Here's what I think: VISA and MC get away with fees here no other country allows. Retailers just get shafted (and you). Card lobbyists must earn their keep, I guess. The other thing is, if the sellers were already doing business before, considering the costs and prices, why would they now add a surcharge on top of it when not doing that previously? It's a price increase any way you look at it. At any rate, you can (I don't) use a debit card. Adding a fee to a debit card is illegal. There's no processing there, it's a straight bank transaction. Problem is, using your debit card opens you up to scammers getting straight into your bank account. There is little fraud protection as there is with a credit card. Why not get a money order or cashier's check? Whatever you do, talk to your retailer and see what they will accept. If they still want a processing fee, tell these crooks (that's what they would be then) to go to hell. Only credit cards (in the USA) have fees as such. It's a scam, and it's not like this in other countries. BTW, sending ppl checks is not a good idea. All your account info is on them.
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.
- ...
- 85 posts total
- 85 posts total