Can merchants legally state a miminum dollar amount...

[misle]

Originally posted by: Xstatic1
if i store has a cash-only policy, i'm okay with that (read that to mean i know to bring cash)...

Well, this store has a $10 minimun policy, so bring cash if you're just buying a couple things. :roll:

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: countryboy
It's not your store, so if the owner decides to not accept CC's for small purchases, then that is his choice.
There almost always an option to take your business elsewhere if you don't like that practice.

Conversely, I hate people who use CC's for $1-2 transactions frequently.

And if the business doesn't want to agree to the terms set forth by TOS they agreed to in their merchant agreement, they can not take credit cards at all and lose out on all those sales.

AStar has made a bunch of excellent posts in this thread about the merchant agreement; I suggest you and some of the other posters read them.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: countryboy
It's not your store, so if the owner decides to not accept CC's for small purchases, then that is his choice.
There almost always an option to take your business elsewhere if you don't like that practice.

Conversely, I hate people who use CC's for $1-2 transactions frequently.

Why is that? I can pay for something faster with my CC than with cash. With purchases under $10, most places don't even ask for a signature. They just swipe it and give it back to me. And FYI, my CC is a Visa check card, so my money is where it is supposed, in the bank. If this merchant can't abide by the TOS set forth by the CC company, then he shouldn't be allowed to take CCs at all.

 

[Alex]

not sure, but they pay such high fees its brutal and isn't really worth it for them under a certain $$ amount

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
How can it not be legal? They pay a fee to use the credit card system so you should respect that and not use a credit card for a miniscule purchase. I understand that it is hard for the younger generations to count and figure out using actual money but you should not punish a small business because of your desire for convenience. You have the choice to shop somewhere else if you don't like their rules so exersise that right and go elsewhere.

Since the fee is based off of a percentage of the purchase, won't the fee be miniscule if the purchase price is miniscule?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: Ronstang
How can it not be legal? They pay a fee to use the credit card system so you should respect that and not use a credit card for a miniscule purchase. I understand that it is hard for the younger generations to count and figure out using actual money but you should not punish a small business because of your desire for convenience. You have the choice to shop somewhere else if you don't like their rules so exersise that right and go elsewhere.

Since the fee is based off of a percentage of the purchase, won't the fee be miniscule if the purchase price is miniscule?

There's a base fee + percentage.

 

[xrax]

I wonder if these mom and pop stores have a special agreement with the CC companies for minimum purchases. Gas stations have a cash price. They can just say all prices are cash prices. Credit card purchases lower than $10 are rounded up to $10.

 

[Pacemaker]

The only places I have seen these signs are in gas stations/connivance stores, and IMO they only do it to force you to use the ATM machine that makes them cash instead of costing them cash.

To me stores who break the agreement deserve to be punished. If you don't want to follow the rules then you don't have accept credit. The stores decide what payments they will accept, but if they choose to accept a credit card they have abide by the TOS.

Also, to those saying "I wouldn't let you shop in my store." You can report a store without them ever knowing who reported them. What are you going to do ban everyone?