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Cash-oriented consumers are getting another option to shop online with the debut of Paysafe Group’s Paysafecash. And Apple Inc. recently tested an order-ahead feature for Apple Pay, according to a news report.
London-based Paysafe , which Monday closed it deal to buy U.S. merchant acquirer iPayment, says Paysafecash is already live in 14 countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, and is coming to 32 more, including the United States, by year’s end. The company says it is aiming the product at the millions consumers who prefer using cash, especially for data-security reasons, and those who won’t have bank accounts.
Upon its U.S. arrival, Paysafe’s new offering will compete with Handle Financial Inc.’s PayNearMe service, which has 27,000 acceptance locations, including 7-Eleven and Family Dollar stores. Paysafe calls its product the first online cash solution that enables funds to be uploaded into digital wallets, including Paysafe’s Skrill and Neteller.
Like PayNearMe, Paysafecash cash combines online shopping with payment in a physical store. While online, users select the Paysafecash option at checkout in order to obtain a Quick Response code that can be printed out or sent to a mobile phone, according to a Paysafe news release.
Then, the shopper goes to a so-called payment point to have the code scanned by a clerk, and pay with cash. The store then submits the transaction for processing. The release did not disclose the number of payment points, but a Paysafe video shows that in Europe payment points include Shell and Esso gas stations, 7-Eleven, and others. A spokesperson was unavailable to provide further details.
Also on Monday, Paysafe unveiled a new logo and launched its “Plug into Paysafe” global brand campaign.
Meanwhile, Apple, which is holding its annual developer conference this week, tested an order-ahead feature for the Apple Pay mobile-payment service at the recent BottleRock music festival near San Francisco, according to TechCrunch.com. For the event, the Apple Pay app was integrated into BottleRock’s mobile app, enabling users to make their drink selections through the festival app and pay with Apple Pay, then find the stand were their drinks were waiting and present an order number in order to claim them.
