it's illegal to charge more for using credit cards at gas stations
 

We see it everywhere:
gas stations list a cash price and another
higher price for credit card purchases.
But in ten states, that is illegal.
They can charge more for using a debit card,
but not for using a credit card.
But they do it anyway
That is why arco charges 35 cents for using a
debit card but doesn't accept credit cards in most cases.
They are one of the very few retailers
that isn't breaking the law in these states.

So along comes judges from ... you guessed it,
the 9th circuit who says the law is unconstitutional
because it violates the merchant's 1st amendment
rights of free speech.
Yep, they said that making it illegal to charge
more for using a credit card violates their free speech.
Bizarro world, wonder who paid off those judges?

This will soon spread across the country.
But if enough people make enough noise and
bring it out into the open, the judges, law makers
and law enforcement will no longer be able to turn
a blind eye to this illegal practice.

Then we can go after the BS about them using 9/10s
added onto the advertised price of a gallon
but that's another thread


Ten states prohibit credit card surcharges and convenience fees: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. It is illegal for merchants to add any surcharges to credit card transactions or charge convenience fees to nontraditional payment methods in these states.

In Texas, gas retailers don't charge more for credit, they just give a discount for cash. At least I think this is how they manage to do it.

^^^ I think that's the wording here for Michigan also.

same thing

Always been that way here too.

Debit cards cost the merchant pennies on a $100 gas purchase, a CC is gonna cost them approx 4% ... cash cost them nothing.

Nothing is free... I refuse to feed the pure overhead costs that merchants must pay the CC industry for their "convenience"....

But that's just me :D

Specs (big liquor store in TX) also gives a discount if you use anything other than a credit card. It's the only reason that I still have a debit card.

Arco is actually all over the place on card usage.

I was the only dealer who negotiated credit card pay at the pump in my area. I told them that I'd make my new store a 7-eleven if they didn't authorize me. Then Arco brand was sold off, and the new buyer agreed to the pre-exisiting contract. That led to my entire trade area of Central Calfornia being one of two (Las Vegas is the other) that accepts credit card pay at the pump.

Now Heartland Bank ("Heartless Bank") will charge $.35 per transaction for PIN debit and fleet cards. Furthermore, some fleet card users will get the same price per gallon as cash customers.

Dealers are allowed to set their own credit price per gallon. I could see if it was a violation of 1rst Amendment rights if the rate was dictated to the dealer, but it is not. Only the merchant services cost, which at the current street price of $6.11 per gallon for 87 octane, works out to less than $.05 per gallon. I charge $.08 per gallon for credit and subsidize that a bit by charging $.08 per gallon for cash and PIN debit. Believe it or not, it costs a lot to deposit cash. The bank charges around 1% to deposit cash at the counter. An armored car costs even more than that.

Everybody wants their 3% cashback. Where do you think it comes from? Hint: Not Chevron or Exxon.

it's illegal to charge more for using credit cards at gas stations
 

It is funny that Oklahoma is on the list. When I renew our business license with the OK Secretary of State, they charge me a $25 for the license, and a one dollar convenience fee. When I renew my car’s tag, I write a check to avoid the convenience fee charged by the state.

I've started to see the same thing here for restaurants. This is on top of the customary minimum charge for credit card use.

They say the same here in Colorado. It's not a surcharge for a credit card, it's a discount for cash. I would imagine if that was legally challenged it would not hold up but who is going to take on that fight?

I live in Connecticut where it's illegal to charge a fee for using a CC. While going through our credit card statement I noticed that a local mom and son shop that my wife likes to shop at charges her a fee when using her CC. They even have it on the receipt as "fee". I asked her to ask them what the fee is and they told her they charge a fee if you use a card. I told her to tell them that it's illegal, but she likes going there and doesn't want to start anything.

My county's tax dept will add 4% if you want to pay with a card... CC or debit. With a CC, they are covering their expense.... with a Debit it's literally hundreds of nothing but gouging.... as it cost them a few dimes to process.

Makes no sense to make charging a fee for using a credit card illegal. The business is charged around 3-4% so why shouldn’t they be allowed to be transparent and pass that fee along. Seems it makes for a more informed consumer.

Because the CC companies have successfully lobbied to make it less transparent.


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Yes, the 9th is a living joke across the Country. But hey, San Francisco just threw out that progressive POS DA Boudin. That is a huge step in the right direction. Let's home they make a good choice now.

CA charged a convenience fee for vehicle registration renewal, my local county charged a convenience fee for paying property taxes online. There are actual costs involved in CC processing and they are passing this on to the user. Right or wrong???

If you're not getting a discount for paying cash, then you might as well use a CC and get the points. CC merchant fees are built into the price everyone pays if there is no discount for cash. I have both Sam's and Costco CCs because using them actually shaves $.04-05 off the per gallon price.

And why do you think so many merchants dont accept American Express???


Money doesnt flow from underground springs. Somebody has to pay

Did you really think you were getting 2-3% cash back out of their pocket?