Credit Card Surcharges?
Author: Guest
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 10:42 am
Post subject: Surcharge
I've read in many places that MasterCard and Visa merchant agreements forbid merchants from levying a surcharge for credit card use. Is this really true? Can anyone point me to a definitive statement of this policy on a Vias or MasterCard website, or some other reliable online source?
Author: Eugene
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:13 am
Post subject:
Yes, it's true, but I can't point you to a reliable source. Look at V/MC's websites.
A funny loophole in those policies is that even though merchants cannot impose surcharges for using credit cards, nothing prohibits them from giving discounts for using cash.
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
Author: Sir Charge-a-lot
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:39 am
Post subject: Credit Card Surcharges?
I've searched all over the V/MC websites, to no avail. Everyone seems to "know" that this is true, but documentation is, so far, impossible to find. visa.com says to complain to your own credit-card-issuing bank if you run into this problem. mastercard.com has a "surcharge" complaint option that you can check-off on an automated complaint page, but they apparently do nothing to follow up, and the actual rule is nowhere to be found.
Such surcharges are common, and often are listed right next to the V or MC acceptance logos. I have complained to my Visa-issuing bank, and to MasterCard via their website, and it has had absolutely no effect.
Author: Verne
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:00 pm
Post subject: Credit Card Surcharges?
My utility company charges a fee for payments by credit card. There's no fee to pay by check - even over the phone.
Author: Eugene
Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 12:00 am
Post subject:
Sir Charge-a-Lot, I have never seen any notices about surcharges on credit card transactions anywhere I shop, even though I also charge-a-lot. What do those notices say? What store(s) did you see them in?
I've seen notices about minimum purchase amounts that can be charged to credit cards at some stores. I believe those restictions are also against the merchant agreement terms. Although V/MC might have allowed that, or just don't enforce the clause, as it is increasingly unprofitable for merchants to allow small amounts to be charged.
Verne, a fee to pay by credit also surprises me. What is the utility company you are talking about?
Guest, you probably need to talk to a bank's merchant services department, and maybe ask them for a merchant agreement, or just ask them this question.
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 10:42 am
Post subject: Surcharge
I've read in many places that MasterCard and Visa merchant agreements forbid merchants from levying a surcharge for credit card use. Is this really true? Can anyone point me to a definitive statement of this policy on a Vias or MasterCard website, or some other reliable online source?
Author: Eugene
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:13 am
Post subject:
Yes, it's true, but I can't point you to a reliable source. Look at V/MC's websites.
A funny loophole in those policies is that even though merchants cannot impose surcharges for using credit cards, nothing prohibits them from giving discounts for using cash.
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
Author: Sir Charge-a-lot
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 11:39 am
Post subject: Credit Card Surcharges?
I've searched all over the V/MC websites, to no avail. Everyone seems to "know" that this is true, but documentation is, so far, impossible to find. visa.com says to complain to your own credit-card-issuing bank if you run into this problem. mastercard.com has a "surcharge" complaint option that you can check-off on an automated complaint page, but they apparently do nothing to follow up, and the actual rule is nowhere to be found.
Such surcharges are common, and often are listed right next to the V or MC acceptance logos. I have complained to my Visa-issuing bank, and to MasterCard via their website, and it has had absolutely no effect.
Author: Verne
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:00 pm
Post subject: Credit Card Surcharges?
My utility company charges a fee for payments by credit card. There's no fee to pay by check - even over the phone.
Author: Eugene
Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 12:00 am
Post subject:
Sir Charge-a-Lot, I have never seen any notices about surcharges on credit card transactions anywhere I shop, even though I also charge-a-lot. What do those notices say? What store(s) did you see them in?
I've seen notices about minimum purchase amounts that can be charged to credit cards at some stores. I believe those restictions are also against the merchant agreement terms. Although V/MC might have allowed that, or just don't enforce the clause, as it is increasingly unprofitable for merchants to allow small amounts to be charged.
Verne, a fee to pay by credit also surprises me. What is the utility company you are talking about?
Guest, you probably need to talk to a bank's merchant services department, and maybe ask them for a merchant agreement, or just ask them this question.
CardRatings.com is the most comprehensive source for comparing credit card offers. Please visit CardRatings.com to view the best rated credit cards!
posted by CardRatings.com at 10:06 PM
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