85% of stores now use Apple Pay for its convenience and security. The Hobby Lobby store is big, and one will wonder whether Hobby Lobby takes Apple Pay. Does Hobby Lobby take Apple Pay in-store? What kind of payment methods does Hobby Lobby accept?
In this article, we will look at whether Hobby Lobby takes Apple Pay in-store and the kind of payment acceptable at Hobby Lobby.
About Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby is a popular retail chain in the United States specializing in arts and crafts supplies, home decor, and various hobby-related products. The company was founded in 1972 by David Green and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Hobby Lobby operates over 900 stores across the United States, offering various products, including fabrics, yarn, scrapbooking supplies, beads, paints, home accents, floral arrangements, and seasonal decorations. The stores are known for their extensive selection of craft materials and often carry items related to various hobbies and DIY projects.
In addition to arts and crafts supplies, Hobby Lobby is known for its strong stance on religious beliefs. The company operates based on Christian principles and is closed on Sundays to allow employees to observe a day of rest and worship.
Does Hobby Lobby Take Apple Pay In Store?
No, Hobby Lobby does not take Apple Pay in store. For some time now, Hobby Lobby hasn’t updated its checkout technology in some time. As such, they only take traditional forms of payment like checks, cash, and major credit and debit cards. However, here are some stores that accept Apple Pay.
In addition to in-store, you cannot use Apple Pay online on the Hobby Lobby website. However, there is a way you use Apply Pay on Hobby Lobby, even though it does not accept it. The trick here is to use Zip via your Apple Pay account to purchase at Hobby Lobby.
How To Use Zip To Pay Online at Hobby Lobby
To use Zip, you must have an Apple Pay account. Zip generates a one-time-use Visa debit card that you use to purchase your Apple Pay account. Here are the steps to follow to make payment online using Zip through Apple Pay.
- Make an Account on Zip: First, download the Zip app and create an account by entering the requested information.
- Add Card: Next is to add a card to your account and generate a debit card. Go to the tab titled “Cards” on the app and click on it. Then select the “Get a Card” option.
- Read and Accept Terms: Read the terms carefully and click the accept button.
- Add Zip To Apple Pay: A list of stores and payment methods will be displayed after your Zip account is ready. Then, choose “Apple Pay” to link your Zip account to the Apple Pay service.
- Shop On Hobby Lobby: After linking your zip account to Apple Pay, you can shop online at Hobby Lobby. Simply go to the Hobby Lobby website or app and shop. Once you select what you want to buy, tap the “Cart” option to check out.
- Tab On Zip: The payment option will be displayed on the checkout page, and you can pay using Zip. Since your Zip account is linked to Apple Pay, you can use your Apple Pay to make the payment.
Can You Use Zip via Your Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby In-store?
You can use Zip to purchase at Hobby Lobby in-store using your Apple Pay. However, to make payment via Zip, the store must have a reader. If the store lacks a reader, it can’t work.
Here are the steps to make purchases at Hobby Lobby in-store using Zip.
- Create an account: The first step is to download the app, create an account, and link it to Apple Pay. Also, by going to the app and checking, you must verify that your Zip account is linked to Apple Pay.
- Go To The “In-Store” On Zip: Go to the “in-store” tab on the Zip app. On clicking it, stores that accept Zip will be displayed. Scroll down till you see Hobby Lobby and choose it.
- Shop: Once you have set up your app, you can go to Hobby Lobby and make your purchase. After selecting what to buy, go to the cashier and hold your phone close to the reader. The reader will recognize your Zip card and transfer the funds.
Zip allows you to make payments at Hobby Lobby in-store via Apple Pay through the store’s readers.
How Much Does It Cost To Use Zip?
It does not cause much to use Zip because it generates a one-time debit card through Visa. Zip charges a fixed fee of $1 every time you carry out, and the fee does not change.
Why Doesn’t Hobby Lobby Take Apple Pay?
Even though digital wallets are becoming more popular as a mode of payment, it’s a wonder why Hobby Lobby does not accept Apple Pay.
Here are some reasons why Hobby Lobby does not accept Apple Pay.
1. Expensive Upgrade
One of the significant reasons why Hobby Lobby doesn’t take Apple Pay is because they haven’t upgraded the checkout points. Apple Pay uses special equipment to connect your phone’s cloud to get funds from your digital wallet. So to be able to use Apple Pay in-store, you must get that equipment, and the equipment can be expensive. Depending on how many checkout points they have, not every store has the budget to support these upgrades.
2. It Uses PayPal
Another reason why Hobby Lobby doesn’t accept Apple Pay is that it already accepts PayPal as a mode of payment. However, you can use PayPal at Hobby Lobby in-store. You can only use a PayPal Cash Card to purchase at Hobby Lobby at their online stores.
Although PayPal is a payment option in the Hobby Lobby web store, Hobby Lobby hasn’t partnered with PayPal because they are yet to accept all the services offered by PayPal.
PayPal is a competitor to Apple Pay, so Hobby Lobby might, out of its loyalty to PayPal on its online store, not accept Apple Pay.
3. Extra Training
Last but not least, one of the reasons why Hobby Lobby hasn’t begun using Apple Pay is because of the extra training it needs to give its cashiers, which costs a lot of money.
Apple Pay is a contactless payment, which is a different payment method, and the cashiers need to understand how to help customers who are new to digital wallets to be able to access and use them appropriately.
Additionally, the cashiers will be trained to help customers who encounter slight issues with the payment method. So the training for this will require money and time. Maybe Hobby Lobby doesn’t have enough money to carry out the training and enough manpower to cover up for the cashiers during the training period.
How Does Apple Pay Work
Apple Pay is a digital wallet service that allows users to purchase in physical stores, within apps, and on websites using compatible Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.
Here’s a general overview of how Apple Pay works:
- Setting up Apple Pay: To use Apple Pay, you need to set it up on your compatible Apple device. Go to the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad or the Apple Watch app on your Apple Watch, and follow the instructions to add your credit or debit cards to Apple Pay. You can also add cards by going to the Settings app on your device.
- Making in-store purchases: When you’re ready to purchase at a physical store that accepts Apple Pay, look for the contactless payment symbol or the Apple Pay logo at the payment terminal.
- Making in-app and online purchases: Apple Pay is also available for purchases within supported apps and websites. When you’re ready to check out, look for the “Apple Pay” button or the Apple Pay option in the payment section. Here’s how to complete the transaction:
- Security and privacy: Apple Pay uses several security measures to protect your payment information. Instead of storing your card numbers on the device or Apple servers, Apple Pay assigns a unique device account number. When you pay, the device account number and a dynamic security code authorize the transaction. This means your card details are not shared with merchants, reducing the risk of your information being compromised.
Benefits of Apple Pay
Apple Pay offers several benefits to users. Here are some of the critical advantages of using Apple Pay:
- Convenience: Apple Pay provides a quick and convenient way to make payments. You can complete transactions without carrying physical cards or cash with just a few taps or a simple gesture on your compatible Apple device. It eliminates the need to dig through your wallet or purse to find the right card and speeds up checkout.
- Security: Apple Pay prioritizes security and privacy. When you add your credit or debit cards to Apple Pay, the card numbers are not stored on the device or Apple servers. Instead, a unique device account number is assigned and encrypted on the device’s secure element. This means your payment information is not shared with merchants, reducing the risk of exposure in case of a data breach. Additionally, Apple Pay uses biometric authentication methods like Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only authorized users can initiate transactions.
- Loyalty Programs and Rewards: Apple Pay integrates with various loyalty programs, allowing you to earn and redeem rewards directly through the Wallet app. You can store and access your loyalty cards, coupons, and boarding passes in one place, simplifying managing and using these benefits.
Conclusion
Apple Pay is accepted by many retailers, both online and in physical stores. Many popular brands, restaurants, grocery stores, and small businesses support Apple Pay as a payment option. As such, there is a possibility that Hobby Lobby might begin accepting Apple Pay later in the future. Keep in touch with the Hobby Lobby website for the latest information on its payment method.
