, the reverse may happen where the consumer’s CurrentC app displays a payment code and the cashier scans it. If a QR code can’t be generated, a manually entered numeric code may be offered.

Rather than sending the customer’s financial data over the air, transactions trigger the transmission of a token placeholder. This is then securely converted by the financial institution to process the ACH payment and charge the user. CurrentC also has a method in place for paying at gas station pumps. It shows the consumer a code on their phone that can then be entered on the pump keypad to initiate a CurrentC payment.

MCX asked retailers to pay a big $250,000-$500,000 upfront fee to get onboard with the solution. In addition, a three mobile payment app exclusivity deal was required. Retailers who signed up may have had a one-year grace period to bail out. This would explain why CVS, Rite Aid, and others may need to block Apple Pay.

A document allegedly leaked from Rite Aid reads:

--
Please note that we do not accept Apple Pay at this time. However we are currently working with a group of large retailers to develop a mobile wallet that allows for mobile payments attached to credit cards and bank accounts directly from a smart phone. We expect to have this feature available in the first half of 2015.

If customers attempt to pay for a transaction with Apple Pay, a message will prompt both customer and cashier for a different form of payment. Please instruct cashiers to apologize to the customer and explain that we do not currently accept Apple Pay, but will have our own mobile wallet next year.
--

While CurrentC may be clumsier than Apple Pay. Perhaps the new competition from Apple Pay will convince retailers to share some of their transaction fee savings with customers.

Notably, the CurrentC app is already on the App Store; however, an invite code is needed to use it. Hit the link below for more details...

Read More [Download]

Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacies Block Apple Pay

Follow iClarified

Downer - October 28, 2014 at 5:21am

I don't use any online software or apps that tap directly into my bank account and this goes for PayPal as well. Sorry, I prefer the buffer against mischarges that I get by using a credit card.

Reply · Like

Producer James - October 27, 2014 at 2:15am

Companies are free to do what they like when it comes to payment systems and methods. In the end, if CVS and Rite Aid take a big enough hit to their bottom line they will find away to make Apple Pay work with their business plan. This is what the free market is all about. As a consumer, you can choose who you want to give your money to for goods and services. If Apple Pay works for you then spend your money at those establishments that use it. In the end, the almighty dollar will determine who will succeed and what businesses will use to process those payments. As a person who uses Apple Pay, I will shop at those retailer who choice to use it. If enough people do the same thing CVS & Rite Aid will start using it as well.

Construtc full version - November 11, 2014 at 5:14am

Constrac full vision

Great! - October 27, 2014 at 1:27am

Oh, they also require your health data as well. So to use their system, you will need to wake phone, run app, scan qr code or punch in some numbers they flash at you, they scan the code from your device, and you send them your payment details and health info to store in their cloud service. The service doesn't use your credit card info. It ties directly into your bank account. So safe. So secure. Merchants have data about your spending and your health and a direct line to your bank account. Yes, this is preferable over Apple Pay.

Great! - October 27, 2014 at 12:54am

Do you know that currentc tracks users spending habits? So they give up the 2-3% and in return they get tracking info on their customers. You as a customer is happy with that?

Techno - October 27, 2014 at 3:26am

CurrentC will charge the business to buy into their solution then market the buying habits of the consumer. They also store your financial information, unfortunately it's just a matter of time this company will fall in its face when the secure becomes unsecured by hackers. The CurrebtC solutions may use encryptions but that encryption is stored in their server where all you need is a decrypter to siphon the information. In another word, leaves a trade and caches the data into their so called vault. I rather pay 50 cents so that my information is vaporizer immediately after each purchase with ever changing CC info. It's not Apple Pay that takes the interest it's the CC company and Banks. It's what they do.

dave vangina - October 26, 2014 at 9:21pm

truth is Apple Pay is for wealthy 1%, who do not care about transaction fees. Possibly also terrorists, these also do not care about fees, with important benefit iPhones can no longer be accessed by FBI

Great! - October 27, 2014 at 1:26am

Oh, they also require your health data as well. So to use their system, you will need to wake phone, run app, scan qr code or punch in some numbers they flash at you, they scan the code from your device, and you send them your payment details and health info to store in their cloud service. The service doesn't use your credit card info. It tied directly into your bank account. So safe. So secure. Merchants have data about your spending and your health and a direct line to your bank account. Yes, this is preferable over Apple Pay.

StewartG - October 26, 2014 at 3:09pm

I've always preferred Walgreens and now I'm even happier about that.

Capi... Tan obvious - October 26, 2014 at 2:50pm

If apple really wanted to be a b|£ch they would kick all the retailer that dont use apple pay off the app store like they did bose out of apple stores. Hahaha apple will win just keep that in mind.

What142 - October 26, 2014 at 1:45pm

I don't understand why all of you "apple pay" fans think it's safe to use..... It's NOT!!!

Zanka - October 26, 2014 at 7:48pm

Tokenization. Still. As the old saying goes anything coded can be hacked. Just a matter of time.

Great! - October 27, 2014 at 12:55am

So currentc tracks your spending habits. Is that safer?

Techno - October 27, 2014 at 2:48am

Your experience with an android software got you so confused on what is safe and what is vapor ware. I suppose you'll have time to read the details since you obviously spend a lot of time commenting on this website. Look up hardware incrytions with software security and you will find Apple Pay. I promise it will not show any Samsung devices if you google it.

Producer James - October 27, 2014 at 2:55am

I'm interested for you to tell me why it isn't safe? What are the dangers of using Apple Pay?

Za - October 26, 2014 at 12:21pm

Goodbye CVS and Rite Aid. Dumb decision. I'll take my money next door to Walgreens.

Rule the world - October 26, 2014 at 11:28am

This is Apples bigger plan. They have lost the plot and not want to go into every single thing. What does a computer company making hardware and software have to do with payment systems? Apple will make more money from Apple Pay than it has ever done with its hardware and music sales. They are no longer after money but after POWER. No ONE company or entity should have this much power in the world. I agree on the easier mobile payment systems but for it to be eventually "owned" by Apple is not my cup of tea.

SimonSays - October 26, 2014 at 3:33pm

Bring on the tinfoil hats!!!!

sillydrew - October 27, 2014 at 5:49am

That guy most likely watches Fox News which has our society f'ed up as it is right now. Fear mongering.

Bryan - October 27, 2014 at 11:59am

It would be Apple 4 PLY!!! :D

Ken - October 26, 2014 at 10:31am

So this would mean they wouldn't accept any form of NFC based payment system then?

Great! - October 27, 2014 at 1:19am

Yes. They have chosen to only exclusively take non-cash payment via currentc.

Ren - October 26, 2014 at 10:25am

Sheep will hate it! As fanboy sell limbs, relatives and steal just to get iphone.

Taxpayer - October 26, 2014 at 8:35am

wow just to avoid the cc processing fees cvs and rite aid is going to hold up everyone. The whole purpose of mobile pay was to expedited the paying process. If cvs and rite aid wants to hate on apple pay, Apple should simply block this lousy app from its App Store.

Producer James - October 27, 2014 at 2:29am

Apple will not hold this against CVS or Rite Aid by pulling their Apps from the store. Apple looks at the bigger picture and will respect their wishes cause they know it will change very soon. This is nothing like the Bose issues at all. Apple is not in the pharmaceuticals / general merchandise retail business. Bose has products that directly compete with Apple's products. By eliminating Bose in their retail locations and online eliminates the consumers exposure to those products. By eliminating or stopping support for the CVS and Rite Aid apps only makes Apple look bad and like a bully. If CVS and Rite Aid take a major hit on their bottom line they will be supporting Apple Pay very soon in the near future.

King Rollo - October 26, 2014 at 8:17am

Fail the only thing the user is going to get is a smack in the head for holding the queue up using this junk..

seq2 - October 26, 2014 at 8:12am

Stupid move... They'll get less customers in long run. More iPhone users will go to places with Apple Pay.

Crap-enC - October 26, 2014 at 8:09am

Yeah because I want to unlock my phone and have to open a CVS or CurrenC app to pay. No thanks. *Walks into Walgreens*

Great! - October 26, 2014 at 8:08am

Another doubter of Apple Pay. Come on, this is so klunky. No one will want to use this silly way of paying for things. Apple Pay is so elegant and simple. And definitely more secure.