One of the best places to get pet supplies is PetSmart.
What happens if you find yourself needing to stop at PetSmart, but don’t have your credit card or debit card?
However, does PetSmart even take Apple Pay?
We will cover everything you need to know about using Apple Pay at PetSmart.
Does PetSmart Take Apple Pay?
Yes, PetSmart takes Apple Pay in-store at all of its store locations.
The registers at PetSmart even have the Apple Pay logo on them to reassure you of the POS system’s capabilities.
PetSmart just recently started accepting Apple Pay at their stores in an effort to improve processes for customers.
You can also pay at PetSmart stores in the following additional ways:
- Cash
- Visa cards
- MasterCard cards
- American Express
- Other mobile wallets (Google Pay or Samsung Pay)
- Venmo
- CashApp
Essentially, you can pay using most cards and apps in-store.
Paying For Items On PetSmart Online
You can pay online using Visa cards, MasterCards, and American Express cards.
PetSmart does not accept Apple Pay through its website or mobile app.
Do not expect to use your Apple Wallet to make a payment through PetSmart.com.
However, you may not necessarily need the option to pay using Apple Pay online or through the app.
The benefits of using Apple Pay in stores are more poignant than when purchasing items online.
Yes, it can be easier to pay for items with the mobile wallet already installed on your phone, but most phones allow you to store cards in other ways.
You won’t hold anybody up if you do need to grab your card or make the purchase a little later (just don’t forget to finalize your purchase!)
Is There An Additional Charge For Paying Using Apple Pay?
There is absolutely no additional charge for the ability to use Apple Pay, either through your financial institution, Apple, or the store you use it at.
You will only be charged the total amount of your items and any applicable taxes.
What Is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is an Apple-brand mobile wallet.
A mobile wallet refers to an app in your smartphone that stores your credit card data for you to use through the app on your phone.
There are a lot of other mobile wallets out there.
Two of the most popular alternatives to Apple Pay are Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
They all work using NFC (near field communication) technology which allows the mobile wallet to communicate with POS systems in stores that are equipped with the same NFC technology.
Mobile wallets have drastically grown in popularity lately, especially after the recent pandemic.
Benefits Of Paying Using A Mobile Wallet
Mobile wallets like Apple Pay are on the rise.
Why is that?
Here are just some of the benefits of paying using a mobile wallet in-store.
1. Safe
Probably the greatest advantage to using Apple Pay is that the merchant doesn’t receive your credit card information.
When you make an NFC payment, the information is encrypted.
Even if the merchant ends up hacked, the hacker won’t be able to access your credit card data.
2. Sanitary
In many situations, you won’t need to use the credit card terminal at all, eliminating the transfer of germs as people touch the number pad and electronic pen.
Keep in mind that not all systems are contactless.
Some systems may require additional information, such as a PIN or signature.
3. Quick
How many cards do you have in your wallet right now?
Many of us have a variety of debit cards, credit cards, loyalty cards, and gift cards.
When you arrive at the counter at PetSmart, you may find yourself digging through your wallet to find the appropriate card while people behind you wait impatiently.
With Apple Pay, you can access the card you want in seconds in one app, saving time for you and everyone else behind you in line.
4. Convenient
Have you ever arrived at a store only to find out that you left your wallet or your card at home?
If this happens to you, you will need to leave the store, drive home, and sheepishly return with the card in hand.
Since you need to buy items at PetSmart for your furred, finned, or feathered family member, you can’t simply leave the purchase for another day without serious guilt.
You’ll have to go back and make your purchase when you retrieve your card.
Since PetSmart takes Apple Pay, you never have to worry about this problem.
Instead, you’ll be able to use the card stored in your mobile wallet (assuming you have it set up).
Setting Up Apple Pay
To receive the benefits of Apple Pay, you need to set up Apple Pay in advance.
Almost all smartphones have a mobile wallet preloaded on the phone when you first get it.
Apple Wallet is the mobile wallet provided with Apple smartphones.
If you have an Android phone, you will have the ability to choose between Google Pay or Samsung Pay (if you have a Samsung phone).
However, just because the app is preloaded on your phone, doesn’t mean it’s ready for you to use until you set things up.
Follow these simple steps to set up Apple Pay on your own phone:
1. Open Apple Wallet App
Start by opening your Apple Wallet app on your Apple smartphone.
You will need to use verification to open the app, such as your fingerprint or a pin code.
The verification method will mimic the method you already use to open your phone regularly.
Once you open the app, the main screen will appear.
At this point, you won’t have any cards added to the wallet, yet.
2. Press + Button
A prominent “+” button will appear on the main screen.
This “+” button allows you to add a card to your mobile wallet.
Once you have your card, hit “+” to enter the card details.
3. Enter CC Information
Once you hit the “+” button, you will have the choice to add a debit card or a credit card.
Choose the appropriate option and select “Continue.”
At this point, your camera will automatically activate to allow you to take a picture of the card in question.
Center the card inside the square on your screen and take a picture for the app to automatically collect the information.
While taking the picture, you should make a point to keep the phone as steady as possible and place the card against a solid background.
If you don’t like the idea of taking a picture of your card information, you can also enter your card details manually.
If you choose to enter your card details manually, you should take the time to double-check the information before you enter it into your mobile wallet.
4. Verify With Bank
Once you enter your information, you may need to verify your request to add the credit card to your mobile wallet with your financial institution.
Different banks and credit card companies require different verification.
Some of the different methods of verification include:
- Logging into the bank’s app on your phone
- Entering a code sent to your phone or email
You should receive a verification once your financial institution approves the request to add the card.
If you get an error message at any point during this process, talk to your bank to learn what you can do to finalize the process.
5. Add Card To Apple Watch
You can use Apple Pay through your Apple Watch, adding to consumer convenience.
However, you will need to add our card to your Apple Watch separately.
Adding your card to your Apple Wallet app in your smartphone does not automatically set up your Apple Wallet in your Apple Watch.
You will add your card in a very similar way to how you added it to your Apple Wallet app.
6. Make A Purchase With Apple Pay
Finally, you should go to a store that you know accepts Apple Pay, such as PetSmart, and use your new mobile wallet to ensure that it works.
Since it’s the first time using it, it’s a good idea to bring your card or some cash with you just in case something goes wrong.
Alternative Mobile Wallets
Apply Pay is the mobile wallet for Apple devices.
However, not all of us prefer iPhones over Android or Windows phones.
Luckily, there are numerous options for people who don’t have Apple products.
The two most popular options outside of Apple Pay are Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
I have both options on my Samsung phone.
If a POS system accepts Apple Pay, they will accept the other mobile wallets, too, since they all run on the NFC technology we referenced earlier.
Most mobile wallets are the same. However, there are slight differences that can make one more preferable to you than another.
If for some reason, you want to use a different mobile wallet than Apple Pay, you can download Google Pay through the Apple App Store.
Keep in mind that if you add a card to one mobile wallet, it does not mean that the card is added to all of your mobile wallets.
Benefits Of Shopping At PetSmart
PetSmart was founded in 1986, and it is now one of the leading retailers for pet supplies in the country.
What has made PetSmart so successful?
Here are some of the reasons that you should shop at PetSmart.
1. Numerous Locations
PetSmart has more than 6,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
If you live in a popular metropolitan area, you most likely have a PetSmart near you.
Even more remote places likely have a store they can visit.
Since there are so many locations, you may even have a store near your home, near your vet, and near your work, giving you options when you need to make a stop.
2. Knowledgeable Staff
If you are a new animal owner, you may have questions about how to best care for your new animal.
Staff at PetSmart can answer questions about everything from potty training to nutrition and how to care for dogs when they act out.
If you have a lot of questions, an associate may be able to point you in the direction of one of the best books on the topic in the store.
Always read up on training and care before you adopt your animal!
3. Love For Animals
The thing that really sets PetSmart apart from the competition is that you can tell just how much they care for animals.
The organization’s palpable love for animals starts with its policies.
They allow pets to enter the store, and they only sell products that are reasonably safe for your pets (when used as directed and assuming no special health concerns).
If you do decide to bring your dog into the store, which can be quite the treat, it’s important to remember that you must keep your dog under control and on a leash.
If your dog happens to get out of control or damage any items in the store, you will be responsible.
It’s best not to bring aggressive dogs into the store or let children control the animals.
Even more, PetSmart goes out of its way to place homeless animals into happy homes through PetSmart Charities.
They also host Adoption Days.
Talk to your local PetSmart associate to learn how you can get involved or adopt an animal into your home.
4. Grooming Services
Your dog deserves to look and feel its best.
They can’t necessarily trim their nails and hair by themselves, and you may not have the beautician skills to do the job as well as you’d like, so it’s important to get them professional grooming services.
PetSmart offers grooming services.
If you time it right, you can have your dog groomed by the time you complete your purchases.
5. PetsHotel
Some animals don’t like to travel.
You can rely on a neighbor or a stranger from an app to care for your animal, but that may not be the best solution.
Instead, consider bringing your animal to PetSmart’s PetsHotel for the duration of your vacation.
Professionals will take care of your animal for you, ensuring that they get exercise and food regularly.
The prices are usually cheaper than most kennels, and you know that the people caring for your animals know what to do in the case of an emergency.
You can check PetSmart’s website to see if this service is available in your area.
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