Un-fee-lievable!

[phkrause]

https://secure.consumersunion.org/site/A...888z16c.app244a

[phkrause]

The interesting thing is, I asked and been told by merchants that we pay for services, that they pay nothing if we use a debit card instead of a credit card. My friend that owns a auto repair shop in Clinton, MA once told me that he pays a fee for people using a CC but if we use a DC he pays no fee's. So now these bailed out banks are going to charge us for using DCs???

[bonnie]

The interesting thing is, I asked and been told by merchants that we pay for services, that they pay nothing if we use a debit card instead of a credit card. My friend that owns a auto repair shop in Clinton, MA once told me that he pays a fee for people using a CC but if we use a DC he pays no fee's. So now these bailed out banks are going to charge us for using DCs???

Don't think this is true. More than once I have been asked by those I do regular business with if I would mind paying by check if purchase is small.

Went to buy my tabs at the DMV.They will not accept debit or CC because of the fees. It is cash or check.

Debit cards are offered as a service,beneficial to both bank and consumer.You are not forced to use one.

When any business loses profit in one area they will make up for it in another area.

I have pretty good fraud protection using my debit card,who pays for that. They are on the job 24/7

Or you can simply use checks or carry cash. I rarely use checks anymore but the last time I ordered I paid 28.00 for 2 boxes of checks. Think I would rather pay online and use my debit card

[Dottie]

I think that what happened, is that Congress told the banks that they must charge a smaller fee for each transaction, so it has been reduced, and they are trying to make up the difference by putting a monthly fee on the debit card.

[Dottie]

And the consumer can't win for losing.

[phkrause]

Don't think this is true.

Why would I make up a story??????? So far all that I've asked about this have told me they do not pay a fee for DC. They do pay for CC. I will call my friends Grand-daughter this week and double check to make sure. But I recall that everytime I went to pay he'd ask me if wanted to use DC or CC. And I asked him why? and he told me that he pays a fee if I use the card as a CC but not as a DC. And he did say there was no problem with checks, just that they took a number of days to clear. Whereas the DC was instant. I don't appreciate being told that what I said was not true, when there is no reason for me to lie, period.

And besides, just thought of this, if the banks are charging the merchants a fee, why charge DC users a fee also? Because as far as I know they don't as of yet charge CC users a fee, or do they?

[bonnie]

Originally Posted By: bonnie

Don't think this is true.

Why would I make up a story??????? So far all that I've asked about this have told me they do not pay a fee for DC. They do pay for CC. I will call my friends Grand-daughter this week and double check to make sure. But I recall that everytime I went to pay he'd ask me if wanted to use DC or CC. And I asked him why? and he told me that he pays a fee if I use the card as a CC but not as a DC. And he did say there was no problem with checks, just that they took a number of days to clear. Whereas the DC was instant. I don't appreciate being told that what I said was not true, when there is no reason for me to lie, period.

I did not say or imply you were lying. Simply that I have my doubts as to the accuracy of what you were told.There is a difference.

I know I have been asked if I would mind writing a check if it is for a small amount rather than using my debit card.

DMV just got thru refusing my debit card and telling me onlly cash or check as they do not want the fees.

I am going to buy a couple of surplus items from the cty courthouse in a couple of days.Same story,bring cash or checkbook,no debit or credit card.

The local hardware store does not accept debit cards for purchase amount under 10.00

[bonnie]

I think that what happened, is that Congress told the banks that they must charge a smaller fee for each transaction, so it has been reduced, and they are trying to make up the difference by putting a monthly fee on the debit card.

The consumer will always pay. No business is going to have forced reductions in fees and not make up for it one way or another.

Debit cards are a convenience that the consumer now thinks they have a right to demand FREE.

No one forces the consumer to accept a debit card.The consumer wants to force the provider to offer it free,aint going to happen.

When paint went from lead to latex the price rose dramatically as did the cost of disposing of paint cans.My husband did not absorb the cost.If he was painting for a homeowner,the homeowner paid,if it was a contractor he paid and then in turn passed it onto the homeowner or the price of the house.

It does cause less services and products to be consumed as only so much can be passed on until some can't or won't pay

[phkrause]

I did not say or imply you were lying. Simply that I have my doubts as to the accuracy of what you were told.There is a difference.

I know I have been asked if I would mind writing a check if it is for a small amount rather than using my debit card.

DMV just got thru refusing my debit card and telling me onlly cash or check as they do not want the fees.

I am going to buy a couple of surplus items from the cty courthouse in a couple of days.Same story,bring cash or checkbook,no debit or credit card.

The local hardware store does not accept debit cards for purchase amount under 10.00

When I lived in Mass the RMV never excepted DC or CC, but last year when I when in to get my new license they started allowing DC to pay, but not CC. So again not sure why, but can only think because they don't charge fees for DC. Anyway I will check with my source from Mass and double check and get back and let you know.

[Dr. Shane]

I don't think businesses have been allowed to pass these fees off to the client directly. They can either accept or not accept debit cards but do not have the option of charging the client the fees. Perhaps that is different from state to state. In Mexico however, a lot of business charge extra if the customer wants to use a debit card.