You pay more with your debit/credit card

We do not have an actual credit card. Our debit has a Visa logo. Some places charge more if we use debit. Others charge more if we use credit. Some places don't charge extra for either.
 
Some gases stations have had the difference for years....Exxon is one that I remember growing up. We don't have any around here that do that (at least that I'm aware of). I think they're just trying to forward the debit/credit transactions costs to the consumer....that convenience factor ;)
 
It is mainly out of state gas stations that have it. If you don't have a local bank or a branch of your bank in that area they will usually charge you a fee.

We use cash now except for paying bills and gas.
 
We have had this problem with more than gas stations. I find this is the case in restaurants and different stores, local, down the hill, and out of state. My bank is local and this still happens around here so I agree with Rhonda that this is a convenience factor.
 
Actually last month we went to lexington KY and and stopped at a speed way there was a sign on the pump saying they put a $50 hold on all out of state card purchases under $100. So we paid in cash but when we inquired about it they said that our bank would have the hold because it was out of state. Across the state was our bank...lol. We've learned to just pay in cash for small things.
 
StoneFamily said:
Actually last month we went to lexington KY and and stopped at a speed way there was a sign on the pump saying they put a $50 hold on all out of state card purchases under $100. So we paid in cash but when we inquired about it they said that our bank would have the hold because it was out of state. Across the state was our bank...lol. We've learned to just pay in cash for small things.
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As much as it stinks, I can understand why an out of state station would do this. My uncle owns many stations and he said that people are really good at swipping their cards but when it is time for their accounts to transfer the funds, there isn't enough money.

But I do not understand why this would be done to people who live and bank in the same state.

We go to the corner restaurant a few times a month and they charge for debit but not for credit. What is odd is that my card isn't a credit card. It is actually a debit with a logo.
 
Mine is too, Patty! And it irritates me that I'm not always asked for a PIN number. Sometimes they want me to sign, but what does that do? I've heard, btw, that instead of signing your card, you write "Picture ID Required". Then supposedly they must ask for a picture ID to make sure you're the same person.

I pay cash for groceries, but that's it.
 
We don't have charges around here unless you use a different banks atm. We do try to use cash as much as possible. It just seems to make things easier.
 
I'm seeing charges for using debit in more stores around me. At least in Canada this is directly related to the fact that businesses have to pay a percentage of credit or debit transactions to a bank.CC company and lately, with all the problems involved with the recession, the banks/CC companies are upping the percentage. It's putting the squeeze on businesses and I even know of a few that are simply dealing in cash now to avoid the charges. Others are choosing to pass it on to consumers.
 
I have noticed this for at least two years now. It seems that more and more places are doing it. Then again, as I said in another post, some businesses do not do it at all.

I try not to carry cash with me unless it is a small amount. Usually I just use the card. This is why I had the logo put on the card because some places wouldn't take debit without a logo. Handsome also is in the habit of asking if there is a charge before he makes a purchase. All those little additional charges add up on your bank statement.
 
This is the first time I have seen this. I didn't see it when we left two weeks ago but we did drive a different route. I try to use cash. There have been a few places on base where the machines have been down but I was able to still do business because I had cash. :) We have a few local small stores that are cash only.
I do like to use my card while traveling because it makes my life easier, swipe and go instead of dragging all the kiddos out of the car or waking them up to go inside to pay.
 
My understanding on the difference of when you sign and when you use a PIN is that the bank actually charges more to process a "signed" purchase - they consider these "credit" even thought the money is withdrawn immediately from your account. Go figure:confused:.

My BIL owns a service station (he used to have gas and service, now he just has service) and he says that sometimes he actually lost money when people buy gas at the pump with their credit card. Usually this would be someone buying a small amount for a moped or filling up gas cans. Card companies charged him a flat fee ranging from a few cents to up to $4 PLUS a percentage of the transaction amount. Those card fees can cut into a small businesses profits real quick. Compare that with about 10 cents to process a check or PIN # debit card transaction or 0 for cash. He says businesses can't charge "extra" for credit card purchases - it's a breech of their contract with the CC company, but you can give a discount for cash. He had to raise his prices to cover the fees. In January, he got rid of the gas pumps, started doing only service, accepting only cash and checks, lowered his prices, has more business and more profit. I used to never understand why some businesses wouldn't take credit, but now I do. Can you imagine how many other businesses raise prices-even just a little bit- to cover credit fees? We're all getting punished.

We used to use our credit card for everything because it was easy, we paid it off every month and we got "rewards", but after learning about these fees, we have switched to cash for everything. An added bonus is we have been spending less and saving more every month since we've been paying cash. The small local businesses are benefiting because they aren't having to pay those outrageous fees when we buy from them. It makes me mad that these banks make TONS of money on those fees yet need a bailout...but that's a rant for a different thread.
 
I ask for a minimum on cc purchases (don't take debit).... it costs me a ton to accept cc's - but we do it for convenience.... I prefer cash though or even a check.
 
Jackie said:
Mine is too, Patty! And it irritates me that I'm not always asked for a PIN number. Sometimes they want me to sign, but what does that do? I've heard, btw, that instead of signing your card, you write "Picture ID Required". Then supposedly they must ask for a picture ID to make sure you're the same person.

I pay cash for groceries, but that's it.
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My card says 'See ID' on the back. The ladies at the bank told me it would help keep my card safer.

If you aren't being asked for a pin, the cashier initiated the sale as a credit purchase. At our bank, the difference between credit purchases and debit purchases- with a debit card- is debit purchases clear sooner. Debit purchases, where you enter your pin, don't require a signature, but credit purchases do.
 
jill said:
My understanding on the difference of when you sign and when you use a PIN is that the bank actually charges more to process a "signed" purchase - they consider these "credit" even thought the money is withdrawn immediately from your account. Go figure:confused:.
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Some businesses around here do not make you sign if the purchase is under $20 but the purchase will still go through as credit and if it is the companies policy, we still have to pay the extra charge.
 
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