My new town drives me nuts

[gettinstarted08]

Okay - so I just moved to Barstow California. It was not by choice - but rather my marine husband was transferred here. For those that aren't aware (aside from being the armpit of California) Barstow is the halfway stop on the way to Vegas. It is very touristy (which I find hilarious since it's such a dirty little town). Anyway, at the gas stations, fast food shops, all the places a tourist is likely to visit - I get asked for my id EVERY time i use my card. i have tried to explain to folks the policies, they laugh at me and say they don't care, they have their own policies. There are minimums to use a credit card almost everywhere (or pay a fee), and in some stores you have to pay a fee to use no matter how much (or little) you spend, and 2 stores also charge a fee to use your debit card.

 

xoxoxo Frustrated in the High Desert!

[GEORGE]

Okay - so I just moved to Barstow California. It was not by choice - but rather my marine husband was transferred here. For those that aren't aware (aside from being the armpit of California) Barstow is the halfway stop on the way to Vegas. It is very touristy (which I find hilarious since it's such a dirty little town). Anyway, at the gas stations, fast food shops, all the places a tourist is likely to visit - I get asked for my id EVERY time i use my card. i have tried to explain to folks the policies, they laugh at me and say they don't care, they have their own policies. There are minimums to use a credit card almost everywhere (or pay a fee), and in some stores you have to pay a fee to use no matter how much (or little) you spend, and 2 stores also charge a fee to use your debit card.

 

xoxoxo Frustrated in the High Desert!

NO MINIMUM TO USE A CREDIT CARD

 

NO MAXIMUM TO USE A CREDIT CARD

 

NO FEE TO USE A CREDIT CARD

 

NO ID ON A SIGNED CREDIT CARD

 

The business does not get to over-rule the credit card policy

[gettinstarted08]

I know that - but try telling them that!

[GEORGE]

I know that - but try telling them that!

THE POLICY IS IN MY WALLET...in that place some carry that EXPENSIVE CASH STUFF

[Uncle Leo]

Anyone have any PRACTICAL advice that the OP can use in the real world that might... actually, you know... work?

[hurricanesfans27]

I know that - but try telling them that!

 

 

 

 

try disputing the charge with your credit card provider and watch how fast that will change when they get a few chargebacks.

[improper_validation]

CALIFORNIA POSSESSES A "NO SURCHARGE RULE" FOR CONSUMER PURCHASES

"No retailer...may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means..."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Discounts for Cash Payments are allowed in California

"A retailer may, however, offer discounts for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check or other means not involving the use of a credit card, provided that the discount is offered to all prospective buyers."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Statutes cover: Credit Cards only

Statute: (Cal. Civ. Code § 1747.02(a) (West) (defining "credit card"))

California State Attorney General – Consumer Complaints

(*external link implies no endorsement by state of California)

 

Let them know it's illegal as well as a violation to charge a fee. Report them to the AG.

[hurricanesfans27]

CALIFORNIA POSSESSES A "NO SURCHARGE RULE" FOR CONSUMER PURCHASES

"No retailer...may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means..."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Discounts for Cash Payments are allowed in California

"A retailer may, however, offer discounts for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check or other means not involving the use of a credit card, provided that the discount is offered to all prospective buyers."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Statutes cover: Credit Cards only

Statute: (Cal. Civ. Code § 1747.02(a) (West) (defining "credit card"))

California State Attorney General ��" Consumer Complaints

(*external link implies no endorsement by state of California)

 

Let them know it's illegal as well as a violation to charge a fee. Report them to the AG.

 

 

No criminal penalties? in florida its a 2nd degree misdeameanor to charge a fee for using a credit card. Back in 2005 I got charged a fee for the body work on my truck which amounted to 30 dollars by the body shop. I wound up disputing the charge with chase and got my money back. If I knew at the time that this was a crime I would have called the police and reported it (thanks Pam). If it happens now thats the first thing I will do.

[Uncle Leo]

CALIFORNIA POSSESSES A "NO SURCHARGE RULE" FOR CONSUMER PURCHASES

"No retailer...may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means..."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Discounts for Cash Payments are allowed in California

"A retailer may, however, offer discounts for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check or other means not involving the use of a credit card, provided that the discount is offered to all prospective buyers."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Statutes cover: Credit Cards only

Statute: (Cal. Civ. Code § 1747.02(a) (West) (defining "credit card"))

California State Attorney General – Consumer Complaints

(*external link implies no endorsement by state of California)

Let them know it's illegal as well as a violation to charge a fee. Report them to the AG.

Good catch. I know that it is actually illegal in some states, California being one of them, and didn't even think to look for the OP's location.

[centex]

It would help if certain people would stop misquoting policy...

 

If they would go back and re-read Section 5.6.3 (MC policy manual), they would find that it is NOT a violation to ask for ID. The sale cannot be conditioned upon the requirement of presentment however...

 

A Merchant must not refuse to complete a Transaction solely because a

Cardholder who has complied with the conditions for presentment of a Card at

the POI refuses to provide additional identification information, except as

specifically permitted or required by the Standards.

 

NOTHING in that clause precludes asking for ID.

[frank22]

It would help if certain people would stop misquoting policy...

 

If they would go back and re-read Section 5.6.3 (MC policy manual), they would find that it is NOT a violation to ask for ID. The sale cannot be conditioned upon the requirement of presentment however...

 

A Merchant must not refuse to complete a Transaction solely because a

Cardholder who has complied with the conditions for presentment of a Card at

the POI refuses to provide additional identification information, except as

specifically permitted or required by the Standards.

 

NOTHING in that clause precludes asking for ID.

 

Funny though it is almost worthless if you can't condition the sale on the ID. You can ask, but if they so no, you have to sell it to them anyway, why ask?

 

I guess you could at that point say you are suspicious, and then not make the sale, but does refusal allow you to become suspicious in of itself? Or maybe the person gets nervous. Or could you just say he became nervous? It seems it could get messy.

[green2408]

Okay - so I just moved to Barstow California. It was not by choice - but rather my marine husband was transferred here. For those that aren't aware (aside from being the armpit of California) Barstow is the halfway stop on the way to Vegas. It is very touristy (which I find hilarious since it's such a dirty little town). Anyway, at the gas stations, fast food shops, all the places a tourist is likely to visit - I get asked for my id EVERY time i use my card. i have tried to explain to folks the policies, they laugh at me and say they don't care, they have their own policies. There are minimums to use a credit card almost everywhere (or pay a fee), and in some stores you have to pay a fee to use no matter how much (or little) you spend, and 2 stores also charge a fee to use your debit card.

 

xoxoxo Frustrated in the High Desert!

 

Welcome to that certain part of California that you never really know about if you're from the East Coast. I faced the same situation a couple years ago when I moved further north in the San Joaquin Valley than you are. I would say it was almost 100% of places asked for ID, minimums, surcharges, etc. At first I used to argue with people, which I came to realize is counterproductive and a waste of time because as you found out they just think what they think, and rarely are you going to convince anyone. Sometimes I would talk to the manager or owner. Most people did not appreciate it, or were resistant to the idea that there were rules they had to follow.

What I started doing is reporting people to Visa and MC, (MC has an on-line form) and with Visa 800-VISA 911 and ask to make and "incident report".

It's a bit of a hassle and the results aren't immediate but I have to say that I haven't run into any of these practices in about a year. I probably made 15-20 reports over the course of a year.

[GEORGE]

ASK FOR ID TILL THE COWS COME HOME

 

I don't back down...THE BUSINESS HAS TO BACK DOWN

Edited September 11, 2009 by GEORGE

[GEORGE]

When you make showing ID more important than the actual sale...SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG

 

(assuming the card is signed)

Edited September 11, 2009 by GEORGE

[whar8]

I know that - but try telling them that!

 

 

 

 

try disputing the charge with your credit card provider and watch how fast that will change when they get a few chargebacks.

 

I have to have a line item transaction in order to report a merchant violation to my issuer. Even then they do not 1. give an immediate credit during investigation and 2. rarely rule in my favor thus I suspect the merchant never gets a chargeback as I never got a credit. Is a statement credit a good proxy for a merchant chargeback and getting them to perk up.

[cljohnr]

CALIFORNIA POSSESSES A "NO SURCHARGE RULE" FOR CONSUMER PURCHASES

"No retailer...may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means..."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Discounts for Cash Payments are allowed in California

"A retailer may, however, offer discounts for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check or other means not involving the use of a credit card, provided that the discount is offered to all prospective buyers."

Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.1(a) (West)

Statutes cover: Credit Cards only

Statute: (Cal. Civ. Code § 1747.02(a) (West) (defining "credit card"))

California State Attorney General – Consumer Complaints

(*external link implies no endorsement by state of California)

Let them know it's illegal as well as a violation to charge a fee. Report them to the AG.

Unfortunately, it seems like it really wouldn't even be worth the hassle to follow up with the civil law. If it's a $2 fee, you can sue them for $6 if they fail to refund you the money after you request it via certified mail. It does allow for "reasonable" attorney's fees though, so maybe if you made the demand to every business in town you might find a willing lawyer.

 

 

http://law.onecle.com/california/civil/1748.1.html

[improper_validation]

I know that - but try telling them that!

 

 

 

 

try disputing the charge with your credit card provider and watch how fast that will change when they get a few chargebacks.

 

I have to have a line item transaction in order to report a merchant violation to my issuer. Even then they do not 1. give an immediate credit during investigation and 2. rarely rule in my favor thus I suspect the merchant never gets a chargeback as I never got a credit. Is a statement credit a good proxy for a merchant chargeback and getting them to perk up.

 

What issuer is this? Maybe they themselves need to be reported to VISA.

 

In any case, call 1-800-VISA-911 and report them.

[whar8]

I know that - but try telling them that!

 

 

 

 

try disputing the charge with your credit card provider and watch how fast that will change when they get a few chargebacks.

 

I have to have a line item transaction in order to report a merchant violation to my issuer. Even then they do not 1. give an immediate credit during investigation and 2. rarely rule in my favor thus I suspect the merchant never gets a chargeback as I never got a credit. Is a statement credit a good proxy for a merchant chargeback and getting them to perk up.

 

What issuer is this? Maybe they themselves need to be reported to VISA.

 

In any case, call 1-800-VISA-911 and report them.

 

I concur. HSBC - they are clueless