Community Chat

[geezerette]

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@Caffeina wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@Caffeina wrote:

If a merchant charges a credit card fee, I'll use my Visa debit card instead. Both Visa and Mastercard don't allow debit card fees.

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@Caffeina.  Must be a state regulation because they're sure doing it here.

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@Caffeina wrote:

If a merchant charges a credit card fee, I'll use my Visa debit card instead. Both Visa and Mastercard don't allow debit card fees.

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@Caffeina.  Must be a state regulation because they're sure doing it here.

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Not a state law. It's their policy and it's mentioned on both of their websites.

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Well, it might be policy somewhere, but some merchants and services are charging fees for using debit cards here.

[songbird]

All I know is that it's a pain not to be able to use my CC at my salon anymore.  I have to pay cash or a check.

[Pecky]

This has been going on for a few years where I live.  People thought it was illegal to do this, but it isn't.  They do have to let you know about the fee.  When they first started doing this it wasn't stated.  DH & I went to dinner and went to pay and there was 5% additional fee.  We asked about what that was for, and was told it was a fee for using a cc.  People were complaining and our lovely NY governor made it so it has to be stated on the menu. 

[beckyb1012]

I just made an online order to pickup later this afternoon at a restaurant.  Besides the tip and tax my receipt shows a service fee.  I used a gift card to this eatery.  

[roeroe1005]

Thanks to the gas app, I found a gas station where gas is a good 10-20 cents per gallon than other stations.  And cash and cc are the same price!  And to make it even sweeter, someone pumps my gas!!  I hit the jackpot! 

I should have bought a lottery ticket.  My new place to fill my gas tank and not too far from me.

Norther Westchester County, NY

[Mz iMac]

@geezerette  @Caffeina  @Kachina624 

It's allowed in N.J. also even though it's against the law.  The following article explains how retailers get around it........

Why You’re Still Being Surcharged on Your Debit Card in NJ

New Jersey's Law Limiting Credit Card Surcharges

In August 2023, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill that limits the surcharges merchants may charge their customers who choose to pay for goods or services using a credit card and requires disclosure of the surcharge.

Surcharges are not legal on debit cards, but, the issue is how the restaurant or store processes your purchase.

 

Debit Cards Can Be Used as Credit Cards

I asked a friend in the restaurant business about my debit card being charged a fee and this is what he told me.

Although surcharges are not legal on debit cards, most debit cards have a Visa or Mastercard logo and can be processed as a credit card, and that’s how businesses get around this. They simply process your debit card as a credit card.

 

What If I tell the Business the Card is a Debit Card?

Many businesses will say that they have a policy of charging the fees on any card -- credit or debit-- because they can't be sure which it is at the time of the transaction.

I'm sorry, but this seems like an obvious ploy to charge a fee even when the establishment isn't being charged one.

 

"If You Don't Like It, Pay Cash"

If you ask a New Jersey business about charging a fee on a debit card, they will say if you want to avoid it, you should pay cash.

The whole point of a debit card is to use a card that's the same as cash. If it is the same as cash, why can't I use it without a fee instead of cash?

Where it gets sticky is that some stores, when they accept debit cards, only accept them as credit cards — where you don’t need to enter a PIN to use the card. In those cases, any complaint that you were charged a fee for using a debit card probably won’t fly.

But you can file a complaint with the state’s Consumer Affairs office.

Perhaps we need a way of distinguishing by card number a debit card from a credit card that makes it immediately clear which is which to any merchant and eliminates the confusion and the fees.

SOURCE:  WFPG website.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Merchants are taking advantage of the inflationary trend to price gouge consumers and most will roll over and accept it.  Maybe revive checks?

I'm fighting with Waste Management, my garbage service.  They announced a "convenience" fee for using credit/debit cards.   So I did a direct online transfer from my bank and now they claim I owe them the fee.  I think not!  It didn't cost them a cent.

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That may not be true.  Many backs chargeva fee to process transactions on a business account.  While usually small there is a cost .

[Caffeina]

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@Sage04 wrote:
@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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Is yours one of those prepaid debit cards? Some of them do have their own fees. Mine is issued through my credit union without fees.

[Kachina624]

@Mz iMac.  Very interesting information.   Thanks.

[Kachina624]

@Caffeina.  My debit card is issued by my bank.