Hobby Lobby is one of America’s top arts and crafts store chains. Party decorations and fabric, home decor, and do-it-yourself materials, millions of crafty consumers visit them each year. Contactless payment now being a reality, most consumers have only one question in mind: does Hobby Lobby accept Apple Pay?
Here in this complete guide, you will discover whether Hobby Lobby accepts Apple Pay online and in-store, what it actually accepts as payment, how you can pay using Apple Pay at similar stores, and what are you left with if you don’t use Apple Pay when shopping at Hobby Lobby. The aim is to save you time standing in a queue and to make an informed decision about the most convenient and safest payment option for your craft supplies.
You will be aware by the end of this if Hobby Lobby takes Apple Pay and what forms of payment are offered which you can use.
Knowing Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a digital wallet product built by Apple from which you can pay using your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac. Apple Pay replaces your normal cards with the assistance of maintaining your debit or credit card details securely in your device. Apple Pay never sends your true card numbers to the shop while paying, so your payment gets personalized and secure.
You can pay with Apple Pay in physical stores, online, and apps where you spot the Apple Pay mark. It employs contactless NFC technology. So you can simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on a payment reader.
It is convenient, secure, and fast. That is the reason why most big-box retailers globally have been accepting it. But not all stores accept it, and that is where Hobby Lobby’s issue comes into the picture.
Does Hobby Lobby Take Apple Pay?
The short and simple answer is no. It doesn’t accept Apple Pay in stores or online.
Although Apple Pay is a very secure digital form of payment. Hobby Lobby has not adopted it as one of its forms of payment. The company employs the use of traditional forms of payments and has not incorporated contactless or mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
What that will accomplish is every time you go to the Hobby Lobby store to make a purchase, you will be forced to use alternative forms of payment such as debit cards, credit cards, gift cards, or cash.
Why Does Hobby Lobby Not Accept Apple Pay?
Hobby Lobby has never officially said why they are unable to use Apple Pay, but there are a couple of good reasons why.
Payment System Infrastructure
Hobby Lobby is using an old payment system which, so far, might not be compliant with NFC technology. New systems in its numerous stores cost money and time.
Traditional Payment Habits
Its business model revolves around simplicity and traditional customer experiences. Clients prefer payments made by cards or cash. Which could reduce the motivation to use digital wallets.
Processing Fees and Control
Other retailers prefer making their payments internally to escape extra transaction fees or dependence on third-party services like Apple Pay.
Gradual Transformation
Similar to other retail stores, Hobby Lobby can embrace Apple Pay in the future when it upgrades infrastructure and receives heightened demand for it.
Payment Options Accepted at Hobby Lobby
Although Apple Pay is not accepted at Hobby Lobby, there are some easy in-store and online payment methods. The following are what they can accept:
In-Store Payment Methods
Cash
Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
Hobby Lobby gift cards
Online Payment Methods (HobbyLobby.com)
Debit or credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
Hobby Lobby gift cards
PayPal
If you pay online, PayPal is a convenient way to make an online payment. Like Apple Pay, it protects your credit card number and allows you to pay securely using your account.
How to Pay at Hobby Lobby Using Other Options
If you do have Apple Pay, you may be a bit upset that Hobby Lobby does not accept it. Don’t worry though, because it’s not difficult to shop with these easy options:
- Pay with a Debit or Credit Card
Simply insert or swipe your card at the cash register. Most Hobby Lobby stores now have chip readers for extra security. - Pay with Cash
All Hobby Lobby stores accept cash. Easy and quick if you prefer old-fashioned money. - Pay With Hobby Lobby Gift Cards
You may purchase or be gifted Hobby Lobby gift cards and use them to pay for in-store and online shopping. - Pay With PayPal for Online Shopping
If one must shop on the Hobby Lobby website, the second best to Apple Pay is PayPal. It not only stores your card information encrypted but also offers buyer protection.
Can You Use Apple Pay Indirectly at Hobby Lobby?
While you cannot use Apple Pay at Hobby Lobby directly, there are some clever techniques to use your Apple Pay balance indirectly:
Buy Hobby Lobby Gift Cards that were purchased with Apple Pay
Buy an Apple Pay-enabled gift card at Hobby Lobby online from an Apple Pay store or website, such as Target or Raise. Pay at Hobby Lobby with the gift card later.
Utilize PayPal Linked with Apple Pay
If your Apple Pay is connected to PayPal, then you can pay on the Hobby Lobby website using PayPal.
Use Apple Card
If you do happen to have an Apple Card (which as it turns out is paired with Apple Pay), then technically you can use the very real physical Apple Card itself as a standard Mastercard to pay at Hobby Lobby.
Where these loopholes are a little less convenient than being able to use Apple Pay itself, they at least permit you to still reap the benefits of Apple’s secure payment system.
Similar Stores to Hobby Lobby That Take Apple Pay
If you’re accustomed to paying with Apple Pay at your shopping spree, you might as well proceed and pay in other art and craft stores that accept it as well. A majority of its competitors and rivals already have Apple Pay as an accepted method of payment.
Some of them are:
Michaels – Retail as well as online payments through Apple Pay are accepted.
Joann Fabrics – Apple Pay is accepted in most of their stores.
Target – Apple Pay online and in-store.
Walmart (through Walmart Pay) – Isn’t an Apple Pay store but does include a wallet app.
HomeGoods and TJ Maxx – Permits Apple Pay in most of their stores.
Shopping with them gives you the same creative home solution decor and merchandise using your chosen method of payment.
The Benefits of Using Apple Pay in Retail Stores
Although Hobby Lobby is not an Apple Pay acceptor, the preference of its customers is due to its advantages.
Security
Apple Pay uses the tokenization method. So your true card number is never exchanged with the store. Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode authenticates all purchases.
Speed
Contactless payment in an instant. You just tap your iPhone or Apple Watch and you’re good to go.
Convenience
You don’t need to carry a wallet or a stack of cards in your pocket. It’s all stored safely in your phone.
Privacy
Apple doesn’t store transaction history that can lead back to you, so you’re more private than with other payments.
Rewards and Cashback
If you have an Apple Card, you can earn cashback daily when you pay with Apple Pay at participating merchants.
These are just a few of the reasons why Apple Pay is one of the safest and most convenient payment systems retail has to offer.
Will Hobby Lobby Accept Apple Pay in the Future?
There is a possibility that they might soon accept Apple Pay as a means of payment. Mobile wallets are increasingly popular and shoppers more often make purchases for contactless payments. Most major retailers are developing infrastructure to handle them.
Hobby Lobby is expanding and improving its online shopping, and as technology gets better, taking Apple Pay could be part of future plans. But until the company itself releases the update, consumers will simply have to utilize other methods of available payment.
How to Know if a Store Accepts Apple Pay
If you are unsure if a store accepts or does not accept Apple Pay. Then you can simply verify in two ways.
Scan for Apple Pay Logo
At the time of checkout, scan for the contactless payment or Apple Pay logo beside the payment terminal.
Use Apple Maps
Locate the store using Apple Maps. If the store is compatible with Apple Pay, you can locate the Apple Pay logo in the “Useful to Know” link.
This will make you familiar with the Apple Pay stores before you visit the stores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Hobby Lobby take Apple Pay in their stores?
No. Hobby Lobby doesn’t take Apple Pay in any of the store locations.
Does Hobby Lobby take Apple Pay online?
No. Hobby Lobby’s internet store also doesn’t take Apple Pay.
Can I use an Apple Card to pay at Hobby Lobby?
Yes. You can use the actual Apple Card just like any other regular Mastercard to make purchases in-store.
Does Google Pay or Samsung Pay work at Hobby Lobby?
No. Hobby Lobby does not currently accept mobile wallet payments such as Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Will Hobby Lobby accept Apple Pay in the near future?
There is no word. But since digital payments are more and more being utilized, Hobby Lobby can include it in the future.
So does Hobby Lobby take Apple Pay? No, not at least. The store still takes the old-fashioned ways of paying like cash, credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal online. Not as convenient for the Apple Pay consumer, you can still shop easily with those.
For Apple Pay fans who enjoy carrying their mobile pay, the most roundabout way to make a payment with Apple Pay is to buy Hobby Lobby gift cards at stores that happen to take Apple Pay. Or, if you prefer a digital wallet, shop at PayPal websites.
Although Hobby Lobby is not yet supporting Apple Pay, with contactless payments becoming more popular by the day, there are excellent possibilities that Hobby Lobby will include Apple Pay support soon.