[ic] Credit card surcharges in the UK

Jonathan Clark interchange-users@icdevgroup.org
Mon Sep 9 18:29:02 2002


> > >I would be interested if you find that Merchant Agreements in
> the UK are
> > >different, let me know after you sober up (which, of course, will be
> > >necessary after subjecting yourself to such legalese).
> >
> >
> >OK Dan, I have the answer. According to my merchant agreement
> with Barclays
> >Bank (UK), I personally see no reason why a surcharge cannot be applied.
> >
> >For those who would like to see the clause in full, here it is;
> >
> >3       YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
> >3.1     Accepting Cards
> >You must accept all cards as payment
> >You must not set any minimum limit on card payment amounts.<!--My local
> >pizza delivery company breaks that clause :) >. Except for differences in
> >price, you must treat purchases by card in exactly the same way as cash
> >purchases. With some types of card you must charge the customer the sae
> >price as if he or she were paying cash. These cards are Visa Delta,
> >Electron, Switch, Solo and Maestro <!--All debit cards>. We will
> tell you if
> >this applies to any other types of card<!So far they say only
> debit cards>.
> >With other cards you may charge a different price. However, the
> difference
> >between the card price and the cash price must not be more than
> the amount
> >of the merchant service charge for the payment.<!--So I can charge them!>
>
> How interesting.  Now the only question is how to get some good ole'
> fashioned British Sense knocked into these American financial
> institutions.

I've put some in the post. When it arrives, feel free to attach it to a
piece of 3x2 and beat them over the head with it.

Jonathan
Webmaint.