AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[TravFF]

AHA! So then they debit it when they want! Nix to that!

Well, when do you pay your bill? I generally (90%) pay it on the day it's due anyway or the day before (10%). The bill arrives and basically states the amount you have to pay and then a date two weeks later when the money will be debited. To me, it's the same as receiving a bill and a due date two weeks later anyway. Perhaps not the same thing to you, judging by your comments?

 

[JohnK]

I can tell you have played this game before. :wink:

Yes, the "walk off" usually helps drop the price dramatically. Funny stuff.

Hilarious especially watching first timers who have never bargained this way before.

 

[JohnK]

I wonder if Amex are going to issue calculators with a Surcharge button?

Don't give Amex more ideas. :roll:

 

[serfty]

... Perhaps not the same thing to you, judging by your comments?

Do not worry, I pay on time.

For me it's more of a philisophical issue; I prefer to 'push' payments rather than have them 'pulled'.

I am quite prejudiced about this, having previously had funds being taken when is was not warranted.

 

[NM]

I can tell you have played this game before. :wink:

And it certainly is a game. Works best in places like China Town, but also can get good reductions at Bukit Bintan. Unless you have "walked" at least three times, you have not found their lowest price.

 

[Damien]

You can pay with Amex if you ask them for a direct debit form. Do a direct debit to your Amex card and then you're paying with Amex. Tada.

Hope that helps!

AHA! So then they debit it when they want! Nix to that!

They always debit the card on the day payment is due. This works for me as I always pay everything on the day it is due to maximise the time that my money sits in interest bearing accounts.

 

[JohnK]

I bought some petrol in Perth this morning from Caltex/Woolworths, before taking the rental car back to the airport, and was charged a surcharge of 2.10% for using AMEX.

How long has this been in effect? Is it only Caltex/Woolworths in Perth or everywhere in Australia?

I normally buy my petrol from Coles Express and there is no surcharge for using AMEX!

 

[oz_mark]

I have certainly never have had it happen to me, so maybe it is a new thing. I'll dig around and see what I can find.

 

[Yada Yada]

It's happened to me a few times now. I purchased a new dishwasher earlier this week (the old one died), paid for it with Amex, and was hit with a 2.7% surcharge. They told me that they did the same for Visa and MC.

 

[markis10]

I bought some petrol in Perth this morning from Caltex/Woolworths, before taking the rental car back to the airport, and was charged a surcharge of 2.10% for using AMEX.

How long has this been in effect? Is it only Caltex/Woolworths in Perth or everywhere in Australia?

I normally buy my petrol from Coles Express and there is no surcharge for using AMEX!

Since 2003 for non company operated outlets:

08.01.2003 Caltex will not surcharge credit card purchases at company-operated service stations

Caltex Australia said today that in response to media misrepresentation about the company’s position on credit card surcharging no surcharge would apply at company-operated sites.

“Widespread media reports today have created the perception that a surcharge would apply to credit card purchases at Caltex and Ampol branded sites across Australia,” said Caltex National Retail Manager Jim Meynink.

“Caltex has the largest franchised network of service stations in the country and the company has an obligation to its franchisees and other branded dealers to advise them of the Reserve Bank of Australia changes to regulations applying to credit cards relevant to service station operations. The company explained that each individual dealer must independently make their own decision about credit card surcharging and the rules applying to surcharging.

“Developments in the intensely competitive petrol market and in the major retail market generally have shown that credit card surcharging is not becoming commonplace. Consequently Caltex has decided that given these current market developments the company will not surcharge customers purchasing fuel with credit or charge cards at any company-operated service station.”

I am not sure how the woolworths operations fit into this statement though.

 

[oz_mark]

Which Woolworths Caltex was it?

 

[JohnK]

Caltex Woolworths Rivervale.

 

[Sheriff]

Last week I spoke to a marketing representative of American Express from CPM Pty Ltd, who informed me that it is illegal for any petrol station to charge a surcharge for using an American Express credit card when purchasing fuel.

Regards
Sheriff

 

[oz_mark]

I doubt that it is illegal. American Express even provide guidelines on how a service station can do it.

See here: http://home3.americanexpress.com/australia/merchant/knowledge/enquiry_RBAreform.asp#7

 

[JohnK]

Last week I spoke to a marketing representative of American Express from CPM Pty Ltd

The keyword here is marketing representative.

You don't seriously believe anything they tell you when they are trying to sell you something?

 

[oz_mark]

According to American Express:

...the cost of paying your Telstra bill with your American Express Card has decreased. As of 29 January, American Express Cardmembers pay the same surcharge rate as all other credit cards (0.69%).

 

[straitman]

According to American Express:

...the cost of paying your Telstra bill with your American Express Card has decreased. As of 29 January, American Express Cardmembers pay the same surcharge rate as all other credit cards (0.69%).

I'll certainly check when I pay my next bill. I'm sure when I last paid (two weeks ago) that the difference still existed. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

 

[oz_mark]

That is what I thought too. But, I just had a look at Telstra's online payment page and it says this:

A payment processing fee applies, reflecting bank fees charged to Telstra for card payments. This is currently 0.69% for Visa, Bankcard, Mastercard, American Express and 1.68% for Diners, plus applicable GST.

So, it would seem that Amex and Telstra have come to some deal. I would assume this was Amex reducing its fee.

 

[JohnK]

So, it would seem that Amex and Telstra have come to some deal. I would assume this was Amex reducing its fee.

Last Telstra bill I looked at had 1.68% surcharge for paying by Amex.

Good to see it reduced but a company the size of Telstra should be able to absorb credit card fees. I suppose the same goes for Amex as the fees they charge merchants is too high.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Good to see it reduced but a company the size of Telstra should be able to absorb credit card fees. I suppose the same goes for Amex as the fees they charge merchants is too high.

Absorbing CC surchages is just code-word for slugging everyone else. I.e. everyone else that pays via a cheaper method are subsidising the more expensive credit card users.

Whilst I'd like that too, I can see that those other people aren't going to be happy subsidising my accumulation of points. My points need to paid for by someone, and I'm pretty sure that those other people aren't going to be happy that it should be them, rather than me.