PayPass, and PRIZES!
I'm not sure how many of you actually have and/or use or even know that much about PayPass technology, but even though I've had my own MasterCard Debit Card, completely PayPass-ready for over a year, I'm being told it's still pretty new stuff. And okay, looking at the number of retailers that actually give you the option to use PayPass, I could forgive you for thinking that it's not actually a Thing that People Use. But it totally is, guys. It totally is.
A couple months ago, The Soup (a word-of-mouth marketing agency not to be confused with the celebrity news show hosted by Joel McHale) approached me to help them promote and review what promised to be a pretty kick-ass new technology called PayPass. It basically works like a keycard or debit card, in that it takes money straight from your bank account, but instead of having to enter a PIN or signing a receipt, all you have to do is tap your card against the machine and BOOM! paid for! So it's perfect for if you're in a rush and/or have a hard time remembering your PIN or signature (which I'll admit, are things I sometimes have trouble with).
It's also perfect for anyone who steals your wallet. I've been talking to a couple other people who've used PayPass, and a major concern is the lack of security which seems to come with using the "tap and go" system. Although MasterCard claims that using PayPass is no more risky than swiping your card, other people's experiences beg to differ. One girl had her card stolen, and the thief was able to get away with making a few small purchases with her card before she could cancel it. The happy ending to the story is that the bank reimbursed the money she'd lost, no questions asked, so that's good. The risk factor is minimised even more by the fact that PayPass can only be used in transactions $100 and under.
Admittedly, I don't use PayPass too much; typing PINs only hinder transactions by a few seconds, and by now it's a process I've come to know and love (much like following all the instructions on a self-checkout machine). I used it sometime last year, at a 7-eleven, when I bought a Magnum and wondered what it would be like to simply Tap And Go. Turns out, it's not really that exciting, and left me with a vague sense of unease. More recently (last night) I was also going to use it at the Kingsford McDonalds', but it turns out they don't have the PayPass machines. *shrugs* whatcha gonna do?
But despite its flaws, I think PayPass technology has some real potential. evennexsoul points out that PayPass could be integrated with public transport, so that Sydney can have its own version of the MyKi, Oyster and Octopus cards. I wholeheartedly agree, because I for one care a lot more about speed and ease of use in a bus or train than I do in a supermarket line. Mastercard and Sydney Transport, get on this!
Right now, PayPass technology is being used at the following retail outlets:
7-eleven
Dymocks
Bunnings
Terry White
JB Hi-Fi
selected IGAs
Boost Juice
Red Rooster
KFC
Subway
Basement Books (thanks, cutato!)
I notice that most of these places are fast food places, or retailers that sell things people need in a hurry (groceries! lightbulbs! medication!) and honestly, I think that's where PayPass should stay. I think it's pretty good as a niche technology, but should not necessarily be used everywhere.
(I also notice McDonalds' isn't actually on that list. This would probably explain why I couldn't use it last night. Also why my brother complained about the PayPass system at another McDonalds' wasn't working a couple of weeks ago. They simply do not have it. McDonalds', you should probably take a leaf from Boost, KFC and Subway and get aboard the PayPass train.)
Okay, here comes the ~fun part for you guys. As part of the PayPass review/promotion, The Soup gave me three $50 MasterCard Prepaid Gift Cards and a La Premiere double gift pass to give away on my blog. But you're gonna have to work for it, guys. To be in the running to win one of these ~fabulous prizes, just comment with your answer to the question "What's the best thing since sliced bread in your life?" Best, most creative answer wins the La Premiere double pass, and the three runners up get a gift card.
The competition ends on the 30th of April. GOOD LUCK.
A couple months ago, The Soup (a word-of-mouth marketing agency not to be confused with the celebrity news show hosted by Joel McHale) approached me to help them promote and review what promised to be a pretty kick-ass new technology called PayPass. It basically works like a keycard or debit card, in that it takes money straight from your bank account, but instead of having to enter a PIN or signing a receipt, all you have to do is tap your card against the machine and BOOM! paid for! So it's perfect for if you're in a rush and/or have a hard time remembering your PIN or signature (which I'll admit, are things I sometimes have trouble with).
It's also perfect for anyone who steals your wallet. I've been talking to a couple other people who've used PayPass, and a major concern is the lack of security which seems to come with using the "tap and go" system. Although MasterCard claims that using PayPass is no more risky than swiping your card, other people's experiences beg to differ. One girl had her card stolen, and the thief was able to get away with making a few small purchases with her card before she could cancel it. The happy ending to the story is that the bank reimbursed the money she'd lost, no questions asked, so that's good. The risk factor is minimised even more by the fact that PayPass can only be used in transactions $100 and under.
Admittedly, I don't use PayPass too much; typing PINs only hinder transactions by a few seconds, and by now it's a process I've come to know and love (much like following all the instructions on a self-checkout machine). I used it sometime last year, at a 7-eleven, when I bought a Magnum and wondered what it would be like to simply Tap And Go. Turns out, it's not really that exciting, and left me with a vague sense of unease. More recently (last night) I was also going to use it at the Kingsford McDonalds', but it turns out they don't have the PayPass machines. *shrugs* whatcha gonna do?
But despite its flaws, I think PayPass technology has some real potential. evennexsoul points out that PayPass could be integrated with public transport, so that Sydney can have its own version of the MyKi, Oyster and Octopus cards. I wholeheartedly agree, because I for one care a lot more about speed and ease of use in a bus or train than I do in a supermarket line. Mastercard and Sydney Transport, get on this!
Right now, PayPass technology is being used at the following retail outlets:
I notice that most of these places are fast food places, or retailers that sell things people need in a hurry (groceries! lightbulbs! medication!) and honestly, I think that's where PayPass should stay. I think it's pretty good as a niche technology, but should not necessarily be used everywhere.
(I also notice McDonalds' isn't actually on that list. This would probably explain why I couldn't use it last night. Also why my brother complained about the PayPass system at another McDonalds' wasn't working a couple of weeks ago. They simply do not have it. McDonalds', you should probably take a leaf from Boost, KFC and Subway and get aboard the PayPass train.)
Okay, here comes the ~fun part for you guys. As part of the PayPass review/promotion, The Soup gave me three $50 MasterCard Prepaid Gift Cards and a La Premiere double gift pass to give away on my blog. But you're gonna have to work for it, guys. To be in the running to win one of these ~fabulous prizes, just comment with your answer to the question "What's the best thing since sliced bread in your life?" Best, most creative answer wins the La Premiere double pass, and the three runners up get a gift card.
The competition ends on the 30th of April. GOOD LUCK.