hi,

i wanted to share some problems i have when using discover card in china. I was planned to buy certain expensive products visited few stores and here are their problems. (please notice all store i went to DO accept UNION PAY).

1st store, they told me they wont accept discover card at that time. i showed them the little printout and they still said no. they also called to the unionpay hotline, verified my account is valid but the answer they got from union pay is that their machine was NOT ready to take discover card.

2nd store, they said they would ok to give a try on the credit card. after a swipe, some error messages pops up. The clerk told me to check is the card still valid or not. I went downstairs to buy some 20rmb from supermarket, pay from the card and it worked!! So i go back up and say the card is valid and keep swiping. The swiped total of 5 times and said the same messages pop up again. So i have to find another store.

3rd store, they said they have trained to use discover card and noticed it was treated as a unionpay card. But the superivisor came down and told me that they cant accept discover card starting with 6011. I asked why and she said is just company policies.

4th, the last store, the clerk said they would trained to to use discover card and they CAN accept discover card. However, she said she has NOT seen any one using discover card since she worked. She asked where i came from i said usa and she nicely swiped my card. The card went through and i finally get my stuff.

Conclusion: dont expect all merchant display union pay logo also accept discovercard. I have been to 4 stores and 3 stores were NOT accepting them. I was curisouly to also ask does why this happen? ANy one know?

Thanks.