What a racket

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

I received our notices to renew our auto registrations. I opened them up and there was a big "Scan Here" to speed up the process on each notice. I took the bait and scanned one.

Iwas instantly taken to the page and my car's information was there and then all I had to do was pay. There was a choice to pay from my bank, to pay by credit card and to pay by debit card.

Since we've been having some discussions here about which way is safest. I remembered that a few states had their motor vehicle data hacked, so I decided to pay by credit card.

I put in all the cc info and paid and the sum came up with a charge of $3.50 more than the registration cost. There was a line on the bottom of the page that said that this was a "Processing Fee." OK, I shouldn't have rushed into paying so quickly. I noticed that this fee is applied to BOTH credit card and debit card payments. It did not say that bank payments would be charged, but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't be...I don't know since I didn't put in my bank info to pay.

For both me and my husband the state received an extra $7.00. Ridiculous to charge so much to do this. No wonder they included the urgent notice to "Scan Here" to pay online.

cjm61 · ‎09-07-2014

@Mindy D This is common practice since it's the CC companies charging. When I worked in a department of the school district, I was the person selling items. When someone purchased using a CC we were charged a percentage of the sale. So, either I could up the price to cover the charge or do as you did, have a fee added to the sale.

Some places I have been say CASH only because of this. Others I have seen state a minimum sale of $5 if using a CC. This is due to the fee's. Most likely it is not the State receiving that $7.

I don't like it either but it is the way it works for many retailers. If you don't see the fee, you are still paying for it with a higher price.

catter70 · ‎10-11-2017

That's probably to recoup what they have to pay the credit card company. Some places are starting to charge extra if you use a credit card. My vet has stated that practice.and some eating places

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Mindy D. If you think that's bad (my state does the same thing), try getting a copy of something like a birth or marriage certificate. States have contracted with commercial firms to provide these documents and they charge something like $25+ for what used to be a nominal fee.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

RetRN · ‎10-01-2013

@catter70, I have noticed that also. I don't understand why people are so against using cash or checks.

teganslaw · ‎03-11-2010

We used a debit card to renew our auto registration and weren't charged an extra fee. This was 5 months ago, so maybe the extra fee is something new.

RetRN,

Many people no longer use checks, . When everything is computerized, why deal with checks? Also, a lot of pople don't carry cash for safety reasons. Too easy to be robbed.

"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog."

Mark Twain

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@catter70 wrote:
That's probably to recoup what they have to pay the credit card company. Some places are starting to charge extra if you use a credit card. My vet has stated that practice.and some eating places

@catter70 @They were charging the fee to both credit and debit and I don't know if they were charging a fee for bank funds, which I guess is similar to a check.

BunSnoop · ‎05-22-2010

State of Illinois has been doing that for several years when we renew the stickers for our license plates, renew our licenses, etc. I think they call it a "convenience fee".

One of our favorite restaurants has a sign by the cash register that states if you pay by cash, rather than credit card, they will deduct 5% from the bill. It mentions why give the credit cards 5% when you can have it instead in your wallet.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

My state uses a third party when paying online and there is an extra nominal fee however you decide to pay.

To avoid any extra fees you either have to mail in a check directly to the MVD, or go to the local office and pay in person.

ManyMeows · ‎01-11-2014

@RetRN wrote:
@catter70, I have noticed that also. I don't understand why people are so against using cash or checks.

🖊 I rarely ever write a check, but for renewing auto registrations and driver's licenses, and a handful of other things I still do. Otherwise it's cash or debit card.