Sticker Contactless Payment Misses The Point
Written by Evan Schuman and Fred J. AunApril 1st, 2009
When Blaze Mobile and others started pushing an RFID sticker as their own contactless payment form factor, it was a media-friendly way of presenting an idea that misses the point of why contactless payment is struggling. Contactless payment has been besieged by challenges, ranging from half-hearted marketing efforts by some of the key financial players, early reports of faulty equipment and serious issues involving contactless security and the perceived lack of any security.
But the key issue has consistently been much simpler. Unlike other forms of consumer-issued RFID devices—such as EZPass and even the keyless entry systems of some newer cars—typical contactless payment methods have not given consumers any real reason to use them. With no significant convenience or cost-savings issue, one need not look too far to figure out why contactless is struggling in many sectors.
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Our Comment SPAM system is getting very aggressive these days and has been blocking legitimate comments. If you post a comment and don't see it appear within 2 hours or so, can you please send a heads-up to customer-service@storefrontbacktalk.com? Ideally, please include the time you posted the comment. That will allow us to try and hunt for it. Thanks! P.S. We're working on fixing the system, but we don't want to lose any valuable comments in the meantime.
I have strong reservations about the 'individual' certification and posting of that information for merchants. Can you imagine the potential employee poaching that might occur? The implications when competitors can look up how many are certified with each of their competitors? 
-Christine
