Are charges to use debit card lawful?

Aqueous12

Last evening I visited my local Chinese takeaway to pick up a curry I had
ordered. When I arrived I realised I had left home without cash. I asked
if I could pay using my Debit Card. (The bill was £8.20p)
I was told I could but there would be a fee of 50p for using my card.
I agreed to pay this fee thinking it would be a cheaper alternative to driving
home to retrieve my cash. At this point the assistant asked me to wait a
moment whilst she spoke to her boss. (She then went into the kitchen area
out of my sight). I genuinely thought the 50p fee was about to be waivered!
The assistant returned and informed me the fee would be £1 as my original
purchase was less than £10.
I told her I did not want the curry under those terms. I then left.
Are these charges lawful?

opinions4u

Yes it's legal.

Was there not an ATM nearby?

Aqueous12

No machines nearby.
We live in a village and it was around 9pm.

Roland_Sausage

debit or credit card

The chinese takeaway has to pay a fee every time someone uses their card.

I can see why they might not be so keen to swallow this cost for low value transactions. £1 does seem a bit steep though, I doubt it would cost them £1 on a transaction of £8.20.

SailorSam

I know you can be charged for a Credit card purchase but thought debit cards were as good as cash.

opinions4u

What is that poll all about?

My mind is messed up!

Gromitt

debit or credit card

£1 seems a lot, I'd say 50p was more reasonable for a debit card. That's what our local news agent charges.

But yes, it's legal as they told you upfront what the cost of using the card would be. It was then your decision whether or not you accepted the charge.

chattychappy

Ha ha ha call me cynical.. but the cost to the Chinese takeaway was probably greater than £1 because one is a cash transaction and the other er... went through the books!

Aqueous12

opinions4u. I'm really sorry about the poll!!!!
I'm new on this site (and not the brightest spark in the fire!!).
My first post was about my debit card grumble then suddenly this poll
thing appeared. I couldn't work out how to get rid of it!!!!!

opinions4u

Aqueous12 wrote: »

opinions4u. I'm really sorry about the poll!!!!
I'm new on this site (and not the brightest spark in the fire!!).
My first post was about my debit card grumble then suddenly this poll
thing appeared. I couldn't work out how to get rid of it!!!!!

No worries.

It made me laugh!

Aqueous12

opinions4u .....I've posted a reply to you (but I think I've even managed to
muck that up also).
Sorry again about the poll!!!!