People should die for this

[dullard]

This thread is not about CC fees, which are generally forbidden by merchant agreements anyway.

You were once correct with that, but times have changed:

http://consumerist.com/2014/07/19/1...ard-questions-we-get-asked-all-the-time/#Sec2

2. Can a merchant charge more (or add a fee) for using a credit card?
Yes, they can — and that’s a relatively new thing. Since a legal settlement in 2013, merchants have been able to charge their customers additional surcharges for paying with a credit card.

 

[Jeff7]

I'll throw this in anytime someone mentions stores merchants the blues about credit card fees: People buying with credit cards have been shown in studies to be prone to buying 10-18% more than they would have if they'd been using cash. Charging extra for a card is effectively saying "Could you not do that?" to people who are trying to give you more money.

 

[OutHouse]

You were once correct with that, but times have changed:

http://consumerist.com/2014/07/19/1...ard-questions-we-get-asked-all-the-time/#Sec2

correct, my county DMV, local water bill will charge a extra 3% if you pay with a credit card.

 

[OutHouse]

I'll throw this in anytime someone mentions stores merchants the blues about credit card fees: People buying with credit cards have been shown in studies to be prone to buying 10-18% more than they would have if they'd been using cash. Charging extra for a card is effectively saying "Could you not do that?" to people who are trying to give you more money.

not what this tread is about.

 

[ElFenix]

Just sign up for bill pay on your bank's website. If the receiver isn't in their system they're mailed a physical check.

It's genius. You do everything online, your bank does all the effort, and the utility gets a check that they didn't really want to pay to process in the first place.

yup. going the other way to pay bills is just backward.

 

[Charmonium]

Just sign up for bill pay on your bank's website. If the receiver isn't in their system they're mailed a physical check.

It's genius. You do everything online, your bank does all the effort, and the utility gets a check that they didn't really want to pay to process in the first place.

+1. As long as your bill is the exact same amount from month to month, you can even have these checks go out automatically. And the bank doesn't charge you for the postage. So . . . suck it you greedy bastards.

 

[3chordcharlie]

You were once correct with that, but times have changed:

http://consumerist.com/2014/07/19/1...ard-questions-we-get-asked-all-the-time/#Sec2

I'm not sure if this is the case in Canada or not, but as I said I have no issue with this. Rewards cards especially are a huge rip-off for businesses.

 

[Paladin3]

Do you think receiving a paper bill & check in the mail is free? They pay people to open and go through the mail, stamp and deposit the checks, update account numbers, etc. Nothing was ever free. The costs were already baked into the service for personnel required to handle paper checks, accepting online bill payments actually saves them money compared to hiring people, but they have the nerve to charge a convenience fee.

Did you even read the thread before you wrote your rant? The complaint is charging of a convenience fee even for bank draft payments, no credit card processing required. There is no way this actually costs the business more money than hiring someone to manually open paper bills and file accordingly, yet they charge a fee anyway, because they can.

Soooo Much This!

 

[Paladin3]

I'll throw this in anytime someone mentions stores merchants the blues about credit card fees: People buying with credit cards have been shown in studies to be prone to buying 10-18% more than they would have if they'd been using cash. Charging extra for a card is effectively saying "Could you not do that?" to people who are trying to give you more money.

And This!

When we owned a small retail shop we were thankful for every customer who walked in the door and made it as easy for them to pay as possible. We took ever card possible, local checks and even Canadian currency since we are near the boarder. It's just good business.

Why make someone feel bad about paying you money by niggling over the CC surcharge? Roll it into your cost of doing business and never ever mention it to the customer, unless you want to look petty and greedy.

 

[Jeff7]

not what this tread is about.

Didn't know OT had strict rules of engagement.

And This!

When we owned a small retail shop we were thankful for every customer who walked in the door and made it as easy for them to pay as possible. We took ever card possible, local checks and even Canadian currency since we are near the boarder. It's just good business.

Why make someone feel bad about paying you money by niggling over the CC surcharge? Roll it into your cost of doing business and never ever mention it to the customer, unless you want to look petty and greedy.

A local shop has a handwritten sign saying not to use credit cards on orders <$10.

Quite a few times I've felt like getting an icecream bar or something of the sort, since it's very close by.
But I don't like having cash or change. So instead of sales-fees=$$, they get $0.00 most of those times, and I end up just waiting to get something when I'm buying groceries elsewhere.
The lack of credit card fees might make it feel like you're coming out ahead, but that really might not be the case.

 

[Carson Dyle]

But I don't like having cash or change. So instead of sales-fees=$$, they get $0.00 most of those times, and I end up just waiting to get something when I'm buying groceries elsewhere.
The lack of credit card fees might make it feel like you're coming out ahead, but that really might not be the case.

Until recently, my buddy owned a bar and had a similar policy. No cards under $10. What would happen is that on a busy night, too may people would come up to the bar, order a $3 beer, they'd be asked if they want to start a tab but they'd have the bartender run the card. Then they'd be back ten minutes later and do the same thing. Not only was it a pain in the ass and a major hassle, the fees cut pretty significantly into any money made on these sales. You either pay cash, start a tab, or get the f*ck out. I saw a huge number of people buy a $3 beer, then when told of the policy, they'd buy a $7 shot, or even buy a couple drinks for strangers. So, it works both ways.

That store that misses out on your buying an ice cream bar or a cup of coffee probably doesn't miss your business when they're probably losing money on the transaction.

 

[walkur]

Weird... here often you'll get a discount if you pay online...

 

[Linflas]

We have farmland I have to pay taxes on on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I end up with 4 bills due to the way it is parceled on the tax maps. When I want to pay online they have no way for me to combine all 4 bills into 1 payment, instead they want to charge me a "convenience fee" for each bill. For 2 of the 4 bills the fee is greater than the tax amount. Sheer idiocy. Fortunately most billers I deal with locally only charge the fee for credit card payments and not for echecks.

 

[Chiropteran]

That store that misses out on your buying an ice cream bar or a cup of coffee probably doesn't miss your business when they're probably losing money on the transaction.

I doubt they would actually lose money on the transaction. A cup of coffee has absurd markup typically, $.15-20 total cost to the store sold for $2, those AMEX fees aren't going to add up to $1.90. Same deal for those frozen ice cream things- store buys a box of 20 for $4, sells them for $2 a piece for a massive profit.

 

[ScottFern]

I just paid my property tax bill this morning and it was an ACH push and they still charge a $1 processing fee. Do you know how many houses are within the borders of Cook County? Someone is making a killing accepting bank pushes. What a scam and twice a year on top of it.

 

[Bubblehappy]

Just sign up for bill pay on your bank's website. If the receiver isn't in their system they're mailed a physical check.

It's genius. You do everything online, your bank does all the effort, and the utility gets a check that they didn't really want to pay to process in the first place.

This is the only route to go to avoid any fees.

The payees are feeding on us because we are in a convenience age. It's easier for us to pay by phone/web than to pay by check or in person. Erks me because they are profiting big time on this.

The cost associated with processing a check are far far far and away higher than electronic processing. Hell, I don't even have a checkbook these days.

It's only a matter of time before the banks get wise to this and start charging for bill pay, trust me.

 

[evident]

Old? They still milk the hell out of you when buying tickets online.
Hell I just bought a gift certificate for the Milwaukee Brewers online -- cost me $8 in fees? WTF?!?!

the only way ticket master gets away with those ridiculous fees was that they are the only game in town. wtf. :thumbsdown:

 

[lupi]

Ah I feel good now. Did a bill pay from the bank and since they don't take (free) electronic payments, bank said they'd be sending a bank check to them. So they get the increased cost of managing actual checks and I don't even need the stamp, just lose out on the joy of leaving thank you notes on a personal check.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Ah I feel good now. Did a bill pay from the bank and since they don't take (free) electronic payments, bank said they'd be sending a bank check to them. So they get the increased cost of managing actual checks and I don't even need the stamp, just lose out on the joy of leaving thank you notes on a personal check.

I've never used bill pay through a bank.They don't charge _anything_ for this? Seems kinda odd, considering all the ticky tacky crap that costs them nothing, but they happily charge you $30 for.

 

[lupi]

Well, mine is actually a credit union, but nope not any fee to use.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I just do preauthorized payments for everything, only use bill pay for stuff like paying my credit card or other non reoccurring payments, but I recently noticed on my CC website that I can actually set it up so the full balance gets paid automatically each month, so might set that up at some point. My CC will expire soon so I'll wait till I get the new one. I love everything to be automated so it's set and forget and don't have to worry about being late for any bill. All I need to do is occasionally look at everything that comes out of my bank account for any discrepancies. Corporations might be evil and stuff but they're not going to straight up directly steal money from your account, either. If by chance an accounting error happens they'll eventually pay you back or credit your account.

My server provider (OVH in Beauharnois) is a pain in the ass though because they don't offer preauthorized payments for some stupid reason. Like, not even through credit card. So I just make sure to be a couple months ahead to play it safe.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I've never used bill pay through a bank.They don't charge _anything_ for this? Seems kinda odd, considering all the ticky tacky crap that costs them nothing, but they happily charge you $30 for.

They charge you $10-25 per month to have a checking account, with maybe a discount if you maintain several thousand dollars in no-interest deposits. I suspect the vast majority of bill payments are in fact handled electronically. Once upon a time I could even pay parking tickets at a bank, but no more.

 

[freeskier93]

They charge you $10-25 per month to have a checking account, with maybe a discount if you maintain several thousand dollars in no-interest deposits. I suspect the vast majority of bill payments are in fact handled electronically. Once upon a time I could even pay parking tickets at a bank, but no more.

Anyone who pays for a checking account is a damn fool.

The second Wells Fargo wanted wanted to charge me for a checking account I bailed for a credit union. Now I have a Discover checking/savings, don't pay a single dime and bill pay is free. Discover also has an amazing APR on their savings accounts.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

To be fair, credit cards charge between ~1.5 - 2.5% for each transaction on the receiver side. So I can see trying to make-up those costs.... HOWEVER, that should only ever apply to credit cards. There should be a free alternative, such as bank transfers, check payments, etc...

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Anyone who pays for a checking account is a damn fool.

The second Wells Fargo wanted wanted to charge me for a checking account I bailed for a credit union. Now I have a Discover checking/savings, don't pay a single dime and bill pay is free. Discover also has an amazing APR on their savings accounts.

Rule#1 when it comes to banking: The bank is your bitch. They bend over for you. You do not bend over for them.

I needed some rare paper checks for a one-time payment that would only accept checks. So I went to my Bank of America and asked for checks. They tried to tell me that it would be a $15 fee at minimum for a small book.... I laughed and said "Look, waive any and all fees or I'm taking my money and going elsewhere". You can guess what the next action was from BoA.