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In reply to the discussion: Completely f'd up business practice I just found out about [View all]Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)Consumers fail to appreciate that in addition to any cardholder fees, interest, etc. they may pay to use their cards, merchants pay a fee of up to as much as 6% to the credit card company.
This is why I have no opposition to businesses that offer a discount for cash or check. They take more risk with a check but at least with cash there are no other fees associated with it.
The problem is most credit card companies have policies that prohibit their merchants from offering discounts for cash or charging the customer extra because they use a credit card. They are the ultimate usurpers.
If I purchase a good or a service and my choice of payment (which may give me protections such as defective merchandise) causes the merchant to incur additional cost above what someone paying cash would, I see nothing wrong with me paying extra for the convenience of using the credit card.
That's why when I am consuming services I try to pay cash (e.g. eating at a restaurant, etc.) but use a credit card for goods (to get the credit card protection). But I would have no problem if the merchant charged me a surcharge of 2-3% for using the credit card.
I pay no fees to my credit card issuers. I don't pay an annual fee and I never pay interest. They hate me and have tried a few times to come up with some lame charge that I reject. I have told them repeatedly they are already collection 5-6% on every purchase I make. That is enough.