Are credit card surchages legal?

BaritoneUK

Hi. It is annoying when you see a good deal on something and when you to the shop and by it, and wip out your 0% APR credit card (so you avoid those horrible overdraught fees) the sales assistant says that they will have to add a credit card surcharge of anywhere between 1.5 and 3% on the total price. They say that they will not charge on a debit card. I do understand that they have to pay between 1 and 3% (more on AMEX) to the VISA or MCARD but why do I have to pay it? Is this legal? Surely this goes against the shops contract with VISA or MCARD? Does anyone know? Does anyone know a way round this?

Galstonian

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