Community Chat

[THEY CallMe Mr Wilkes]

I eat almost every meal out (except for coffee in the morning), so I have seen the evolution of this trend.

Two of my most frequented diners (NYC) started a 3% credit card surcharge during the pandemic.  One just raised it to 3.75%.  I use a 4% cashback rewards card in restaurants, but I am watching closely.   I'll switch to cash if it gets crazy.

As an aside,  I think it's important to always have at least some cash with you at all times.  I remember during the lockdown a few small food shops would only take cash.

My route also takes me by a few  familiar homeless, down and out, so I always try to help them with something. 

[teganslaw]

I meet with a group of friends every month for lunch, and almost every restaurant we go to charges about 2-3% for using a debit or credit card. I  always pay cash in restaurants. I think this is the norm rather than the exception. 

[beckyb1012]

The only place I know of is a locally owned cupcake store.  They started the practice about a year ago and put up a notice.  They also mentioned it at the beginning of every transaction so customers had a choice to pay in cash without the fee.  I have not noticed any fees on restaurant receipts and I do check them well.  I am sure it is coming.  I prefer to carry cash so it will not bother me but some never have any cash on them.

[Cakers3]

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@Twins Mom wrote:

Its becoming quite common in restaurants for them to add an additional fee if customer uses a charge card.  Sometimes I don't even notice the policy.  I am actually finding myself needing to go to the bank.  Are you also seeing?

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@Twins Mom  This may have been posted already but at one time restaurants could not charge a fee. It changed in 20** something.

The restaurant cannot charge more than what they are charged by the credit card companies which can vary by card but the maximum is 4% to them.

The fee to the customer has to be a separate line item and also disclosed elsewhere. I assume a sign and/or on the menu.

[deeva]

The root of the problem is that credit card companies are allowed to charge higher and higher fees.

But the higher fees allow credit cards to offer cash back and other rewards to customers. 

And businesses are no longer able or willing to absorb the fees. 

[Cakers3]

@Twins Mom   The fee cannot be charged for debit cards and gift cards either.

We pay cash most times but have not seen the fee the rare times we have used a card.

[I am still oxox]

Had that happen to us last week at a local pub, I always use my bank card never cash and this is the first time I have noticced this 

[JillyMarie]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

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@Twins Mom wrote:

Its becoming quite common in restaurants for them to add an additional fee if customer uses a charge card.  Sometimes I don't even notice the policy.  I am actually finding myself needing to go to the bank.  Are you also seeing?

---

@Twins Mom  This may have been posted already but at one time restaurants could not charge a fee. It changed in 20** something.

The restaurant cannot charge more than what they are charged by the credit card companies which can vary by card but the maximum is 4% to them.

The fee to the customer has to be a separate line item and also disclosed elsewhere. I assume a sign and/or on the menu.

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Out of curiosity, would you tip on the fee?  If the bottom line is $50 and includes a 4% credit card fee would you tip on $48 or $50.  Not a big deal when the amount is small but it would irk me to tip 20% on a fee when the bill is $300.  Which is easy to spend these days.

[geezerette]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

@Twins Mom   The fee cannot be charged for debit cards and gift cards either.

We pay cash most times but have not seen the fee the rare times we have used a card.

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@Cakers3 

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure someone will!☺️), but if I remember correctly at least part of the reason debit cards were invented to begin with was an opportunity for customers to avoid the transaction fees on credit cards that businesses were charging at the time.

That was the beginning of businesses absorbing the credit card fee themselves.

[Cakers3]

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@JillyMarie wrote:

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@Cakers3 wrote:

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@Twins Mom wrote:

Its becoming quite common in restaurants for them to add an additional fee if customer uses a charge card.  Sometimes I don't even notice the policy.  I am actually finding myself needing to go to the bank.  Are you also seeing?

---

@Twins Mom  This may have been posted already but at one time restaurants could not charge a fee. It changed in 20** something.

The restaurant cannot charge more than what they are charged by the credit card companies which can vary by card but the maximum is 4% to them.

The fee to the customer has to be a separate line item and also disclosed elsewhere. I assume a sign and/or on the menu.

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Out of curiosity, would you tip on the fee?  If the bottom line is $50 and includes a 4% credit card fee would you tip on $48 or $50.  Not a big deal when the amount is small but it would irk me to tip 20% on a fee when the bill is $300.  Which is easy to spend these days.

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@JillyMarie  I would not tip on the fee. The tip is strictly for the service provided.   The fee as nothing to do with our order being taken and delivered.

The fee is supposed to be a separate line item so the cost of the food plus tax, if tax applies, would be what we would use to calculate the tip.

I posted upthread cc cap is 4% (federal rule)and that's the max the vendor can charge.

The fee can vary by card and state but nobody should be charged a fee above the 4%

If this has changed someone can correct me.