Credit card surcharge - unsure best way to handle?

born_again

Manxman_in_exile said:

I'm no expert in this area, but so long as you paid the deposit by credit card, aren't you covered by s75 protection in respect of the whole purchase anyway?  Then pay the balance by debit card.

However, I'm confused as to whether you have actually paid a deposit by credit card or not.  On the one hand you call it a "deposit", but on the other you describe it as "a reservation fee" for the dealer to hold the car to allow you to view it*.  Could you be a bit clearer as to what has actually happened?

If you end up paying extra I'd complain to your CC company.



*I'm assuming that a reservation fee is not refundable - you are paying the dealer to stop him selling it to someone before you - and would not necessarily qualify as a deposit on the purchase price.

CC co will not be interested in any surcharge for using a CC. That fall under Trading Standards in the UK.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/718812/payment-surcharges-guidance-update.pdf

Section 18.2 

Of course we are all assuming that OP is using a personal & not a business CC, which can be surcharged.

Aylesbury_Duck

You want the dealer to take a hit on card fees so you can get an interest-free loan for 18 months.  

If they don't want to do that, you'll have to look elsewhere.  You can't force them to sell the car to you by any method.

To add to the good advice about buying from miles away, take a good look at whether or not this car is affordable.  If you can't afford to buy it outright, or to take out a loan to buy it, have you got enough savings to pay for several hundred pounds of repairs that might crop up at the next MOT, or worse?

Undervalued

Manxman_in_exile said:

If you want to buy a used car on your CC to take advantage of free credit, then you are bonkers to even consider buying from an independent dealer who is "a long way from you" and who doesn't accept CC payments.

You only need to read a few threads on here to realise that buying a used car from a dealer who is "a long way from you" is rarely a good idea on its own - especially if it goes wrong and you haven't much money to play with.

Can't you find a decent car locally from someone who will take a CC?

Indeed.

Plus, that is all true even before you seriously annoy the dealer by forcing them to take a credit card without an extra fee against their will.

It is all very well sanding on your "rights" but if you do expect not one ounce of goodwill if you need to go back to them with any issues with the car.

Is it really worth it?