Amex not accepted

I bought a PC from PC world just before Xmas for £1,500. You guessed it, the guy at the till said that they don't take Amex. 3,000 points down the drain. Went in yesterday to buy some paper for £5.00, pulled the black card out and just happened to mention that they don't take it, and she says "yes we do" and put it through. I lost 3,000 because some pimple face told me wrong info. This is all brought about because EVERYTIME I pull the card out in a shop, I have to ask if they accept it, something I don't even think about with MC or Visa. I am bloody furious, I paid £115? for this thing (more than the cost of the first 6,000 miles) and it's just a plain farce!! I tried to return it after the first week and get a refund of my fee, but was told that because I had used it, no go.!!!

I almost feel apologetic when I get out my Amex card - and have now been conditioned to expect a rejection.....[:#]

Following on from the PC World story, I would be inclined to complain to PCWorld and see what they say. I had a similar experience in another store and they refunded my VISA and then took the payment from the AmEx.

On the topic, I know what you mean, you feel you need to apologise for using it. Its worse when for example John Lewis Bluewater accept AmEx and John Lewis Welwyn do not!

One thing I have noticed when it comes to 'not accepting your card' is that often when they try to use chip and pin, it fails, but swiping the card on their terminal works.

G.

[Neil]

Originally posted by GrahamN
One thing I have noticed when it comes to 'not accepting your card' is that often when they try to use chip and pin, it fails, but swiping the card on their terminal works.

G.

I have also had this happen, the chip & pin machined kept saying not accepted and the guy serving me started to tell me they don't accept Amex, until I pointed out the little Amex logo on the "cards we accept" sticker, so he swiped it and it went through no problem.

As for asking before trying to use your Amex, I wouldn't dream of doing that, I always offer it as my first choice and if they say we don't accept it (which has happened only twice!) then I moan at them for not accepting it. Makes them feel guilty rather than me[}:)]

Neil

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by Attitude23
I have also had this happen, the chip & pin machined kept saying not accepted and the guy serving me started to tell me they don't accept Amex, until I pointed out the little Amex logo on the "cards we accept" sticker

I have experienced that too, and then they begrudgingly take the AmEx, complaining of the extra charges they'll get. Sorry, but if you dont want to pay the extra rate for the AmEx card, dont display the sign! I'll take my business elsewhere.

I've actually just had to up the limit on my BMI card as i had yet another large purchase to make from somewhere that doesn't take AmEx. It's a right royal pain in the butt. Still, i guess i'll soon be flying somewhere nice through *A with all those miles!

Thanks,
Sarah

I didn't renew my chargecard this year, I was fed up of the embarassment in shops of being told it wasn't accepted.

Hi this is my first post.

I to have had problems using my Amex card, I run a small village Social Club where we raise money for the Childrens Sports teams.
This is voulntary job which takes around 15 hours a week, My deal with the club was I will use my Credit Card to pay for the drink and snacks get my miles and intern sponcer a fun evening to raise more funds this costs me around £300.
I now cannot use the Amex at either the Beer wholesellers or Bookers the largest C&C in the UK So no points.

I will however keep the fun evening going. It's just to show how these changes effect folks in various ways.

Well i am well and truly peeved today!

First of all went to fill up at shell garage and got told "no" we dont accept amex

secondly went to a well known celebrity hairdressing salon and got told "sorry we dont take amex anymore as they charge far too much"


Argh!!!

I have only had this card since Oct and i have barely used it because its not widely accepted!!!

The only problem i ever have with my amex is in John Lewis and Pets at Home, or sometimes smaller locally owned shops/bars. Though i did get given an amex wallet in one restaurant with my bill inside only to hand them my amex card and be told that they don't accept it!!