Minimum Purchase - told me I had to buy more things!

[JTinNewYork]

I stopped at a local mini-mart/gas station last night. Bought a soda, some chips, etc. The total was $8.59. The cashier says "we have a minimum $10 on all cc sales". I just look at her in disbelief. Then, get this, she goes on to say, complete with an attitude, "so you'll have to buy more things to get to the $10 level".

 

My response... "you aren't going to tell me what I have to buy or how much of my earned money I can spend and you are not allow to have minimums on credit card sales".

 

She instantly shuts up and agrees to accept my cc.

[rslifkin]

This could be a major problem. I have shopped at no less than 3 stores this week, since I do use credit almost exclusively for purchases in my daily life (Shall I list the stores?) that have $10 limit or better.

 

I also was asked for ID at Best Buy, but that is :offtopic:to this, and a different issue.

 

Needless to say, ID was shown and the purchases were $11 or better by adding things on...

 

What is the right way to handle the minimum credit purchase amount issue? Im not trying to go off-topic here.

[hegemony]

this is why I carry a single $100 bill in my wallet. I give subprime merchants a choice: take my credit card or break the $100. Not a single merchant has opted for the subprime cash. These merchants forget that cash is a very expensive means to transact.

[groze]

The $10.00 minimum or below is allowed now in the U.S. by law. Have a minimum purchase of $10.01 or higher still violates the credit card companies rules.

[hegemony]

The $10.00 minimum or below is allowed now in the U.S. by law. Have a minimum purchase of $10.01 or higher still violates the credit card companies rules.

 

true, but if merchants were is such dire need to relief then why have they all refused my CASH and let me charge small purchases?

[rslifkin]

The $10.00 minimum or below is allowed now in the U.S. by law. Have a minimum purchase of $10.01 or higher still violates the credit card companies rules.

 

true, but if merchants were is such dire need to relief then why have they all refused my CASH and let me charge small purchases?

 

And why does every retailer not utilize this minimum?

 

I notice smaller and more "cheap with their money" stores are the one with a note written on an index card with a Sharpie taped up over the card reader are the primary times I see that which says "$10 minimum."

[Need More RWHP]

From my understanding from the last edition of US law that permitted $10 minimum, credit card companies can't prohibit minimum purchase.

 

Permitted:

$n minimum purchase required on all CC purchase. Credit card NOT accepted under $n. (credit card issues maintain the right to prohibit minimum purchase above $10)

 

NOT permitted:

$n minimum OR we'll steal 45 cents from you.

 

or...

 

We're going to fraudulently charge xx cents/percent of purchase price for using credit card.

 

Adding fees for credit card is prohibited by VISA/MC, period. AMEX follows as they need to be treated with equal preference as other cards.

[hegemony]

From my understanding from the last edition of US law that permitted $10 minimum, credit card companies can't prohibit minimum purchase.

 

Permitted:

$n minimum purchase required on all CC purchase. Credit card NOT accepted under $n. (credit card issues maintain the right to prohibit minimum purchase above $10)

 

NOT permitted:

$n minimum OR we'll steal 45 cents from you.

 

or...

 

We're going to fraudulently charge xx cents/percent of purchase price for using credit card.

 

Adding fees for credit card is prohibited by VISA/MC, period. AMEX follows as they need to be treated with equal preference as other cards.

 

 

just because a min. purchase is not against policy or the law does not mean a consumer has to comply. That is why I carry a single $100 bill. I have yet to find a merchant willing to take the $100 in lieu of a credit card for small purchases.