Well to be fair to Q (OMG what is happening to me???) I think there are quite a few retailers who do not accept Amex cards because of its charges. Years ago this was an occasional problem on business trips when we all had corporate Amex cards and had to put some stuff on our personal credit cards. Of course, that does not for one moment mean that they handled this chap's case correctly!
You are right, Mazza. Some places don't accept Amex due to them charging the retailer 3% to get their money, rather than the 2% VISA etc charge. Those that refuse Amex are mainly small companies, operating on tight margins, so I completely understand. I think larger companies are silly to refuse Amex, though. By way of example, as I was saying in my rambling last post, QVC have lost £600 of sales to me in a short time because they won't take my Amex. It would have cost them an extra £6 to get my money on Amex (fees of £18 instead of £12 from VISA, say). Because of the stance I've taken (also my stubbornness and meanness if I'm honest), they've lost the profit on the £600 I didn't spend with them .... and knowing QVC, that would be about £300! It's shortsighted. Of course, they say it's the system's fault (apparently the board decided to take this wonderful new system despite it not working with Amex cards). They are either really that daft or they are doing it thinking it will save them a bit of money and gambling that people will still buy but use a different card. Not me! They can s0d off.
Oh heck, it's started me off again now!