Makro Belfast - credit card charge

meadowcat

I was in Makro Belfast today and they have a notice at the entrance saying that from tomorrow, 1st July you will be charged £1 if you pay by credit card and your spend is less than £100. No charge for debit card use.

dazb75

This is called a Merchant Violation and is illegal. The credit card companies want to know about it too:

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/contactus/merchantviolations.html

Print out that page and take it with you.

Update: it's illegal in the US. It the UK it's not so clear!

http://blog.itsecurityexpert.co.uk/2010/03/uk-shops-with-minimum-spend-or-charges.html

Golden_Anemone

dazb75 wrote: »

This is called a Merchant Violation and is illegal. The credit card companies want to know about it too:

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/contactus/merchantviolations.html

Print out that page and take it with you.

Update: it's illegal in the US. It the UK it's not so clear!

http://blog.itsecurityexpert.co.uk/2010/03/uk-shops-with-minimum-spend-or-charges.html

I think Ikea also make a small charge for CC payments and some companies charge a percentage above the cash cost (heating oil suppliers for example) so I doubt it's illegal here. People can always vote with their feet but imo they should tell the company the reason why to encourage them to review the policy.

drew2k9

no it isnt illegal at all here, and i think it is probably to try to put off those people who use it as a local supermarket rather than an actual cash and carry which is its purpose.

Peter-bfast

I think the companies get hit with a fee themselves when we use a credit card as opposed to debit. Thus why they either charge you a £1 or a percentage over the top.

A lot of companies, car showrooms etc. will charge you a small percentage of around 2% surcharge when using credit cards.

So I doubt myself that is illegal. It is a joke - but to be honest it's down to the credit card company more so than Makro.

Choco

All companies have to pay Credit Card companies a %

jnm21

I understand that companies pay a % (or maybe a fee) when I use c'card, but on the other hand, how much does it cost if I use cash? They have to have change (likely a cost) & pay a company to collect the cash.

C'card discounts anyone?

big_chris111

They kept that one quiet, no letter or flyer in Makro mail, just told at till when i went to pay