But angry retailers thought to be considering further protests
PAYMENT services firm PayPoint says it plans to overhaul many aspects of its service to retailers following major criticism of its lowering the maximum amounts it pays to retailers for handling bill payment and other services.
But the changes, scheduled to begin now with a switch to a freephone telephone number for the call centre dealing with retailer enquiries, look unlikely to include a review of commission rates and caps.
The company continues to argue that providing PayPoint services is good for retailers because it drives footfall and other purchases. But that argument is rejected by some retailers who say that the combined effects of PayPoint charges, bank charges and staff costs mean they offer PayPoint at a direct loss and that many PayPoint users would use their stores anyway and often make few further purchases.
Some of the angriest retailers, in contact with each other through social media, are thought to be considering mounting ‘switch-off’ protests this month. But some others argue that such activity opens retailers up to contractual action and penalties and will achieve little.
PayPoint said the freephone number “should make a big difference”.
Chief executive Dominic Taylor said: “We have been keen to engage and have listened very carefully to our retailers and are determined to ensure that we communicate better and operate in a supportive way to front line retail requirements.
“This… is the first of a number of new initiatives which we have in the pipeline to address directly the concerns and opportunities raised by retailers.”
