Hi big wazza., Yep I agree that stinks, Personally I would have refused the deal, If they would not accept Eftpos payment without the fee, well they can keep the goods, as that is not the way a business should operate, !   

The bank charges me a fee for every card transaction I take from customers so it's only fair that I pass these charges on bearing in mind my customers have the choice to pay by bank transfer, cheque or cash which do not attract any penalties. By the way our average invoice is around the $8,000.00 so transaction charges is substantial in $ terms.

Edit to add that I have no problems paying the same % rate the bank charges in any transaction I make with my credit card.

Bryan wrote:

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The bank charges me a fee for every card transaction I take from customers so it's only fair that I pass these charges on bearing in mind my customers have the choice to pay by bank transfer, cheque or cash which do not attract any penalties. By the way our average invoice is around the $8,000.00 so transaction charges is substantial in $ terms.

 

Edit to add that I have no problems paying the same % rate the bank charges in any transaction I make with my credit card.

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 Does that apply to Debit Cards as well Bryan (where the customer is using their own funds, not Credit ? )

I am not talking about Eftpos transactions, just the Debit Card which has your funds in the account?

From what I have read on this Wiki link it appears it is up to the merchant as to whether they charge you a debit card fee or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debit_card#Australia 

The customer must be informed of the charges at the time of purchase, see this consumer link;

http://www.visa.com.au/include/Consumer_Fact_Sheet_Surcharging2013.pdf 

This report by Choice for the NSW Fair Trading is interesting, see;

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/biz_res/ftweb/pdfs/About_us/Credit_card_surcharges_part1.pdf

In particular this section;

Surcharging opposed by card schemes

Unsurprisingly, most credit card schemes,  which opposed the payments system reforms, are also strongly opposed to

merchant surcharging. These fees directly impact on the likelihood that consumers will use their cards.

Visa thinks merchants should include the acceptance costs in their price, just as a shop does with other expenses such

as providing a car park or paying staff more on a Sunday, (even though not all customers drive, or shop on a Sunday).

One of the core tenets of the consumer experience is that the price of an item as advertised or on the price tag should be

 the actual price paid at the checkout, argues General Manager Chris Clark.

 This fundamental consumer protection has been recognised by governing bodies around the world.

If more merchants impose surcharges, it will unfairly penalise consumers at a time when they are already facing the challenges of a

difficult economy and increased cost of living expenses.

MasterCards opposition to surcharges is also fundamental our core issue is that surcharging passes the cost of

accepting payment onto consumers. And thats absolutely not fair, says David Masters, Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Affairs.

MasterCard argues that accepting card payments is a normal cost of doing business and shouldnt be separately charged.

 Merchants get a lot of benefits from cards that they dont get from cash or cheques. Obviously, instant payment and protection from credit

losses and fraud. And, when they accept a payment by card (as opposed to cash) the money goes straight into their account

without having to protect and transport it.

And the big difference the existence of credit cards provides merchants with sales they wouldnt get if people could only spend the cash they could carry in their wallet. Before credit cards as we know them today, the extension of credit was something retailers did themselves, that risk (fraud losses) is now carried by banks.

American Express also told us that it believes the costs of card payments are, like all other costs, already built into the cost of goods sold. And the card industry regularly points out that its main competitor cash has associated costs for retailers that are often ignored.

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We've met a couple of merchants who would have charged to use the credit card, but if you press "savings", not credit, there was no charge.

Big Wazza, you may find in some remote areas that there are no Eftpos facilities at all, you need to carry some cash for these occasions.

tsandsmere wrote:

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$12.60 and you have to use a card ???????

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I've often used my card for small purchases of around 10.00. Cash in the pocket is quickly spent. You think twice before using your card.

It is my money I've giving them being a debit card. Doesn't matter which way I give it to them.

Thanks David,

If the business is openly charging you the credit card fee, it would seem in essence that they should not be able to claim that charge as a bank expense to themselves as it is being passed on to the consumer.......hmmmmm.......curly one that one!

On the other hand, if the bank expense is disguised by them in their pricing, who would ever know, I would assume they could then claim it? 

About a year back, I used a Mastercard Debit Card (and made it quite clear it was) to pay for a caravan site at a Top Tourist Caravan Park at Dongara, WA.

They had a sign on their desk that they charged fees for using cards, and they added a charge to my site fees before I paid it.  We were tired at the time and didn't feel like going elsewhere.

I contacted Top Tourist headquarters when I returned home and they said they had no control over what the caravan park charged for card use it was their choice whether they did or not.