Community Chat

[We rescue cats]

Are you encountering the credit card merchant fees that the card companies charge the merchant being passed on to you as the consumer? Usually 3-5%? Are they being charged in your area and if so what are your thoughts? Seems to be taking our area by storm all of a sudden, even professional offices like doctors are doing it. This week I received a message from the hair and nail salon I have gone to for 15 years that they are going to charge 4% more if I choose to use a debit or credit card.This is coming after a services increase that came about just 2 months ago, and the salon I go to is one of the priciest in town. I'm considering changing, there is a salon just 2 miles from my house that is quite a bit less expensive and they do not charge a 'card' fee, I may try them out in the coming weeks. 

[Etoile308]

I understand and can sympathize with small businesses working with small profit margins.

I usually use my reward credit card except when there is a financial advantage to use cash. To me, cash will always be king. 

And I will always carry a card and cash with me.

[Sage04]

My hairdresser uses Zelle and that works for me. I've heard of some that use Cash app.

[Desertdi]

NOT where I live.    In fact, nobody wants to even touch CASH since Covid.    Even thrift and $ stores now have card readers.

[Illinoisborn]

I've always assumed that prices charged by merchants include covering their credit card fees....Just like charging enough to cover all their other business expenses. I know of one merchant that gives a discount if you pay cash.

[KailaS]

It has been going on almost two years where I live. I pay cash to get my hair done, at the market, and lots of other places. I buy groceries with my debit card ( which has not been hit with extra fees), and large costs (like a big dental procedure for $5000) found me using a check. (Yes, my dentist accepted it.) 

[Carmie]

Yes, some merchants are passing along the fees to the consumers.  I have noticed it in family run restaurants, gas stations and small stores.

Some of our utility companies will charge an extra fee if you pay your bill online....checks have no extra fees.

Other merchants will not take cash.  They only take cards.

I always carry cash with me.  I don't want to pay extra.

[nycalady]

@We rescue cats  Quite prevalent at independent hair & nail salons. make it a habit to ask if there's a "convenience fee" for using a credit card. If there is, I pay cash.

[SloopJohnB]

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@We rescue cats wrote:

Are you encountering the credit card merchant fees that the card companies charge the merchant being passed on to you as the consumer? Usually 3-5%? Are they being charged in your area and if so what are your thoughts? Seems to be taking our area by storm all of a sudden, even professional offices like doctors are doing it. This week I received a message from the hair and nail salon I have gone to for 15 years that they are going to charge 4% more if I choose to use a debit or credit card.This is coming after a services increase that came about just 2 months ago, and the salon I go to is one of the priciest in town. I'm considering changing, there is a salon just 2 miles from my house that is quite a bit less expensive and they do not charge a 'card' fee, I may try them out in the coming weeks. 

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Unfortunately, I have encountered this for the last couple of years.  I have posted about it here, too.  I don't like it.  Just a few of the places that charge us here are my son's barber, my lawyer, diagnostic medical facility, post office, license plate agency, mechanic, and various stores.  For now anyway, Publix does not.  I always felt that the charge to the business was the cost of doing business but it seems now the tables have turned.

[Mz iMac]

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@We rescue cats wrote:

Are you encountering the credit card merchant fees that the card companies charge the merchant being passed on to you as the consumer? Usually 3-5%? Are they being charged in your area and if so what are your thoughts?

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@We rescue cats   Yes but, it never affected me as I am a cash & carry gal.  I don't even carry my cc.

In my neck of the woods, merchants have always charged extra if payment by CC.  Some merchants consider a debit card as cash therefore, not adding fees to your order.

Chinese take out places will give you a 5% discount if paying by cash.  A Jewish deli I go to also gives you a 5% discount if paying by cash.

N.J. gas stations charge more for gas if using a CC.

As someone already mentioned further up in this thread......

CASH IS KING!