Macy's Credit Card Problems Hamstring NYC's Black Friday

NEW YORK, NY — A credit card processing problem created Black Friday headaches for shoppers at Macy's stores across New York City. The department store chain said credit card and gift card transactions are taking longer than usual across the country, leaving customers stewing in long lines.

Customers started reporting issues around noon on Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Some thought the credit card systems were down for good, but Macy's said they were just moving slower than usual.

"It is taking longer than usual to process some credit and gift cards in our stores, but we have added additional associates to the floor and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," the company said in a statement.

Macy's has 10 stores in New York City, including its famous Herald Square flagship location. Customers there complained on Twitter of having to wait in long lines with their arms full of merchandise they were ready to buy.

"It's #blackfriday I'm in @Macys, I have $300+ items in my hand," Sophie Mitchell tweetedtweeted from Manhattan. "They're only accepting cash or Macy's credit card... Let the riots begin."

Some angry customers threatened to walk out on the Black Friday deals because the frustration was too much.

"30 minutes plus waiting in line @Macys missing sales cause of the line!" @ShannonPacocha tweeted from Manhattan.

Friday started out as a banner day for Macy's, which had just run its 91st annual Thanksgiving Day Parade through Midtown amid tighter-than-ever security. The company's stock was up more than 2 percent Friday, indicating higher Black Friday sales, according to Reuters.

The credit card problems weren't the only source of frustration for visitors to Macy's famed 34th Street store. Some complained of long waits to see Santa Claus, despite a new reservation system aimed at decreasing wait times.

Cathy D'Amato said she waited for at least 90 minutes with her husband and her 2- and 4-year-old children. "Please get better- there are babies, disabled individuals, online [sic] for hrs," D'Amato wrote on Twitter.

30 minutes plus waiting in line @Macys missing sales cause of the line! #frustration #missedsales

— ShannonMarie (@ShannonPacocha) November 24, 2017

Watch: Shoppers Snap Up Deals On Black Friday

(Lead image: Shoppers at the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in 2015. Photo by Kena Betancur/Getty Images)