This is really upsetting me (Page 3): Credit cards have been taking approx 3% from charges to merchants since close to the beginning of time. Anyone not knowing this simply hasn’t been...

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Credit cards have been taking approx 3% from charges to merchants since close to the beginning of time. Anyone not knowing this simply hasn’t been paying attention. Years ago, many merchants would allow a discount for using cash. Now, not so many except for some gas stations.

Dannj

The business is providing a service to the customer by accepting a credit card so why shouldn’t they pass along the fee? It’s a cost of doing business just as much as utilities, rent, supplies, employment, etc.. In fact it’s the only cost of doing business the customer has complete control over.

Rileychas Loc: San Diego, California

Where I live in San Diego some businesses, mostly food service, are adding 4% as a line item on checks and openly stating it is to cover the increased mandatory minimum wages imposed by the state.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Dannj wrote:

The business is providing a service to the customer by accepting a credit card so why shouldn’t they pass along the fee? It’s a cost of doing business just as much as utilities, rent, supplies, employment, etc.. In fact it’s the only cost of doing business the customer has complete control over.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

People are complaining that some things cost more when "shopping" at a grocery store on-line.
They don't realize that the store has to hire additional people to do the "shopping" (item gathering) for you.
Is the store supposed to eat that expense?
Or should they raise store prices to cover that added expense and provide a discount for coming into the store yourself to do the shopping....

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

ImageCreator wrote:

In our area some businesses are adding 4% to your bill if you use a credit card. Just today my dog g***mer has joined that group. I thanked her for screwing her customers. I told her her tip would be 4% less. I’m no longer doing business with those businesses that screw me over. Not sure if this is a nationwide trend or just here in liberal sucking California.
Has anyone else seen this practice?

Instead of complaining ask for a 4% discount if you pay in cash! Most stores have factored the credit card fees into their charges.

Canisdirus

You pay for the convenience...it's a choice.

Costs are always passed along...or the business simply disappears.

Why I chuckle when I hear folks saying corporate taxes need to go up...they don't pay them...you do.
The govt. certainly knows this...it's a canard.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Canisdirus wrote:

You pay for the convenience...it's a choice.

Costs are always passed along...or the business simply disappears.

Why I chuckle when I hear folks saying corporate taxes need to go up...they don't pay them...you do.
The govt. certainly knows this...it's a canard.

Vlemasters

When I had my business open I should have charged for credit card usage because it cost me several hundreds of dollars each time a customer used a credit card.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

The lady that cuts my hair charges 4% if you pay by credit card, I simply pay cash.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Linda From Maine wrote:

Willful ignorance is sad to witness.

Best answer so far. Ignorance has reached epidemic proportions in the country. Pity that person to whom it was aimed probably has no idea what you mean.

BebuLamar

Rileychas wrote:

Where I live in San Diego some businesses, mostly food service, are adding 4% as a line item on checks and openly stating it is to cover the increased mandatory minimum wages imposed by the state.

This part is BS. They should simply increase the price of the food.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

BebuLamar wrote:

This part is BS. They should simply increase the price of the food.

Exactly. The increased price would be more acceptable than adding a surcharge to the tab. Some businesses just seem to have a knack for pissing off their customers!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Jim Plogger wrote:

Exactly. The increased price would be more acceptable than adding a surcharge to the tab. Some businesses just seem to have a knack for pissing off their customers!

And some customers simply can't accept the way a business does business.......

Or is deciding to pay cash to avoid a card surcharge too complicated.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Longshadow wrote:

And some customers simply can't accept the way a business does business.......

Or is deciding to pay cash to avoid a card surcharge too complicated.

This wasn't an issue of cash or credit card. It was 4% added, cash or credit, to cover the cost of increased wages. There is a simpler way to do this. Raise the price of the food 4%.