American Express

[carracer]

I received a facebook message from my favorite gun store today. American Express is having a "Small Business Saturday" event after black friday. Gives Am Ex users a $25 credit on their card to shop at registered stores that are truly small business's. Great! Except... firearms dealers are excluded as being "controversial".

Well... needless to say, I won't be using my American Express card this year. Or in the future.

*For the purpose of this Program, qualifying small businesses include small, locally-owned storefront and online businesses with $10 million in annual revenue or less. Businesses in the following industries are excluded: government agencies, charities, non-profits, trade associations, shopping property management firms, political, religious and educational organizations. Small businesses that are part of a franchise brand with more than 100 stores are excluded. Additionally, if a franchise brand has more than 20 corporate-owned units, then the entire brand is excluded. Small businesses that promote any of the following are not eligible for the Program: pharmaceuticals, drugs, politics, pornography or sexual aids, diet aids, gambling, liquor, tobacco, firearms/weapons, or any sensitive topic with respect to current events.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[dbglock]

So if Mastercard and Visa do the same thing you'll be credit-free?

[archer51]

Small businesses that promote any of the following are not eligible for the Program: pharmaceuticals, drugs, politics, pornography or sexual aids, diet aids, gambling, liquor, tobacco, firearms/weapons, or any sensitive topic with respect to current events.

Well it's not like they are picking on just firearms dealers. If it's a small Mom & Pop operation, maybe you can get them to bill it as "Safety Equipment".

[OldVet]

Or pest repellant.

[ccw9mm]

Small businesses that promote any of the following are not eligible for the Program: pharmaceuticals, drugs, politics, pornography or sexual aids, diet aids, gambling, liquor, tobacco, firearms/weapons, or any sensitive topic with respect to current events.

That pretty much leaves out grocery stores, Wal-Mart, most corner shops (which have one or more of those things), sporting goods shops, and any store that sells newspapers or periodicals. Sounds like they're leaving it open for Saks Fifth Avenue, Pep-Boys and push-cart vendors, though. Cool.

[carracer]

The business has to register with Am Ex to participate. At that point they are rejected.

[rstickle]

Out of all those restrictions firearms/weapons are all you take offense to??

[wmhawth]

American Express is having a "Small Business Saturday" event after black friday. Gives Am Ex users a $25 credit on their card to shop at registered stores that are truly small business's. Great! Except... firearms dealers are excluded as being "controversial".

Well... needless to say, I won't be using my American Express card this year. Or in the future.

So if Amex had just not offered the $25 credit on anything in the first place you would still be using the card? Logic??

[PEF]

To repeat the list of restricted businesses: pharmaceuticals, drugs, politics, pornography or sexual aids, diet aids, gambling, liquor, tobacco, firearms/weapons, or any sensitive topic with respect to current events.

Heck, most of those businesses offer the stuff I'm interested in!

[high pockets]

That's all lawyer speak for, "we're going to make it sound good, but we're not really offering anything."