Body shop says they have to charge me 3% if I use my credit card to pay for everything?....
03-29-2004, 07:18 AM
#11
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VISA/MC bylaws clearly state that this is not allowed by merchants
Call their bank and/or MC/VISA and complain of this practice. It is a cost of business. They cannot surcharge people that want to pay by credit card. End of story.
Yes, I am experienced in this stuff. I use to run a merchant services portfolio at a financial institution.
Yes, I am experienced in this stuff. I use to run a merchant services portfolio at a financial institution.
03-29-2004, 07:19 AM
#12
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Yes, my body shop is the same way, and only recently started accepting credit cards at all. I just
write them a check or bring cash. Ideally, you should have just signed over the checks to the body shop, but since you can't do that now, just write them a check. It's not that abnormal for typically cash businesses to pass the credit card fees on to the customer.
03-29-2004, 07:20 AM
#13
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The way things have gone so far, I would ONLY pay by credit card!
Handing them cash (or check, money order, etc.) is a get out of jail free card for them. So far you've been unhappy with the timeliness of the work, the quality of the work, and who knows what else in the next two months. At least if you charge it, you have the CC company between them and you. If you are dissatisfied at any point over the next 2 months, you have the option of disputing the charges. The CC company withholds the funds until the body shop makes good on their work.
To answer your question...I have seen some places offer a "cash discount". The CC company does impose a charge to the establishment accepting the CC cards, and it's typically in the 2-3% range (AMEX is higher).
To answer your question...I have seen some places offer a "cash discount". The CC company does impose a charge to the establishment accepting the CC cards, and it's typically in the 2-3% range (AMEX is higher).
03-29-2004, 07:22 AM
#14
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Most decent shops have a lifetime warranty on work. I know that I brought my car back a year later
and the shop had no problem fixing a few things without question. I suppose it depends on the shop, but I have no problem handing cash/check over to the shop I use.
03-29-2004, 07:22 AM
#16
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Right, and I was told by VISA one time that if they have the little visa/mc icon up on their door or
by the cash register that they have to take the card for any amount and they are not allowed to charge anything extra.
03-29-2004, 07:24 AM
#18
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Heh, that might be a loophole that my shop uses, there is just a little sign saying they accept Visa
but that you pay the 3% surcharge. There are no stickers or anything anywhere else.
03-29-2004, 07:25 AM
#19
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Very Normal charges >>>>>>>>>Get a Bank Check instead
When a shop does less than a certain $$ amount monthly with MC\Visa they are charged between 2 - 5 % to process the charges.
They have every right to charge you that amount.
They don't HAVE to charge you, but they are paying that percentage to the cc company if they are below their minimum.
Just get a certified or Bank Check.
Even a cash advance on your CC card would cost less.
They have every right to charge you that amount.
They don't HAVE to charge you, but they are paying that percentage to the cc company if they are below their minimum.
Just get a certified or Bank Check.
Even a cash advance on your CC card would cost less.
03-29-2004, 07:33 AM
#20
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Yep, that's what I was told. If they put up the logo - universal acceptance. Alternatively, they
can put up their own policy -- like what your shop did.
I tried to buy my s2000 on my card to get the miles but the dealership didn't have the sticker
I tried to buy my s2000 on my card to get the miles but the dealership didn't have the sticker