Re: Credit Card Surcharges

Melzie · ‎08-01-2010

@Mersha wrote:
I just received an email that my vet is issuing a 2.5% surcharge on all bills paid by credit card. They no longer want to pay the charges as they have in the past.

To avoid the surcharge, they suggest using alternate payment methods such as debit, cash or check. Not many clients will use a check or cash and many do not like debit cards.

Those of us with pets know how high these vet bills can go so the surcharges will be a significant amount. Also, the cost for services are quite high.

This is the first notification I received on surcharges for credit card purchases.

Are you seeing this more now too?

Yes. My mechanic, who I've been going to for over 30 years, informed me that there would now be a 3.5% service charge if using a credit card so I now pay by check. Some take out places are doing it also to the tune of 2.5%. Under these circumstances I'd only use a credit card if my back was against the wall and I didn't have enough on hand to pay by cash or check. I don't have, nor do I want, a debit card.

Now wherever I go I always ask first. If they're going to charge me a service charge to use a credit card I pay by check if I can or I pay cash. However, if I'm paying cash I'm not buying as much as I would have otherwise so it's their loss, especially take-out. If they're going to charge me more to shop at their business then I just won't buy as much as I would have otherwise or I'll go to another establishment where they don't charge the extra fee. More money in my pocket and probably didn't need more stuff or take-out anyway.

I have to watch my pennies and I know this plan isn't for everyone but it works for me.

We rescue cats · ‎01-25-2023

Our vet has instituted a fee for debit cards, PLUS if they do not have a 'standard' availability they charge an 'urgent fee' of $15 or an emergency fee of $30. . . if w/in 48 hours or some such nonsense. They just charged me that for putting our little girl down, they are losing a client with a dozen animals because of it. I'm requesting a copy of all our records, there's a new vet in town that we are moving our business to.

Lynn-Critter Lover!
(especially cats!)

KailaS · ‎03-09-2010

Credit card fees have been big in my part of PA for about 18 months. Then the general prices started going up,followed by the cost of checks. It really is getting crazy. I have cut everything I can, and now I just sigh and accept what I cannot change.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

@We rescue cats wrote:
Our vet has instituted a fee for debit cards, PLUS if they do not have a 'standard' availability they charge an 'urgent fee' of $15 or an emergency fee of $30. . . if w/in 48 hours or some such nonsense. They just charged me that for putting our little girl down, they are losing a client with a dozen animals because of it. I'm requesting a copy of all our records, there's a new vet in town that we are moving our business to.

That's heartless regarding your little girl, @We rescue cats