AM/PM, ARCO As Well As All Convenience Stores In California State According to California Civil Code Section 1748.1, it is ILLEGAL to charge consumers a surcharge for the use of thier credit cards. This includes DEBIT cards which is notoriously LESS expensive for the merchant to accept! ALL CITIES California
California Residents need to wake up and smell the coffee! As a recent transplant from Massachusetts State, I found it odd when I moved here last September and found local and statewide merchants charging me just because I was using my debit/credit cards instead of paying by cash.
I began looking into it and YES, according to California Code Section 1748.1, it is illegal for them to do this. I'm not going to recite the entire code....just google 'California Civil Code Section 1748.1' and READ.
Aside from this fancy fact, Mastercard Worldwide's website dictates the same on thier Merchant agreement. It's a mad epidemic here in California.
...And to the those merchants who I have told this information to...I say again..."Buddy, its the cost of doing business...the credit card provider has increased your business by 50-80%..nothing is free" It's funny really most of these ignorant merchants say "Visa and Mastercard charges me 15 cents on the dollar..." Well, I say to them "What would you do if those priveledges were taken away, your stealing from your customers."
...And I say to the residents of California State "Stand up for your rights and DO NOT patronize stores that charge you." Didn't it ever occur to you that there is a reason why ALL stores don't gouge this way???
I don't know about you but I tip with good service...when I've been served. It's the merchant that should tip me for patronizing his store!
Tracy
California City, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
It Depends On How They Are Doing It
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, March 26, 2009
IF they "give" a discount "for cash" they are within their rights. If they are adding for charge cards. they are in violation of their CC agreements. Report them to the CC companies, visa, MC, A/E, whomever.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Are you confusing "discount for cash" as a "surcharge"?? They are not the same...LEGALLY speaking
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, March 26, 2009
As a person who lived out west for several years in Vegas, and driving in CA frequently, I used the stores you speak of.
I have seen a "discount for cash", but NEVER a surcharge for using credit or debit cards.
Please specify exactly how much the actual surcharge was, and how it was presented, and also tell us if it was on the in store purchases, or just at the gas pumps.
Ultimately, you have several choices.
1. Don't go to that store. Boycott them.
2. File a written complaint to state authorities.
3. Use the card, pay the "surcharge" and then file a dispute on the charge with the surcharge being the reason.
4. File a written complaint with Mastercard/Visa International
I have noticed that people will come on here and complain, but will rarely take any action that actually takes a little effort.
Stop whining. Take action.