Clinton Cards refused to sell me stamps if I paid via credit card

Rachel_Sharp

Hello

Yesterday I went to Clinton Cards to buy stamps and they refused to sell them to me because I wanted to pay by credit card.

I wanted to buy 12 1st class stamps at £7.20 but I was told not by credit card as they do not make any money and the card machine costs too much. After looking on Royal Mail site they advertise for retailers to make money by selling stamps so I know that that was untrue. I went to sperdrug and they were more than happy to sell them to me.

I rarely carry cash and I am shocked by clintons.

Are they allowed to do that? There was no minimum spend or anything.

halibut2209

Short answer is yes. They can refuse to serve anyone for pretty much any reason. But it's definitely poor customer service though. Their loss in the end as you will be less likely to visit them in the future.

Fosterdog

A shop can refuse to sell whatever they want to whoever they want. They don't even have to give a reason.

It does seem very petty but there is nothing you can do about it

arcon5

After looking on Royal Mail site they advertise for retailers to make money by selling stamps so I know that that was untrue.

Not sure what your thought process here is but not sure what this proves?! Their website is hardly going to read 'retailers.. Sell our stamps and make no money'.

Profit margins on stamps are very very small. So that 30p they pay to process your cc payment may well wipe out their profit.

So are they allowed to do this? Well of course they are! You as a consumer do not have a RIGHT to buy goods a retailer is selling so of course they can set out terms and conditions relating to the sale of their goods.

visidigi

Are they allowed. Yes of Course.

The problem with Clintons I would expect is that given they have gone under once they know that you can buy the stamps elsewhere, so they aren't a unique provider, therefore if it makes them a loss, they aren't going to sell it.

The new owners have probably instigated measure to ensure they actually make money on a sale..

gayleanne

I have actually been refused stamps and a postal order, in the Main Post Office, if I am paying by credit card, it is ok if I pay by debit card BUT NOT CREDIT, they said that it is because stamps and postal orders are classed as cash, and you can not get cash with credit.

NO I HAVE STILL NOT WORKED OUT WHAT THEY MEAN!!

visidigi

I think they are indicating that it would be a cash based transaction - equivalent to taking money out of an ATM on a credit card - the same thing happens when you use a credit card at a bureau de change, they put it through as a cash a transaction, resulting in an additional fee - they do this to avoid being hit with the handling charge.

wealdroam

And just to add to what Visidigi said, if it does count as a cash advance, then you will pay interest on that 'loan' from the date of the purchase.

mattyprice4004

Rachel_Sharp wrote: »

Hello

Yesterday I went to Clinton Cards to buy stamps and they refused to sell them to me because I wanted to pay by credit card.

I wanted to buy 12 1st class stamps at £7.20 but I was told not by credit card as they do not make any money and the card machine costs too much. After looking on Royal Mail site they advertise for retailers to make money by selling stamps so I know that that was untrue. I went to sperdrug and they were more than happy to sell them to me.

I rarely carry cash and I am shocked by clintons.

Are they allowed to do that? There was no minimum spend or anything.

How do you know how much the card machine costs them per transaction? Do you have one yourself?

No, I thought not. Perhaps do some homework before spouting off about something you don't know about.

halibut2209

matty, have you actually read the OP? She states that Clintons told her it cost too much. Your reply is very rude and unnecessary.

visidigi

halibut2209 wrote: »

matty, have you actually read the OP? She states that Clintons told her it cost too much. Your reply is very rude and unnecessary.

Nearly all his replies are rude, and a good proportion are unnecessary as its saying the same as before, just ruder.