Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Credit cards were charging us every year for the card, Now it's free(?). They charge the seller, so you pay anyway.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Willful ignorance is sad to witness.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Gas stations have had a cash vs. card option for many years. Usually between six and ten cents more for cards.
I wonder how the dynamic will change when paper money is done away with and everything is electronic credits?

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

This is happening everywhere 4% seems high as most credit card company’s are between 2.5 and 3% but then again it’s California, the remedy is don’t pay with a credit card pay with cash.

srron Loc: Courtice,On.

I use cash all the time hoping to at least delay the coming of digital currency, which isn't actually currency but is software, which is programable.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

It is a widespread business trend to add on (disguise) 2 - 5% to the bottom line. This began years ago with the tip jar. When I saw this, I thought wait a minute, I’m paying for a coffee and donut to go but I’m expected to tip them for handing it to me. Now, the media has brainwashed me to believe that counter people are so grossly underpaid that it is my tip that results in their having a living wage. When I pay for my coffee and donut now and they turn the point of sale screen to chose a $1, 2 or 3 dollar tip, I always tip more than $1. I don’t want their children to go to school hungry because of me.

cdayton

Anyone who pays to have their dog groomed, should be able to afford the extra 4%. I never complain about what it costs to have my Jag (car, that is) washed, but I’m liberal.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

This is not new. It mostly depends on the establishment. Some bake credit card fees, which range from 3-5% I believe, into pricing so they don’t need the up charge. Frequently, gas stations show a cash price and a credit price. I have seen these practices in Connecticut for about 30 years.

Stephan G

A necessary business decision is a rather difficult and conservative move for someone working hard to meet the needs. Seldom a practice.

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

Many places will give a cash, or debit card discount some it is 3 to 5 % because they have to pay it. I don't like paying taxes and would rather that the price on the shelf reflected the total cost and it would not bother me as much. Most places do that by adding whatever the cost of credit card use is. When someone pays cash, check, or debit card they make an additional 3-5%. Credit card companies can charge a yearly fee for using their card or hope that you pay the minimum amount so they make interest. Most of my tips are when on the rare occasion I eat out and give in cash to the individual not on a credit card. As far as dog grooming I bought the industry-style clippers, and learnd how to do the job. That paid for the clippers and scissors in a short time.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Amazing how that works, eh?

Vendors must either eat the card fee or pass it on.
I'll ask a Ma & Pa store which card they prefer, as the charge may be lower for one card.
(It varies between about 1.3% to 3.5% depending on the card.)
It does eat into their profit on the sale.

Red6

Not sure why it has taken you so long to discover this practice. Credit card companies have been charging business owners 3-4% for years to process their credit card purchases. Now that inflation and other factors have raised the costs of doing business, owners of these businesses are forced to recover these costs whenever possible. I have been seeing this for several years with many businesses, including local governments for car registrations, property taxes etc. My guess is that many businesses you are dealing with are doing it and not telling you or raising prices overall to cover it.

I see it more as a capitalistic business practice than any liberal thing. It is business owners recovering their costs of doing business and passing it on to consumers. Is that not the mantra of good business? At least they are upfront and not just raising the costs overall. At least in this case, you can use a check or cash to offset and avoid the credit card cost. Debit cards can sometimes be used with lower or no costs.

Also, if California is so bad, why are you living there? Why live somewhere that you hate so much?

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I always use a gas company credit card for gas & get a discount. Better than cash or general purpose credit card.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Small businesses have been hit hard coming out of the pandemic shutdowns and dealing with sky-high inflation. I've taken the opposite tack and now tip significantly more than I used to.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States