6% fee

Jolly_Roger

My local theatre now adds 6% to all debit and credit card transactions, although adds no charge for paying in cash. To me, this seems really high. Do debit and credit cards companies really charge theatres such high charges when customers pay using their cards? And why such a wack for debit cards?
The theatre, in Dartford, was transferred from the Council to a private operator in April. I don't recall the Council having to charge for card use ever!

everyotheridwasused

Seems very high. In our business, the credit card fee is less than 2% and debit cards is about 17p per transaction if I recall correctly.

It does depend on the amount of business that they put through the credit card machine, but I've never heard of a rate as high as 6%

LongTermLurker

6% is extortionate and hardly justified.

Glad I'm not cultured...

lisyloo

It is high, but why don't you simply pay by cash or cheque?

duggie1982

Some people prefer to pay by card (like me) plus cheque? most companies wont take them anymore.

Jolly_Roger

Because it is easier to pay using a debit card. I was horrified to see the cashier at the theatre telling old people where they could find the nearest cash point. It seemed we were stepping back 10 years. In virtually every shop I go to, I am offered cash back, since the store, I presume, gets charged by the bank for banking loads of cash.
It looks to me as though the theatre is deliberately overcharging on cards because they know most people prefer the convenience of paying with plastic and don't walk around with £100 on them to buy tickets. I can't remember the last time I used cash to buy tickets.
There is a similar situation regarding cinemas. If I save them money by booking my tickets using a debit card and printing my own ticket at home, I pay for the luxury. Surely they should give me a discount for saving them money? Am I missing something here, too?

withnell

If it's an independent, it will get charged much higher fees than a large chain - 2% is on the low end of the charging scale. Remember they also have to pay for the card equipment and phone line rental.