Does HEB Take Google Pay? Learn the Answer!
No, HEB doesn’t take Google Pay. It’s a shame since contactless payment methods are convenient, cleaner, and it’s what shoppers want.
HEB prides itself on putting shoppers first so refusing to use Google Pay is a perplexing move. It’s the one payment option that would actually change a shopper’s traditional in-store checkout experience. Judging by the amount of discussion about this online, it’s clearly something shoppers want and we’re hopeful that HEB changes its tune in the near future.
Do HEB’s Card Machines Support Contactless Payment?
Interestingly, HEB’s card machines are already set up to take contactless payment methods such as Google Pay. They just haven’t enabled it yet! Crazy, right?
You can see this for yourself the next time you’re checking out by looking for the ‘NFC’ logo. NFC stands for ‘Near Field Communication’ and it’s what powers the Google Pay magic. Who doesn’t like paying with their Android smartphone or watch without ever putting their credit card into a dirty card machine?
Why Won’t HEB Enable Google Pay On Their Card Machines?
You might be wondering why HEB hasn’t enabled Google Pay since their card machines already support it. We wonder too. Perhaps they think it would compete with their new HEB Go app that’s available in a few locations. Or maybe they think that offering HEB Curbside Pickup and Home Delivery means that they don’t need to bother with Google Pay.
Those can’t be the real answers though. Perhaps it’s fees? Probably not since Google Pay doesn’t charge merchants. If it’s not fees, then why is HEB stuck in the past when it comes to contactless payment? Perhaps they would have to pay a licensing fee to their payment processor?
In the end, we think it’s just a matter of inertia. It’s easier for a company to do nothing than it is to make a change. Even if that change is a customer-friendly move that HEB’s customers clearly want. We’re hopeful that HEB will start listening to their customers, do the right thing, and join millions of other merchants who already accept Google Pay and have done so for years. It’s the wave of the future and it’s putting the customer first. The way HEB should be.
But Isn’t Google Pay Just Hype?
If you haven’t used Google Pay before, you might not understand why it’s so popular. We didn’t understand it either but once we set it up, we’ll never go back. Being able to pay by just tapping your Google Watch or iPhone is a leap forward from digging in your wallet or purse.
HEB’s Other Contactless Grocery Shopping Options
To be fair to HEB they do have other contactless grocery shopping options. These options let you either avoid going into the store or avoid going through a regular checkout line.
You can use HEB Curbside Pickup but that’s only fee free if you’re fine with picking up your groceries a few days later. Not to mention that they already markup up your items by up to 3% when you use curbside.
They also have HEB Home Delivery but that’s not free at all and the prices are also marked up.
Then there’s HEB Go, which is a new app-based shopping experience that lets you skip the regular checkout line. That’s nice but it’s only available in some stores and you get to bag your own groceries. It’s time for HEB to do the one thing that would make their Google Pay customers happy – enable it!
Conclusion
In conclusion, HEB does not take Google Pay as a payment method.