$5 Minimum

[BBQ123]

Was on the other side of the city the other day and I went to buy a pack of gum. It was $1.19.

 

I tried to pay with my Citi MasterCard and the clerk said, "Do you have cash?" to which I replied "No, but you guys take MasterCard."

 

The clerk says, "$5 minimum." I told him that "minimum charges are not allowed by MasterCard, and that if you display the sign saying you accept it you can't set a minimum."

 

They took the card. It seemed like they knew they were breaking the policy, though... as they backed down very quickly. I am reporting them to MasterCard.

[Johnsmatrix]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

[GEORGE]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

VISA/MC/AMEX

[Uncle Leo]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

VISA/MC/AMEX

Discover, also? IIRC, Discover only varies in the showing of ID, and is still the same as the others in the rest.

[USPSA-Shooter]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

VISA/MC/AMEX

Discover, also? IIRC, Discover only varies in the showing of ID, and is still the same as the others in the rest.

 

Doesn't Discover allow for the charging of fees now?

[Uncle Leo]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

VISA/MC/AMEX

Discover, also? IIRC, Discover only varies in the showing of ID, and is still the same as the others in the rest.

Doesn't Discover allow for the charging of fees now?

Yeah, that's it. I know there's one area where Discover deviates from the rest, but I guess my memory was failing me on which one. My bad.

[GEORGE]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

VISA/MC/AMEX

Discover, also? IIRC, Discover only varies in the showing of ID, and is still the same as the others in the rest.

 

Doesn't Discover allow for the charging of fees now?

DISCOVER IS KINDA' IFFY...

[hurricanesfans27]

Is that the same for Visa? I would imagine so.

VISA/MC/AMEX

Discover, also? IIRC, Discover only varies in the showing of ID, and is still the same as the others in the rest.

 

Doesn't Discover allow for the charging of fees now?

DISCOVER IS KINDA' IFFY...

 

 

they cant charge fees if its against state law.

[enigma]

Of interest to FL residents:

 

My brother is the Sr. programmer for a very credit card processor, they are working on software that will allow the merhcant to add a "fee" to the transaction.

 

In FL it cannot be done with true credit cards, but ATM/Debit/Check Cards can have a fee attached.

 

Even if you sign for the purchase, the data is retrived from the card on what type of card it is.

[Sultan]

I'm thinking some of these merchants are starting to catch on.... ?

 

I used to see this all the time 2 or 3 years ago not so much lately.

 

I always refer them to Creditboards so they can get the real scoop.

[MrsRNA]

Of interest to FL residents:

 

My brother is the Sr. programmer for a very credit card processor, they are working on software that will allow the merhcant to add a "fee" to the transaction.

 

In FL it cannot be done with true credit cards, but ATM/Debit/Check Cards can have a fee attached.

 

Even if you sign for the purchase, the data is retrived from the card on what type of card it is.

I thought fees were illegal in Fl. Although, my former employer did that all the time. Purchase was $3.20, punch $3.50 into machine.

[GEORGE]

Of interest to FL residents:

 

My brother is the Sr. programmer for a very credit card processor, they are working on software that will allow the merhcant to add a "fee" to the transaction.

 

In FL it cannot be done with true credit cards, but ATM/Debit/Check Cards can have a fee attached.

 

Even if you sign for the purchase, the data is retrived from the card on what type of card it is.

I thought fees were illegal in Fl. Although, my former employer did that all the time. Purchase was $3.20, punch $3.50 into machine.

ILLEGAL IN CO TOO

[Uncle Leo]

For most of the state laws where it is illegal to charge a fee it is dependent on the type of transaction. At least, up to now. If you were using your branded ebit card as a signed "credit" transaction, you could not be charged a fee. If you were using it literally as a debit card, with a PIN, you could be charged a fee.

 

Most places that I have seen charge the fee for the debit transaction were fast food restaurants, and smaller businesses and gas station, etc. Most large grocery and retail stores have not.

[BBQ123]

Of interest to FL residents:

 

My brother is the Sr. programmer for a very credit card processor, they are working on software that will allow the merhcant to add a "fee" to the transaction.

 

In FL it cannot be done with true credit cards, but ATM/Debit/Check Cards can have a fee attached.

 

Even if you sign for the purchase, the data is retrived from the card on what type of card it is.

 

If they add a fee to a Visa/MC check/debit card they are in violation.

[enigma]

Per FL Statutes and the AG office, it is not a violation to add a fee to a debit/check card:

 

501.0117 Credit cards; transactions in which seller or lessor prohibited from imposing surcharge; penalty.--

 

(1) A seller or lessor in a sales or lease transaction may not impose a surcharge on the buyer or lessee for electing to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means, if the seller or lessor accepts payment by credit card. A surcharge is any additional amount imposed at the time of a sale or lease transaction by the seller or lessor that increases the charge to the buyer or lessee for the privilege of using a credit card to make payment. Charges imposed pursuant to approved state or federal tariffs are not considered to be a surcharge, and charges made under such tariffs are exempt from this section. The term "credit card" includes those cards for which unpaid balances are payable on demand. This section does not apply to the offering of a discount for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check, or other means not involving the use of a credit card, if the discount is offered to all prospective customers.

 

(2) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

It is a violation of MC/Visa policy, but not a violation of the law.

 

Our local newstation did a major undercover investigation on this. They had a spokesman from the AG office that verified that a merchant could add fees to debt/check cards.

[GEORGE]

Per FL Statutes and the AG office, it is not a violation to add a fee to a debit/check card:

 

501.0117 Credit cards; transactions in which seller or lessor prohibited from imposing surcharge; penalty.--

 

(1) A seller or lessor in a sales or lease transaction may not impose a surcharge on the buyer or lessee for electing to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means, if the seller or lessor accepts payment by credit card. A surcharge is any additional amount imposed at the time of a sale or lease transaction by the seller or lessor that increases the charge to the buyer or lessee for the privilege of using a credit card to make payment. Charges imposed pursuant to approved state or federal tariffs are not considered to be a surcharge, and charges made under such tariffs are exempt from this section. The term "credit card" includes those cards for which unpaid balances are payable on demand. This section does not apply to the offering of a discount for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check, or other means not involving the use of a credit card, if the discount is offered to all prospective customers.

 

(2) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

It is a violation of MC/Visa policy, but not a violation of the law.

 

Our local newstation did a major undercover investigation on this. They had a spokesman from the AG office that verified that a merchant could add fees to debt/check cards.

I thought the subject was ADDING A FEE TO A CREDIT CARD

 

ILLEGAL IN SELECTED STATES

[Sultan]

Jeez some merchants are just asking to get the dogs unleashed.

 

Hey it's not like they were not warned either.

[TampaDude]

Per FL Statutes and the AG office, it is not a violation to add a fee to a debit/check card:

 

501.0117 Credit cards; transactions in which seller or lessor prohibited from imposing surcharge; penalty.--

 

(1) A seller or lessor in a sales or lease transaction may not impose a surcharge on the buyer or lessee for electing to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means, if the seller or lessor accepts payment by credit card. A surcharge is any additional amount imposed at the time of a sale or lease transaction by the seller or lessor that increases the charge to the buyer or lessee for the privilege of using a credit card to make payment. Charges imposed pursuant to approved state or federal tariffs are not considered to be a surcharge, and charges made under such tariffs are exempt from this section. The term "credit card" includes those cards for which unpaid balances are payable on demand. This section does not apply to the offering of a discount for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check, or other means not involving the use of a credit card, if the discount is offered to all prospective customers.

 

(2) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

It is a violation of MC/Visa policy, but not a violation of the law.

 

Our local newstation did a major undercover investigation on this. They had a spokesman from the AG office that verified that a merchant could add fees to debt/check cards.

 

The debit card exemption, if applicable, ONLY applies if the transaction is conducted with a PIN. If the check card (with the Visa/MC logo) is presented and run as a credit sale, the Visa/MC rules apply because the authorization goes over their network.

[auto90403]

why anyone would use a debit card over a credit card is beyond me.

 

you have so many more protections with credit cards.

 

especially if something goes wrong. like when you need to dispute a transaction, fraud protection, stolen card issues, and so on.

[Uncle Leo]

why anyone would use a debit card over a credit card is beyond me.

 

you have so many more protections with credit cards.

 

especially if something goes wrong. like when you need to dispute a transaction, fraud protection, stolen card issues, and so on.

Some people don't handle credit very well, and are at least mature enough to know that, so to "save themselves", they go with the next best thing... debit cards. There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, they should be commended for being wise enough to not dig themselves in too deep.

 

Yeah, they may not have all the protections, but over the course of 40+ years, if a debit card is their difference between a decent retirement and bankruptcy and squalor, I'd rather have them use the debit card.

[rb22982]

Stop being a **** and pay with cash for transactions of that little amount. Credit Card transactions cost around 30-35¢ up front plus another 1-3% likely eating the entire profit off the pack of gum, possibly even losing money. All you do is make places like that jack up the cost of everything. At least use your debit card if nothing else. Will only cost around 15¢ then.

Edited April 10, 2006 by rb22982

[GEORGE]

Stop being a **** and pay with cash for transactions of that little amount. Credit Card transactions cost around 30-35¢ up front plus another 1-3% likely eating the entire profit off the pack of gum, possibly even losing money. All you do is make places like that jack up the cost of everything. At least use your debit card if nothing else. Will only cost around 15¢ then.

SORRY I DON'T USE CASH

 

DON'T HAVE A DEBIT CARD EITHER

 

But I don't only charge a pack of gum...

Edited April 10, 2006 by GEORGE

[GEORGE]

NO MINIMUM

 

NO MAXIMUM

 

BECAUSE THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY SAYS I CAN

[rb22982]

A few consumers on this board must be in love inflation or their mutual funds not performing as well as they would normally (bottom line).

[GEORGE]

A few consumers on this board must be in love inflation or their mutual funds not performing as well as they would normally (bottom line).

...OR YOUR IN [TRAINING]