[retiredguy123]

Recently, some merchants are charging about 3 percent of their bill to the customer for the privilege of accepting a credit card payment. Typically, the merchant has a contract with the bank to pay a small percentage for each credit card transaction processed by the bank. For this fee, the merchant receives the following benefits:

1. Since the credit card transaction is a loan, the bank assumes the risk of collecting the amount due from the customer. However, the merchant receives the amount of the transaction in full from the bank, even if the customer defaults on the loan.

2. The merchant is able to benefit from an increase in business because more people are able to pay the merchant by using a credit card, instead of cash. Also, the merchant benefits from any marketing activity the bank conducts to promote the credit card and any rewards program offered.

Now, some merchants want to receive these benefits, but they don't want to pay for them. Rather, they want you, the customer, to pay the entire cost to the bank for these benefits. In my opinion, this is a ripoff, and I refuse to pay for the merchant's benefits. If they want the benefits, then they should pay for them. I choose to pay cash instead.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Recently, some merchants are charging about 3 percent of their bill to the customer for the privilege of accepting a credit card payment. Typically, the merchant has a contract with the bank to pay a small percentage for each credit card transaction processed by the bank. For this fee, the merchant receives the following benefits:

1. Since the credit card transaction is a loan, the bank assumes the risk of collecting the amount due from the customer. However, the merchant receives the amount of the transaction in full from the bank, even if the customer defaults on the loan.

2. The merchant is able to benefit from an increase in business because more people are able to pay the merchant by using a credit card, instead of cash. Also, the merchant benefits from any marketing activity the bank conducts to promote the credit card and any rewards program offered.

Now, some merchants want to receive these benefits, but they don't want to pay for them. Rather, they want you, the customer, to pay the entire cost to the bank for these benefits. In my opinion, this is a ripoff, and I refuse to pay for the merchant's benefits. If they want the benefits, then they should pay for them. I choose to pay cash instead.

Isn't that the subject of this thread? Restaurant charging urge fee of 2 1/2 to 3%

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Isn't that the subject of this thread? Restaurant charging urge fee of 2 1/2 to 3%

Partially, but that thread is about restaurants.

[Toymeister]

If 2 1/2 to 3% is too much is 1/2 to 1% low enough?

If so use Navy Federal CU for 2% cash back on everything, every day of every month. Veterans qualify for membership

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Recently, some merchants are charging about 3 percent of their bill to the customer for the privilege of accepting a credit card payment. Typically, the merchant has a contract with the bank to pay a small percentage for each credit card transaction processed by the bank. For this fee, the merchant receives the following benefits:

Most retail stores are well under 3%. 3% is the going rate in the hospitality business, which has higher rate, for a couple reasons ... highly chance of fraud & almost everyone uses "Reward Cards", which have a higher rate.

& also keep in mind, most every CC transactions has 5 parties. The Merchant, the customer, the transaction company (there are only a few of these), the bank & the CC servicer. Everyone is getting a piece of the action.

[Arctic Fox]

I just paid my Sumter County tax and the "convenience charge" for using a credit card would have been 3.95%

[Maker]

Here is a good summary of the law... Florida Credit Card Surcharge Laws (2026) — Rules, Caps & Cash Discount | CheckMyFees.com

Credit card surcharge
Legal — former ban struck down in court

Maximum surcharge
3% (card network cap — no enforceable state cap)

Debit & prepaid cards
Never — prohibited nationwide by federal rules and card networks, in every state

Cash discount / dual pricing
Legal — permitted in all 50 states with a compliant structure

Disclosure
ALL merchants — Card network rules: post notice at store entry and point of sale, show the surcharge as a separate line item on every receipt, and give your processor 30 days' notice before starting.

FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS (restaurants, hotels, caterers, food trucks, etc.)
Additional requirements effective July 1, 2026 under Fla. Stat. §509.214 (SB 606): disclose the surcharge amount/percentage and its purpose on menus, websites, apps, and written contracts in font no smaller than menu item text; note the charge on the face of the bill; and itemize the surcharge as a separate receipt line. Enforcement by Florida DBPR.

[Michael G.]

All merchants have to display by law said credit card changes so each
customer needs to know when and what is being charged before paying any bill.

I am so guilty of not paying attention for these charges.

[shut the front door]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Recently, some merchants are charging about 3 percent of their bill to the customer for the privilege of accepting a credit card payment. Typically, the merchant has a contract with the bank to pay a small percentage for each credit card transaction processed by the bank. For this fee, the merchant receives the following benefits:

1. Since the credit card transaction is a loan, the bank assumes the risk of collecting the amount due from the customer. However, the merchant receives the amount of the transaction in full from the bank, even if the customer defaults on the loan.

2. The merchant is able to benefit from an increase in business because more people are able to pay the merchant by using a credit card, instead of cash. Also, the merchant benefits from any marketing activity the bank conducts to promote the credit card and any rewards program offered.

Now, some merchants want to receive these benefits, but they don't want to pay for them. Rather, they want you, the customer, to pay the entire cost to the bank for these benefits. In my opinion, this is a ripoff, and I refuse to pay for the merchant's benefits. If they want the benefits, then they should pay for them. I choose to pay cash instead.

This needed a whole new thread over and above the op 12 posts in the other thread.

[biggamefish1]

Something that is stuck on the bottom of our sandal since COVID, among so many other shrinkflation items at our restaurants, who are making bank now

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Maker

Here is a good summary of the law... Florida Credit Card Surcharge Laws (2026) — Rules, Caps & Cash Discount | CheckMyFees.com

Credit card surcharge
Legal — former ban struck down in court

Maximum surcharge
3% (card network cap — no enforceable state cap)

Debit & prepaid cards
Never — prohibited nationwide by federal rules and card networks, in every state

Cash discount / dual pricing
Legal — permitted in all 50 states with a compliant structure

Disclosure
ALL merchants — Card network rules: post notice at store entry and point of sale, show the surcharge as a separate line item on every receipt, and give your processor 30 days' notice before starting.

FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS (restaurants, hotels, caterers, food trucks, etc.)
Additional requirements effective July 1, 2026 under Fla. Stat. §509.214 (SB 606): disclose the surcharge amount/percentage and its purpose on menus, websites, apps, and written contracts in font no smaller than menu item text; note the charge on the face of the bill; and itemize the surcharge as a separate receipt line. Enforcement by Florida DBPR.

That's an excellent summary ... where did you get it?