Community Chat

[Lucky Charm]

The only people I've dealt with recently that charge credit card fees (2.99%) would be our architect and our lawyer to represent us to the city for building variations.

Of course, I refuse to pay that, so we pay cash (check).  They charge unbelievable hourly rates, yet would still have a fee for using a credit card.  Phoey.

One of my 3 utilites charges for online payments.  So they wait for check in the mail, too.

I'm too frugal to pay an extra percentage to use a credit card.  Proud of it!

[We rescue cats]

Visa and MC were a;ways credited to olur account the same as a check but Amex it took several days, and the length of time for the settlement was taken into consideration in setting the discount fee. We hated accepting Amex, and we were Amex reps!

[Sage04]

@Caffiena, just early last year I used my Debit Visa Card to pay for a storage unit. When I realized I was paying $3.50 a month to use it, I bought some checks from Chase (3 for a dollar) and paid by check. Didcost me postage because the office was right around the corner.
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[Sage04]

@Caffeina, sorry I put the I before the e in your name. I'm posting ony phone and couldn't correct it.

[cindyNC]

I've always paid cash for haircuts, restaurants.  My dentist offers a discount off the bill if you pay cash or check. 

[icezeus]

Yes, I have experienced it. It's normally at smaller businesses.

Some of the smaller restaurants that I go and have lunch with my co-workers with have this policy. I always carry cash during the work week and use cash to pay for my lunch so it does not affect me. The same at my Nail Salon, I always make sure that I have cash to use when I am going to get a spa pedicure. 

[Desertdi]

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@Carmie wrote:

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@Meowingkitty wrote:

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@Desertdi wrote:

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

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We have found a couple of restaurants that charge a fee. When we bought our new a/c last year there was a fee if we wanted to use a credit card and when I bought my new bedroom furniture a couple of years ago the Amish store charged a fee. We simply wrote a check for the both items and we always carry cash  for restaurants if when we get there we find out they will charge a fee. They are making a killing on them. The banks only charge 2-2.5% and the stores are charging customers 3-4%. It really ads up on big purchases.

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Business owners also pay a fee to each CC company to use their cards...Mastercard, Visa, Discovery, etc... each charge their own fee.

That is why some places will not accept certain cards....they didn't buy into using them. They are called accessment fees.

Often the fees are higher for online purchases and less in person.

In addition, the cc company gets a % of each transaction.

They are not making a killing.  Most merchants lose money on CC purchases, but they count on CC purchasing in higher amounts more often to make up for it.

It works for bigger busy businesses, but hurts small businesses.

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@Meowingkitty 

WOW!    I put a charge on my VISA today for a garage door repair.   Just looked at my computer receipt...and there was NO surcharge... 

I also shop a lot at Ross, Fry's, Target and Walmart...and they don't, either. 

Maybe it's because I am within the city limits????  di

[JeanLouiseFinch]

We have also experienced the additional fees passed onto us when using credit card sometimes.  For small businesses especially, I can understand why it's a hardship for them to absorb all the fees.  For the customers, it's just a little extra, so I don't necessarily mind it.  We use one credit card for everything outside of writing a couple of checks a month.  That credit card pays us a substantial annual rebate so on the charges with those extra fees, it's a wash, but there are far more fee free purchases so we're still coming out ahead.  I also use rebate sites, when I can, when shopping online, so there's a little more for us as well that would help offset a fee charged somewhere else.  

[meallen616]

My dentist has been doing this for over three years!

[geezerette]

It's getting confusing around here.  

Some places will take anything.  Some will not accept checks, now some will charge a fee (sometimes a hefty percentage) for using either debit or credit card.  Some will not accept cash.

My vet's card policy changed at the beginning of the new year, and now charges a higher fee for debit/credit transactions than my rewards so I'm back to writing them a check every month.

My electric company charges a fee for everything except auto payments from a bank account, so they get a check in the mail.  I drop another utility payment off in person since I go by the office regularly.

Just when I was getting used to paying by card, I now am back to carrying cash, credit, and sometimes checkbook.  Sheesh.