Not unusual at all (anymore). I worked for a U.S. based audio manufacturer for several years and they did it on stuff they sold direct, like parts, accessories, B-stock and open-box audio gear, etc. It’s simple economics…ALL costs, regardless of type or source, must be covered SOMEWHERE in the financial chain of custody; more and more companies are passing it through to consumers, which U.S. law provides for. Then again, we’d also suggest to customers (i.e. over the phone) that they could send us a personal check as an alternative. Of course, that’d slow their order for a few days while their check cleared, but a surprising number of people did exactly that…mailed us a check. Kinda crazy.
Dealers charging a fee for using a credit card
I’m wondering if this is the new trend of dealers charging customers anywhere between 3 and 4% fee on the total sale if paying by credit card? I was going to buy a brand new item online for 5K, but stopped dead in my tracks when I found I was going to have to pay a 3.9% fee for using my Mastercard! The fee would have been almost $200.00! Since this dealer has mostly online sales, it sounds like a big money grab to me. Between the 5K price, add $275.00 for shipping and 200 for paying by CC plus sales tax of $300.00, it would have cost me $5775.00. I cancelled before I clicked send. I called the dealer and was told that is the cost of doing business on the internet, so I basically told them to pound sand.
Two weeks ago, I had all new brakes and rotors replaced on my 2020 Tucson with only 22K miles on it. The bill was $1375 and I paid with my card. When I got the statement, there was a CC fee of $37.00 added to the bill. I went back to the Hyundai dealer and was told all businesses do this and he pointed to the sign. I told them I saw the sign but paid with my DEBIT CARD, not a CC. I was told it didn’t matter. When I asked how many transactions were in cash, the service writer told me one out of fifteen pay in cash. This makes me sick to my stomach.
I would like to hear from others who have dealt with this.
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- 85 posts total
- 85 posts total