[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by djlnc

Hint: $1,000 is 10% of $10,000.

Yes it is, but I never said otherwise.

What I said was:

Originally Posted by Pugchief

The sad reality is that more and more merchants are tacking on a fee to use cards. It's understandable when you realize they are losing ~3% on every transaction, which over time really adds up. $10,000 in monthly volume means losing $3600+ each year.

Let's do the math: $10,000/month X 3% fee = $300/month
If we annualize that: $300/month X 12 months/year = $3600 each year

Looks like the math is good, no?

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Never pay for gas or anything else with a debit card. Stick that in the back of your wallet. Only use that for cash withdrawls.

Yes. Correct.

If you where upset about 3% surcharge, you could have reduced the tip by 3% or more and move on.

No, incorrect. It's not the server's fault that their employer charges a fee, and that should have no bearing on the tip. If you have an issue with the fee, either pay cash or go to a different restaurant and tell the manager why. Regardless, the tip should be the same.

[Bwanajim]

I owned a very large dry cleaners in Fort Lauderdale for 40 years. I never charged a credit card surcharge! I just factored it into my pricing.
Smart business

[blueash]

Here is what Google AI says about I was charged a 3% fee at a restaurant in Florida when I used my debit card.

Here is exactly how to handle this and get your money back:

1. Demand a Refund from the Restaurant

Contact the restaurant management directly. Many business owners genuinely do not understand the law and confuse "running a debit card as credit" with an actual credit card.
• Tell them: "Per federal law and Visa merchant rules, surcharges on debit cards are strictly prohibited, regardless of how the transaction is routed."
• Request an immediate refund for the 3% overcharge.

2. File a Chargeback (Dispute) with Your Bank

If the restaurant refuses to cooperate, open your banking app or call the number on the back of your debit card to dispute the charge.
• Reason code: Unauthorized charge / incorrect transaction amount.
• The proof: Explain that you paid with a debit card and were assessed a credit card surcharge, which violates network rules. The bank will typically reverse the 3% portion of the charge.

3. Report the Violation to Visa

You can file a formal merchant violation report directly with Visa. This penalizes the restaurant and forces compliance.
• Go to the official Visa Merchant Non-Compliance reporting page.
• Select the option for "The merchant added a surcharge to my purchase" and specify that it was a debit card.

4. File a Complaint with Florida Authorities

Florida takes undisclosed or illegal fees seriously. You can file a formal consumer complaint online with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) or the Florida Attorney General's Office. They investigate businesses that hit consumers with unlawful operational fees.
Would you like me to find the exact online complaint links for Visa or the Florida Consumer Services department so you can submit your report right away?
AI responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more

[GaryJPalys]

Originally Posted by Eg_cruz

Last week I was charged a 3% fee because I used my bank debt card instead of cash or credit card.
So I had to look this up because I know that the debit card fees are very low if any and yes I did I checked and the fee to use a debit card for the merchants is $.05-$.21 not 3%.
I went and looked a little further and found out they are not allowed to charge a fee on a debit card or a prepaid card per agreement with a debit card holder companies
When I called and questioned it, they told me I was wrong that they’re allowed to per Florida law so again I went and research again, this time a little deeper.
Yes, in Florida they can charge 3 to 4% on credit card transactions only not on debit cards or prepaid cards
I found that you can report them through the state of Florida and through your debt card holder.
I get that it’s only a 3% fee but why do I have to pay them more than what they have to pay if they want to charge me $.21 per transaction fine but why are you charging me 3% when they don’t get charged 3%
To me, this is the restaurants and merchants who charge these fees on debit cards, they’re just ripping you off and we just have been paying it with no questions asked
So I will be reporting any restaurant or merchant that charges me a fee on a debit card.
Especially Visa debit it is in their rules with the merchants that they are not allowed to charge a fee no matter what

Whatever happened to it’s the cost of being in business?

I think restaurants suck... They charge a service fee now for take out orders. Those used to be charged only when you dined in the restaurant, but now that so many people use Grubhub, Doordash, or UberEats, they weren't even getting tips because they don't use their own drivers anymore. As far as the the 3% goes, I had to replace my boiler and standalone hot water tank AND get a new chimney liner. It was $14,000 and I went to pay for it with a credit card. I always use a credit card online with my accounts and then just pay the cards on the first of the month. Well that woman told me there was going to be a 5% fee for using a credit card. I said "Huh?"... So I started researching it and it turns out, the State of New Hampshire allows it, but it's capped at 3%. So I called that woman up and told her what I found and she emailed me a new bill with the fee at 3%. Well the company is here in the city of Manchester, so I hopped in my car, drove to my bank and got a certified check made out to that company for $14,000 and drove right to the company where I know she works in the office alone because I've been dealing with them for a few years. I put the check on the counter, I told her I want a receipt, she gave me the receipt, and I told her she just ruined a long time relationship! I know the owner, Bill, very nice guy. I'm sure he wasn't happy!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by GaryJPalys

I think restaurants suck... They charge a service fee now for take out orders. Those used to be charged only when you dined in the restaurant, but now that so many people use Grubhub, Doordash, or UberEats, they weren't even getting tips because they don't use their own drivers anymore. As far as the the 3% goes, I had to replace my boiler and standalone hot water tank AND get a new chimney liner. It was $14,000 and I went to pay for it with a credit card. I always use a credit card online with my accounts and then just pay the cards on the first of the month. Well that woman told me there was going to be a 5% fee for using a credit card. I said "Huh?"... So I started researching it and it turns out, the State of New Hampshire allows it, but it's capped at 3%. So I called that woman up and told her what I found and she emailed me a new bill with the fee at 3%. Well the company is here in the city of Manchester, so I hopped in my car, drove to my bank and got a certified check made out to that company for $14,000 and drove right to the company where I know she works in the office alone because I've been dealing with them for a few years. I put the check on the counter, I told her I want a receipt, she gave me the receipt, and I told her she just ruined a long time relationship! I know the owner, Bill, very nice guy. I'm sure he wasn't happy!

I think that most contractors charge a 3 percent charge to use a credit card. Usually, I will pay the fee because it gives me a 60-day window to dispute the charge. That way, if there is a problem with the installation, I know that the contractor will return to fix it or he won't get paid. Peace of mind that is worth 3 percent.

Note that the fee is really only 1 percent if you have a 2 percent rewards card.

[nhkim]

Originally Posted by GaryJPalys

As far as the the 3% goes, I had to replace my boiler and standalone hot water tank AND get a new chimney liner. It was $14,000 and I went to pay for it with a credit card. I always use a credit card online with my accounts and then just pay the cards on the first of the month. Well that woman told me there was going to be a 5% fee for using a credit card. I said "Huh?"... So I started researching it and it turns out, the State of New Hampshire allows it, but it's capped at 3%. So I called that woman up and told her what I found and she emailed me a new bill with the fee at 3%. Well the company is here in the city of Manchester, so I hopped in my car, drove to my bank and got a certified check made out to that company for $14,000 and drove right to the company where I know she works in the office alone because I've been dealing with them for a few years. I put the check on the counter, I told her I want a receipt, she gave me the receipt, and I told her she just ruined a long time relationship! I know the owner, Bill, very nice guy. I'm sure he wasn't happy!

Bill Trombley? I'm from NH as well.

[GaryJPalys]

Originally Posted by nhkim

Bill Trombley? I'm from NH as well.

Bill LeChance... I do know Trombley though. I worked for him in the early 80's!

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by alwann

Can businesses charging for using credit cards still deduct bank card cost as a business expense?

yes, provided they also report the credit card surcharge as income.

[jimhoward]

Businesses that do this have no sales and marketing savvy. Just raise your prices and offer a discount for cash (or whatever form of payment you prefer). Everyone likes discounts nobody likes fees.

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Me too, but it is a secret. Kind of like the posters who say the price they paid for a product or service was "reasonable".

I wasn’t going to name the restaurant but it is The Lighthouse Point Bar and Grill

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by JGibson

Would like to know the name of the restaurant.

Lighthouse

[MrFlorida]

So, don't go there anymore, problem solved !

[Stu from NYC]

Than they include tax and fees in suggested tip.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Than they include tax and fees in suggested tip.

LOL. They can suggest whatever tip they want.