[biosurfer1]

I took the little lady out to Dairy Queen tonight and it seems that the "cash discount" gas stations are using around here is spreading to retail.

I bought two Blizzards (got one free because of coupon) so the total should have been $3.89 +$.29 tax but the total flashed $4.74. The guy had asked if it would be cash or card so that should have told me something, but a lot of places ask that because it gets the system ready for a credit card.

Anyways there was a $.56 charge on the receipt that said "ESF" so I asked the manager what that was and he said it "was an Economic Service Fee and if I used cash I would get a discount" I use quotes because that is exactly what he said but charging a fee to use a credit is not giving a discount for using cash, it's charging a fee to use the card. A discount would be if they charged less than the posted price for whatever I bought. There is nothing posted anywhere about this fee nor did the cashier mention it when he asked if I was using a credit card or cash. I saved my breath because the 18 year old manager wouldn't have understood anyways.

Isn't it against the merchant agreement with Visa, etc to not charge a fee to use the card? I have already sent a message to Visa because if they are going to allow merchants to charge people more who use their card, there is no reason to have the credit card.