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.

 

[sdprof]

pharmaceuticals, drugs

So they don't care about the small town, mom and pop drug stores? So much for Main Street.

I don't have an AMEX card anyway, so no skin off my nose.

 

[Nightmare45]

Gave mine up years ago, glad I did.

 

[Deserteagle]

Good thing I dont have one of their cards anyway

 

[Sir Diealotz]

Never had an American Express card, didn't know AE still existed.

 

[walt629]

I have one and I use it every day. My local favorite gun shop and every eNet store I shop accepts it without problems. So I'm supposed to stop commerce with these people because my credit card provider has defined gun related transactions as 'controversial'?

Guns ARE controversial in our society. Calling something controversial is not the same as denying services or having a stand against something or actively contributing to a cause.

http:Anti-gun Companies, Organizations, Media And Celebrities - Gun Owners Of America

/www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/08/11/a-list-of-organizations-with-anti-gun-policies/

American Express does not have a national policy, that I have been able to find, that specifically denies guns or gun ownership. I think the caveat for the stand off of guns is the last part of the statement.

firearms/weapons, or any sensitive topic with respect to current events.

emphasis added

With the events involving Gabbie Giffords and Aurora Colorado plus the flurry of recent high profile shootings that have made national news, wanting to distance themselves from the criminal aspect is understandable. I would much rather prefer that they take a stance on positive gun ownership but it is their business to do as they see fit, just as it is for you to no longer use the card.

 

[mappow]

51% of this country are morons. So if AMX did a impact study on whether to support gun ownership or discounts rebates then by statics the morons win. AND the beat goes on....

 

[carracer]

Guns ARE controversial in our society. Calling something controversial is not the same as denying services or having a stand against something or actively contributing to a cause.

http:Anti-gun Companies, Organizations, Media And Celebrities - Gun Owners Of America

/www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/08/11/a-list-of-organizations-with-anti-gun-policies/

American Express does not have a national policy, that I have been able to find, that specifically denies guns or gun ownership. I think the caveat for the stand off of guns is the last part of the statement.

emphasis added

.

Did you read the part about them "Denying" this program to those they feel "sensitive" to? I think that now qualifies as a national policy since it is stated nationally. Distancing from a criminal aspect is one thing. Distancing from Legal Small Business sales is another. They have made their statement, I have made mine. My local small business gun shop has made theirs. Am. Ex. gets no more of my money and is no longer accepted at his store.

 

[mappow]

Did you read the part about them "Denying" this program to those they feel "sensitive" to? I think that now qualifies as a national policy since it is stated nationally. Distancing from a criminal aspect is one thing. Distancing from Legal Small Business sales is another. They have made their statement, I have made mine. My local small business gun shop has made theirs. Am. Ex. gets no more of my money and is no longer accepted at his store.

That's being awful sensitive isn't it carracer? Great business decision as well by you. The only reason we have an AMEX card is for Cosco, thinking about cancelling it now.

 

[kerb]

51% of this country are morons. So if AMX did a impact study on whether to support gun ownership or discounts rebates then by statics the morons win. AND the beat goes on....

You are much too generous.
Only about 60% of people voted at all from what I can find. So by my math, (40% non-voters, 31% Obama voters) that makes 71% of this country morons.

 

[walt629]

Did you read the part about them "Denying" this program to those they feel "sensitive" to? I think that now qualifies as a national policy since it is stated nationally. Distancing from a criminal aspect is one thing. Distancing from Legal Small Business sales is another. They have made their statement, I have made mine. My local small business gun shop has made theirs. Am. Ex. gets no more of my money and is no longer accepted at his store.

Umm.. did you read the last paragraph? Obviously not.

 

[carracer]

Walt, so you are saying in your last paragraph that Am Ex relates legitimate and legal firearms dealers to the criminal aspect. Precisely my point.

 

[White Doberman]

I use Discover for any and all firearms related purchases. Money back too!