Is it okay for stores to have a minimum charge for a credit card?

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: cougarls88

Originally posted by: CZroe
Walmart's self-checkout machines refuse to read my check card as anything but a debit card

Hit "CANCEL", then "CREDIT" when it comes up...works the same at Kmart as well.

That USED to work, but not after they made somme other upgrade. Now the machine will always ask for a pin when you select credit, and will always only accept it as debit. The employees even say there's nothing they can do 🙁

 

[MysticWar]

Accepting debit/atm cards is cheaper for the business. The business can either eat up the fee for accepting debit/atm cards or they can pass that fee along to the customers through the surcharge fee. For my business, I choose not to charge the customers for using debit, atm, and credit cards. I view the acceptance of debit/atm cards as a convenience to my business because the fee is less than accepting credit cards in additional to faster deposit of the money into the (within 24hr instead of 48-72hr for credit transactions)

It is not against the merchant agreement for businesses to post a surcharge on DEBIT/ATM cards. It is, however, against the merchant agreement for credit card transactions.

The credit card processing companies usually set a minimum charge for a credit card transaction in order for the business to get a certain rate. If the transaction is below the set minimum, the business will be charged a higher rate. So I can understand why many businesses set a minimum for credit card purchase.

I didn't think 1.5% + 50c processing fee was too much for a business to pay. But at the end of the month, the total fees add up in the upward of several hundreds dollars for me. I guess it is a "small" price to pay for having the convenience of not losing a sale to a person who doesn't always carry or doesn't want to use cash.

 

[erub]

I just want to say that in the last 24 hours I have made charges of $.48 and $1.74. Chase PerfectCard 1% cash back rules - a penny saved is a penny earned 😛

 

[elanarchist]

Originally posted by: Ylen13
anyone have a link for visa card that you can notified them of store violating the agreement of not having minum fees

You have to call up your credit card issuer to lodge a complaint. Unfortunately, you can't do it online yet.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Ylen13
anyone have a link for visa card that you can notified them of store violating the agreement of not having minum fees

Call your lawyer and ask him to file a suit in Federal Court, twit.

 

[draggoon01]

Originally posted by: MysticWar
Accepting debit/atm cards is cheaper for the business. The business can either eat up the fee for accepting debit/atm cards or they can pass that fee along to the customers through the surcharge fee. For my business, I choose not to charge the customers for using debit, atm, and credit cards. I view the acceptance of debit/atm cards as a convenience to my business because the fee is less than accepting credit cards in additional to faster deposit of the money into the (within 24hr instead of 48-72hr for credit transactions)

It is not against the merchant agreement for businesses to post a surcharge on DEBIT/ATM cards. It is, however, against the merchant agreement for credit card transactions.

The credit card processing companies usually set a minimum charge for a credit card transaction in order for the business to get a certain rate. If the transaction is below the set minimum, the business will be charged a higher rate. So I can understand why many businesses set a minimum for credit card purchase.

I didn't think 1.5% + 50c processing fee was too much for a business to pay. But at the end of the month, the total fees add up in the upward of several hundreds dollars for me. I guess it is a "small" price to pay for having the convenience of not losing a sale to a person who doesn't always carry or doesn't want to use cash.

1.5% + $0.50 for credit card? you mind sharing what the debit/atm fees are for comparison?

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: Ylen13
anyone have a link for visa card that you can notified them of store violating the agreement of not having minum fees

Call your lawyer and ask him to file a suit in Federal Court, twit.

lol, and what is he going to sue for what? they didn't brake any agreement with me, instead they broke agreement with cc company which has the option if they want to persue this matter or drop it.

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: elanarchist

Originally posted by: Ylen13
anyone have a link for visa card that you can notified them of store violating the agreement of not having minum fees

You have to call up your credit card issuer to lodge a complaint. Unfortunately, you can't do it online yet.

k thx,

 

[MysticWar]

Originally posted by: draggoon01


1.5% + $0.50 for credit card? you mind sharing what the debit/atm fees are for comparison?

The debit/atm fee for me is $0.35 per each transaction and any applicable "network" fee. Most atm/debit cards don't have network fee but some do. You have to look at the logo behind the card(PLUS, STAR, INTERLINK, etc). I know for a fact that INTERLINK has a network fee. So on top of the $0.40, you have to pay the network fee also. Overall, it is cheaper to process debit/atm cards than credit card for me.

One more thing, the rate for credit card can vary too. Many things can cause your rate to go up such as transaction below the set minimum, the CVV(the 3 digits not raised on the credit card) not entered during the transaction, AVS(Address Verification Service) information wasn't entered, or card number was keyed instead of swiping the card through the terminal. So I can feel for many businesses why they set a certain limit on credit card transaction. A $5 sale after all the fees will probably be close to $3. That's not to say that they should do it. But what can you say, for many businesses, money comes first not the regulation.

I have CardService International as my processor. So, it may vary from other processors.

 

[MysticWar]

double post

 

[IamElectro]

Its not illegal but it is against the agreements with credit card companies. I worked in pizza shop for quite a while and, the reason alot places do this is because of thier local bank has a fee that they charge for each credit card purchase usually around .50. The credit card companies charge the vendor a flat rate of between 2 and 4% in most cases. Its those .50 charges from the local banks that eat into thier profits and is why alot of places try to put a minimum on purchases with credit cards.
If you think about it if a resturant takes in 1000 credit card purchases in a month that cost them 500 bucks in fees. Doesnt seem like much but when your average sale in a student union is around say 5 bucks that adds up. Believe me rent in a student union is not cheap either here at WVU the rent for Little Caesars when they were there was 11000 monthly. Dont get me wrong they make money but not as much as you may think considering the rent is still the same during summer and christmas breaks.

I dont agree with it and didnt when I worked there but that was thier reasoning for it.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Even if it's not illegal it should be. I hate waiting behind those people in the stores who bust out the plastic for a candy bar and a magazine. Items like this do not qualify as a major purchase people. Scrape some fvcking cash together.

And if you really have to use the plastic go to an ATM and get a cash advance. That way you're paying the interest instead of making the buisness pay the insane fee's because you can't be bothered by keeping a few bucks on you.

Hey asshat, you are damned right that I can't be bothered to keep cash on me. Also, I didn't sign a merchant agreement that states when and how I can accept a VISA card. You are way off base here, and saying that a company should be able to run over you because you have personal prejudice against those who like to use a credit card for most things. How about you learn to not be so nosy about how people are paying for something? How about you grow up and realize that everyone doesn't think the same way as you. If I want to get a candy-bar and a magazine on my credit card, then I can under the agreement the store signed with VISA. If the store doesn't like it, then they can stop accepting VISA or follow the agreement.

I would say 95% of my purchases are made by credit card. Whether it is 4 dollars or 400 dollars. Got a problem with it...

([])--------<> Here is a spoon so you can eat my ass.

BTW, what "insane" fees are you talking about? 3%+maybe 50 cents? Wow that is INSANE!

Uh oh, I twisted someones panties

Seriously dude, calm down. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings ok?

By the way, when did I ever say that "a company should be able to run you over"? I guess you were so busy trying to figure out how you'd draw your nifty little spoon that you didn't actually take the time to read. Let me type it out again in terms that hopefuly, won't confuse you. I'll also add points from your oh so well reasoned post.

Here's the jist of my original post in a nutshell: I don't enjoy waiting in line. Neither do most people. It annoys most of us when we're stuck behind you in like waiting for your card to process just to make sure that you've got enough free space on it to pay for that snickers your buying. Does that make it clear for you? So I'm not being nosy, I'm just stuck behind you. And I could give a rats ass less how you pay for things as long as you're not making me wait.

Just like the stupid lady I was stuck behind today who was buying a pack of cigarettes with her cc. And of course, there was some problem with the authorization and I spent 3 minutes waiting in line while the cashier tried to get the fvcking thing to clear.

Honestly, cash isn't that heavy or bulky. It really shouldn't kill people to keep a bill or two in their wallet.

 

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Even if it's not illegal it should be. I hate waiting behind those people in the stores who bust out the plastic for a candy bar and a magazine. Items like this do not qualify as a major purchase people. Scrape some fvcking cash together.

And if you really have to use the plastic go to an ATM and get a cash advance. That way you're paying the interest instead of making the buisness pay the insane fee's because you can't be bothered by keeping a few bucks on you.

Hey asshat, you are damned right that I can't be bothered to keep cash on me. Also, I didn't sign a merchant agreement that states when and how I can accept a VISA card. You are way off base here, and saying that a company should be able to run over you because you have personal prejudice against those who like to use a credit card for most things. How about you learn to not be so nosy about how people are paying for something? How about you grow up and realize that everyone doesn't think the same way as you. If I want to get a candy-bar and a magazine on my credit card, then I can under the agreement the store signed with VISA. If the store doesn't like it, then they can stop accepting VISA or follow the agreement.

I would say 95% of my purchases are made by credit card. Whether it is 4 dollars or 400 dollars. Got a problem with it...

([])--------<> Here is a spoon so you can eat my ass.

BTW, what "insane" fees are you talking about? 3%+maybe 50 cents? Wow that is INSANE!

Uh oh, I twisted someones panties

Seriously dude, calm down. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings ok?

By the way, when did I ever say that "a company should be able to run you over"? I guess you were so busy trying to figure out how you'd draw your nifty little spoon that you didn't actually take the time to read. Let me type it out again in terms that hopefuly, won't confuse you. I'll also add points from your oh so well reasoned post.

Here's the jist of my original post in a nutshell: I don't enjoy waiting in line. Neither do most people. It annoys most of us when we're stuck behind you in like waiting for your card to process just to make sure that you've got enough free space on it to pay for that snickers your buying. Does that make it clear for you? So I'm not being nosy, I'm just stuck behind you. And I could give a rats ass less how you pay for things as long as you're not making me wait.

Just like the stupid lady I was stuck behind today who was buying a pack of cigarettes with her cc. And of course, there was some problem with the authorization and I spent 3 minutes waiting in line while the cashier tried to get the fvcking thing to clear.

Honestly, cash isn't that heavy or bulky. It really shouldn't kill people to keep a bill or two in their wallet.

How can you differentiate between people who make large purchases with credit cards and small purchases with credit cards? No matter WHAT you buy, it takes the same amount of time. Next time you buy a DVD player at Circuit City, I hope you follow your own advice and 'scrape some fvcking cash together.' I hate waiting in line behind people like you.

Also, all I'm saying about the restaurant in the union is that they'll be losing a LOT of business if people discover that they can't use their credit card for most purchases. It would seem worth it to me to take a small hit on those smaller purchases in the name of having happy customers return, instead of having them tell their friends not to eat there.

Then again, that's just my opinion.