By JOHN STOWERS
NWOSU student employees of Walmart express excitement about the Alva location getting the “Tap to Pay” payment system.
Tap to Pay has been used, in some form or another, since 1997 when Mobil introduced their “Speedpass” payment system based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. The modern version of that system came out in 2002 and was based on NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology. NFC based contactless-payment systems didn’t become regularly used until roughly 2014. Since then, businesses have been hastily adopting some form or another of contactless pay except for, until recently, Walmart.
“I think it’s about time, and that we’re finally caught up with what the rest of the world is doing,” said Giulianna Philips, a freshman Elementary Education major. “I think it should’ve been done a couple of years ago when everyone else was doing it. Walmart was the one that was taking the longest. Even local businesses have Tap to Pay.”
The employees of the local Alva location said that their customers have been excited to see that Tap to Pay has been implemented at the grocery chain.
“I would say the feedback I’ve received so far has been pretty positive,” said Hannah Caywood, a sophomore Biology major. “A lot of people seemed excited that we got [Tap to Pay] and astonished to say the least. I, so far, haven’t had many issues with the Tap to Pay either. It’s been pretty positive feedback so far. It makes the transactions go by a lot quicker, and people seem a lot more pleased with that as well.”
Giulianna Philips Freshman, elem ed:
“I think it’s about time, and that we’re finally caught up with what the rest of the world is doing.”
“I think it should’ve been done a couple of years ago when everyone else was doing it.”
“Walmart was the one that was taking the longest. Even local businesses have Tap to Pay.”
“I definitely think it benefitted them a lot by having it. People seem to appreciate it.”
Julius Cardonita, Sr, elem ed:
“Before we got [Tap to Pay], I know the customers complained a lot.”
“I’ve only had two issues where the card just does not like Tap to Pay, but in terms of customer feedback; customers are very happy.”
Hannah Caywood, soph, bio:
“I would say the feedback I’ve received so far has been pretty positive. A lot of people seemed excited that we got [Tap to Pay] and astonished to say the least. I, so far, haven’t had many issues with the Tap to Pay either. It’s been pretty positive feedback so far. It makes the transactions go by a lot quicker, and people seem a lot more pleased with that as well.”