The MIR audience is brilliant. You’re all stars. James Body of Truphone in particular — he tweeted me this morning suggesting that I take a look at shoe-repair and photography chain, Timpson:
@ew4n @mobileindustry How is the #GemaltoNFC Challenge going? There are only so many burgers that you can eat – Hurrah for Timsons !
— James Body (@jamesbody) November 19, 2012
They’re all contactless, apparently.
I did a quick search and sure enough, it appears they’ve deployed the technology across their stores.
As it happens, I do need some new shoelaces. Normally I order them in a blink-of-an-eye via Amazon however on this occasion I’m changing strategy. I suspect that a Timpson transaction should be worth at least 10 points. I’ll tweet a picture of the little Timpson mascot chappie with his hammer and shoe when I get that done.
In other news, I haven’t eaten anything yet.
That’s right, I’m going BIG today. First day. I want those 50 points! Quite simply, all I need to do is pay for breakfast, lunch and dinner via contactless and those 50 smackers are mine.
(Side note: I think it’s possible to repeat the transactions. So at the risk of adding a few more Kg, I could theoretically repeat this for the next 10 days. That’d boost the points wouldn’t it?)
I’m also going to see if I can pick up some contactless flowers. Although I’m due in Richmond most of the day so I am going to be at the mercy of the flower retailers — will any of them have contactless capability? I’ll find out.
What else… well, I really would welcome your suggestions. If you’ve come across contactless at a retailer in London or at a chain retailer like Timpson, please could you let me know? I’m aware of the biggies like McDonalds and Pret a Manager (that’s the lunch target today) but I didn’t know about Timpson. Please do tweet me or stick a note below. (I’m @ew4n on Twitter).
Right those are some excellent suggestions Raymond.
However, that site lists Krispy Kreme as having contactless capability. They don’t! I went there on Friday night and found a standard dumb PIN terminal!
True. KK removed contactless earlier this year when it changed acquirer. But that aside, plenty of other choices. Some good ones in Richmond as well
Ahh so Barclaycard haven’t been quick about updating their database then… Right bring it on Richmond.
Waitrose have gone contactless (at least at Canary Wharf and Stratford City)
Right – the Burrito place is Benito’s Hat and there are 4 of them in Lndon. http://www.benitos-hat.com/find_us.html
Apparently they’ve also got contactless at their store in Bracknell nearby Maethorechannen so I’m going to see if I can try’em out. Maybe they’ve got contactless in Richmond?
Right I’m going to try and do that!
Looks like Waitrose is rolling (or possibly even has rolled by now) it out to all stores this year – http://www.retail-week.com/waitrose-to-introduce-contactless-payments/5032703.article
I’ll go there for lunch then I reckon.