Holy cow!! Most merchants are charged an effective rate anywhere between 1.6% and 4.0%--so this merchant is actually making a *profit* off accepting credit cards. That's so wrong. Merchants are under no obligation to accept credit cards for their business, but most do because they know that it is more convenient for customers and increases their sales (how many times have you walked out of a store b/c they don't take plastic and you don't have any cash--I know I have several times). Therefore, if a merchant does decide to accept plastic, they incur the expense that goes along with it. It is a strict violation of mc/visa operating regs to do a surcharge. HOWEVER, it should be noted that there are exceptions to this. Case in point: Federal Taxes can be paid with a MC (and Visa this year too) for a surcharge. They call it a 'convenience fee'. This was approved by the associations as an exception (mostly b/c all they saw was dollar signs from the interchange income). Also, merchants can offer a 'cash discount' for their products/services, but they can't tack on an add'l fee on top of their marked prices for plastic. This is very common. It's all in the wording.
quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Bill B The package store here in Ma has a $20.00 minum ANd the Bait/Gun store charges an extra 15% if you use Credit Cards.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15% mark-up. Dang! Get out your pen and paper and get that biz name, address and phone number. I swear I must have awoke on the wrong side of the bed this week because I'm on a natural rampage about this!
I wish I knew about this when I bought my car. I saw a great deal on a Chrysler at the local Mercury dealer on a Friday night. It was perfect shape, low mileage and a great price. I did not want to wait until Monday to get a CU loan, so I put it on my VISA, planning to pay off the VISA with a CU loan the next week. After we signed the papers, they told me there was a $250 charge for using the VISA to cover the fee VISA charges the dealership. The car eventually burned up and I collected on my insurance. Interestingly, when the fire marshall came out to investigate the fire, he saw that it was a Chrysler, and ended the investigation right there. He said they burn up all the time.
When you have a signed credit card all they have to do is MATCH the 2 signatures. If your card has SEE ID, ASK FOR LICENSE, CID, or is unsigned~~~YOU MUST SHOW ID.
I haven't been asked for ID in years... I put on one of my cards as a "SLAM" AGAINST "CID"... "I SIGNED THE CARD LIKE IT SAYS TO~~~DON'T ASK FOR ID"!!! Most cards say "VOID IF NOT SIGNED" CID~~~SEE ID~~~SEE LICENSE~~~NO SIGNATURE~~~ALL ARE NOT LEGAL SIGNATURE.
I have the # for MC 1-800-300-3069 For Visa you can either call 1-800-VISA911 or dispute thru the credit card company and they contact visa directly. About the showing of ID The merchant can ask for ID, that is just fraud prevention, its a violation when the merchant has you show excessive forms of ID. (Usually more than one)
The merchant can ask for ID, that is just fraud prevention, its a violation when the merchant has you show excessive forms of ID. (Usually more than one) *************************************************************** NOT when the card is SIGNED with your name.
I don't report them when they ask for ID. Obviously, they are trying to prevent fraud, and I would rather do that than have the store stop accepting cards. A friend who works at the Walmart near my house said they have terrible problems with CC fraud. When they catch someone they call the Target and other stores in the same area to warn them, LOL. I just used a card in the Big Lots (looking for goodies), and they checked ID. OK by me, although I do hate the picture on my DL.
To expedite purchasing, mechants are not expected to take the time to obtain identification from customers who pay by credit card. Merchants are not required to obtain phone numbers or other personal information from customers because, if they correctly process their bank card transactions (i.e. obtain an authorization number and make sure signatures match), they are guaranteed to receive payment. If there is a problem with a transaction--such as a cardholder exceeding his credit limit--the card-issuing bank absorbs the cost. The merchant gets paid anyway, so there is no need for him to contact the cardholder. YOUR NOT HARMING A STORE BY REFUSING TO PROVIDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS OR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER.
Re: UPDATE About 10 days ago I got a letter from Citibank VISA saying they'd received my complaint and had filed one of their own with VISA International. Today, I went into that same restaurant (wasn't planned; it's next door to Hobby Lobby and I needed last minute wedding decor stuff). Well, the sign that used to say: "No Checks Accepted $20 Minimum for Credit Cards" now has that last line covered up and only says: "No Checks Accepted" Well, you know I was pleased, but had to test it, so I ordered about $12 worth of take-out and paid by VISA. The cashier (one of the owners) smiled as she took my card and no longer gave me that frown she reserves for folk who've paid with CC under $20 before. Success! The system works. And I'll bet they pick up some extra business once others realize they don't have to have cash to pick up a couple of take-outs late at night.
Also, according to VISA(I went to a chargeback training seminar in Feb), they say that the merchants are not handwritting experts and that they are actually supposed to check the spelling of the signatures. I know that sometimes I may be in a hurry and my signature may look similar but not exactly the same. A merchant is protected as long as they follow M/C and VISA's procedures-which most of them do not know or care. I do find it very aggravating to show my I.D., if they have any concerns they should call VISA and/or M/C, especially if auth was obtained. It's been very interesting and educating working in the credit card industry.
Thank you all for the great info. I was getting TIRED of this "Minimum $10 Charge" Bull... Every single b.s. take out place has a minimum charge ranging from $10-40! Then there are a few liquor stores in my neighborhood that have a minimum charge. I mentioned it one time to the merhant at this liquor store and he just sat there and looked at me. What was irritating is not only did he have a minimum charge of $10, he also charged $1.00 per card transaction (credit & debit). Blew my mind but looks like I'm going to have to call and report it.
I reported a chinese takeout place with Amex and MC, but today when I went in they STILL said extra $1.00 charge for accepting credit cards. What gives?? I even got a letter from MC acknowledging my complaint. Should I call again?
DO NOT SIGN FOR THE $1.00 EXTRA FEE!!!!!! Tell them they made a mistake...it VIOLATES VISA/MC policy to tack on a $1.00 fee...so you need to re-write the credit card slip...or give me $1.00 CASH and I won't report you to VISA/MC as long as you promise to STOP ripping people off...
wow, I didnt realize this... there is a pizza place by my work that requires a $4 dollar minimum... which isnt all that unreasonable... but still in violation... what if I want to buy a $2 slice, and put it on my toy plat card!!! haha I can't! I should turn them in, bunch of jerks work there, stopped patronizing the place. Then again, sort of a waste of my time.
Even better! File ONLINE complaints! Amex: https://home4.americanexpress.com/c...ecure.asp?aexp_nav=ent_contactustoemail_merch MC: http://www.mastercard.com/cgi-bin/contactus.cgi?template=ContactUs I couldn't find one for Visa.
Radiohead, is it $4.00 minimum to use a charge card or $4.00 minimum order? Our pizza place across the street has an $8.00 minimum order...of course that's for delivery though...lol. Never mind...dum de dum duh... L <---off to bed for some much needed rest...lol.
