Need workaround for businesses that won't accept AMEX
Aug 17, 2012, 7:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
Need workaround for businesses that won't accept AMEX
I am remodeling my bathroom and many of my vendors don't accept AMEX. It's about 10,000 worth and I would like it to qualify for my threshold if possible or it seems a waste of benefits.
Any workarounds to this? I have the cash, but just need to get some AMEX credit for it
Any workarounds to this? I have the cash, but just need to get some AMEX credit for it
Aug 17, 2012, 8:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
I am remodeling my bathroom and many of my vendors don't accept AMEX. It's about 10,000 worth and I would like it to qualify for my threshold if possible or it seems a waste of benefits.
Any workarounds to this? I have the cash, but just need to get some AMEX credit for it
Any workarounds to this? I have the cash, but just need to get some AMEX credit for it
Use a Visa, MasterCard or Discover. I don't see any other options.
Aug 17, 2012, 8:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 2,120
What about buying gift cards from 3rd party retailers? Or does that not earn AMEX points (I'm still new at MR)? I am thinking that even if you can't use HomeDepot or Rona cards, you could buy the VISA or MC gift cards that can be used anywhere. Problem is they usually have a lower limit so you'd need a ton of individual cards per transaction which may run you into issues too. But it's worth looking into.
Aug 17, 2012, 9:00 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,690
You could ask them to get a SQUARE merchant account. I would send them a link that shows Square only charges +2.?% for Amex. But to be frank...A lot contractors are going to shy away from Amex just on the basis that Amex is very agressive on behalf of cardholders if their is a dispute. I know plastic surgeon who refuses all credit cards just so he does not have to deal with chargebacks aka disputes
The only other method is you could ask that contractor to let you buy the supplies direct. Contractor will not like that for several reasons. Either way you are making a messy transaction that may bite you later on various issues that are not worth it
The only other method is you could ask that contractor to let you buy the supplies direct. Contractor will not like that for several reasons. Either way you are making a messy transaction that may bite you later on various issues that are not worth it
Aug 17, 2012, 9:03 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
I was looking to buy a 5000 mc prepaid and or gift card and could not find one. I only could find one for $500. My new shower doors are $4500 I don't think I could get them to use 9 gift cards.
Amex gifts don't count towards your spend threshold.
Anyone know of a retailer where you an buy $1000 gift cards for Visa?
Amex gifts don't count towards your spend threshold.
Anyone know of a retailer where you an buy $1000 gift cards for Visa?
Aug 17, 2012, 9:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MSY
Programs: NW Gold and now Delta Gold
Posts: 3,072
When we remodeled our bathroom we did the work ourselves, and you can buy the materials at Home Depot, as we did, which I assure you takes Amex. But you have to be handy. Bathrooms are not very difficult though so it's a thought, yes? As another poster says, many contractors are basically you know what bags and they are worried about chargebacks, so you can forget about a d. taking a card that can be charged back.
Aug 17, 2012, 9:29 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
When we remodeled our bathroom we did the work ourselves, and you can buy the materials at Home Depot, as we did, which I assure you takes Amex. But you have to be handy. Bathrooms are not very difficult though so it's a thought, yes? As another poster says, many contractors are basically you know what bags and they are worried about chargebacks, so you can forget about a d. taking a card that can be charged back.
I have worked it out with my contractors to let me purchase all of the materials from Home Depot already. It's the Labor and the shower people I am having issues. Amex spent a lot of time with me trying to find a workaround and they suggested purchasing gift cards (nonamex) I am just trying to find the largest denomination that I can purchase using a credit card. I think I found a place with $1000 increments, so that might solve my issue.
Aug 17, 2012, 9:31 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
You could ask them to get a SQUARE merchant account. I would send them a link that shows Square only charges +2.?% for Amex. But to be frank...A lot contractors are going to shy away from Amex just on the basis that Amex is very agressive on behalf of cardholders if their is a dispute. I know plastic surgeon who refuses all credit cards just so he does not have to deal with chargebacks aka disputes
The only other method is you could ask that contractor to let you buy the supplies direct. Contractor will not like that for several reasons. Either way you are making a messy transaction that may bite you later on various issues that are not worth it
The only other method is you could ask that contractor to let you buy the supplies direct. Contractor will not like that for several reasons. Either way you are making a messy transaction that may bite you later on various issues that are not worth it
Aug 17, 2012, 9:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 393
I was looking to buy a 5000 mc prepaid and or gift card and could not find one. I only could find one for $500. My new shower doors are $4500 I don't think I could get them to use 9 gift cards.
Amex gifts don't count towards your spend threshold.
Anyone know of a retailer where you an buy $1000 gift cards for Visa?
Amex gifts don't count towards your spend threshold.
Anyone know of a retailer where you an buy $1000 gift cards for Visa?
Aug 18, 2012, 8:32 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
I found $750 and $1000 the $1000 only if it is a corporate account, which I can use my business, seems like they will take a credit card, but they have to call you first. Will let you know if it works and if they will take AMEX. Fingers crossed.
Aug 18, 2012, 12:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,387
We have suppliers that take all cards, and they're not shy about telling you their preference (Visa or MC). But with the economy the way it is (and the number of dirtbag contractors out there), they're just happy to get paid on time.
Aug 19, 2012, 9:04 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
That's why I was so surprised that the company I want to make my shower doors was willing to walk away from a $5000 sale. Normally I can get a company to give I , but this one would not.
Still waiting to hear from Visa, hoping to hear something tomorrow.
Still waiting to hear from Visa, hoping to hear something tomorrow.
Aug 19, 2012, 10:24 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: StarAlliance (Aeroplan)
Posts: 498
Yes, Paypal takes Amex Cards for their usual fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. And this WILL count as a purchase.
You are correct, the Gift card itself does not count towards your spending threshold but when you use your Amex to buy a Gift card in a store (Let's say Safeway) the actual purchase of the Gift Card does count as it's a normal purchase in a grocery store. I do it regularly with Starbucks cards.
The difficulty you may encounter is the 4-6% user fee when you purchase Visa or MC cards. (All the Visa/MC cards I've seen in Canada have a user fee).
You are correct, the Gift card itself does not count towards your spending threshold but when you use your Amex to buy a Gift card in a store (Let's say Safeway) the actual purchase of the Gift Card does count as it's a normal purchase in a grocery store. I do it regularly with Starbucks cards.
The difficulty you may encounter is the 4-6% user fee when you purchase Visa or MC cards. (All the Visa/MC cards I've seen in Canada have a user fee).
Aug 19, 2012, 1:24 pm
#15
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