I was planning on making a fairly large purchase. I received a quote and the fine print said:

Please not the prices quoted include a 3% discount for payment by check or money order. Any other type of payment will result in the 3% discount being revoked.



thoughts? did they work around the Visa/MC policy?

Totally ok. A merchant can give a discount for a cash payment. They just cannot upcharge additional fees for using VISA/MC

The standard "I am not a lawyer" thing would apply here, but in my mind they did NOT work around the policy. The way the policy is both worded and intended, IMHO, is that the listed price must be the real price and that any discounts must be applied AFTER the price is posted. By "revoking" the discount, I think they are advertising the cash price, which is incorrect. The wording is awkward and still comes off as a surcharge. The way I understand it, of course.

I know many years ago I've seen gasoline listed at the "cash price", but that suddenly stopped, and if my memory isn't too hazy on this one, I think that stopped because the state told them to. Don't quote me on that one, though. Plus, law would vary from state to state.

A discount for cash is generally permitted (you would need to review state statutes to determine whether it is acceptable in your location). However, my concern with the invoice is that it quotes the cash price and then does an upcharge for the use of credit, which would generally run afoul of the various provisions.

Had they said "It will cost this much, but we will offer a 3% discount for cash" then they would have been on much firmer ground...

well, after buying a house this past year, and makeing some improvements and additions, I've specifically requested quotes for the work to be performed on a cash basis exclusively.

And I mean just exactly that.

GMC

no checks
no credit cards
no debit card.

just Green Money Cash.

And if the work isn't done right and they refuse to refund that GMC?

ummmmmmmmmmm bbq123, I'm an old bear.

You don't mess with an old GROUCHY bear.

PS: the work was done correctly, and done to specs, and most providently, to my utter satisfaction.

and

THEN

I parted with my GMC.

I don't use CASH

I wouldn't think that the loss of rewards would pay off

(unless you are getting some massive discount for CASH)