Beware Americans, these are the gas stations that are charging $1 more per gallon if you use a credit card: “I noticed a little box below”
Vendors for the most part are allowed to place a surcharge on transactions where a consumer pays with a credit card. But watch out, some can be excessive.
Filling up on a regular basis is a part of life for those who use a car to get around in the United States, which is the vast majority of the population. According to YouGov, paying with a credit card when refueling is the most popular way of paying, followed by debit card.
But buyer beware, it is for the most part legal for gas stations, and other vendors, to place a surcharge on transactions when the consumer uses a credit card to make a payment. But what about a $1 surcharge per gallon? Can that be legal?
Credit card surcharges: “I can make it any number I want”
While laws are always changing, and every state has their own, federal law allows for a 4% maximum allowable surcharge, but forbids debit card surcharging according to Merchant Cost Consulting. This allows vendors to recoup the fees credit card companies charge for the transactions.
Only four state prohibit credit card surcharges, which are California, Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts. The rest of the states all have their own specifics on what is and is not allowed.
In the case of Florida, watch out! One small business owner with a fleet of 12 trucks nearly saw his expenses go unexpectedly through the roof.
Fortunately, Pat Igo of Palm Beach Gardens told WPTV, that when he went to fill up one of his trucks, he noticed a small box on the pump that stated a different price from the one advertised in big letters on the street.
“I noticed this little box at the bottom,” Igo shared with the outlet while holding his index finger and thumb about an inch apart. “And it didn’t match the price that was out on the street.”
A bit taken aback; he went to talk to the manager to see if there was some kind of mistake. The response he received would have left most anyone aghast. “No,” said the manager adding, “I can make it any number I want.” Igo did what most would do in his shoes and left never to go back.
He was lucky, other consumers didn’t realize that there was a surcharge until they had paid. Some of them filed complaints with the state’s attorney general, but authorities could do nothing about it as the practice is legal.
It just goes to show that it is always wise to check the small print with any transaction.
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