Charge for using debit card payment

chocolatedownfall

I recently had a small job done at a garage. I was asked to pay the £40 in cash, but I asked to pay by debit card as I did not have cash. I was told that I would be charged £8 for this method of payment. Is that a little high? 

MattMattMattUK

chocolatedownfall said:

I recently had a small job done at a garage. I was asked to pay the £40 in cash, but I asked to pay by debit card as I did not have cash. I was told that I would be charged £8 for this method of payment. Is that a little high? 

It is not high, it is illegal, but I suspect that they do not care. 

Either that or it was done "for cash" as they would not charge VAT/pay income tax and just pocket the money £40>£48 would be the VAT on top. 

Mark_d

I would say that the charge is excessive

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3110/made

Is it illegal?  Yes - if you're using a consumer credit/debit card...but No if it you were using a business credit/debit card

Penguin_

Did you get a receipt? If so, is there £8 VAT on it?

chocolatedownfall

Penguin_ said:

Did you get a receipt? If so, is there £8 VAT on it?

No, the only receipt was the printout from the terminal 

la531983

Echo the above, you havent been charged a debit card fee, you have been charged VAT as by using a debit card the transaction will have to go through the books.  Either you misheard the reason, or they were crafty in the wording.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

Another to suggest they haven't charged you for using a debit card but it's £40 cash or £40+£8 VAT if paying by card.

You'd expect them to do it the other way around, i.e say the job is £48 and only £40 if you pay cash but if they are fiddling the VAT then their morals surrounding other things may well not be sound either. 

chocolatedownfall

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Hello OP

Another to suggest they haven't charged you for using a debit card but it's £40 cash or £40+£8 VAT if paying by card.

You'd expect them to do it the other way around, i.e say the job is £48 and only £40 if you pay cash but if they are fiddling the VAT then their morals surrounding other things may well not be sound either. 

Hello and thank you for your reply. I think you are right about their morals. There were other aspects of my experience with them which caused me to feel unease, I won’t be returning