AMEX not accepted or surcharge

[Jurahn]

My preferred Caltex does this (although it's a Starmart-triple dippable with Myerone, WISH card and EDR) . You can get round the charge by buying a WISH giftcard with your Amex at WW as they should take these

They used to have signs on the pumps a while ago stating that they didn't take WISH gift cards, but not sure if that's still the case. I walk past the place quite often so will have a look next time.

 

[andye]

You cant use a wish card if there is no ww logo on the station. Some starmart caltex have it, others don't

 

[OzEire]

Any anecdotal evidence of Amex doing anything about merchants charging excessive surcharges or otherwise discouraging Amex usage?

I had another example just the other night where my restaurant bill was delivered to the table in an Amex folder - I put my Amex on top of it. The young waiter took the time to explain surcharges and strongly discouraged me from using it, almost as an afterthought she said, oh and we charge an extra 3.3% too!

I used the Signature Visa.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I had another example just the other night where my restaurant bill was delivered to the table in an Amex folder - I put my Amex on top of it. The young waiter took the time to explain surcharges and strongly discouraged me from using it, almost as an afterthought she said, oh and we charge an extra 3.3% too!

Was the surcharge mentioned anywhere on the menu? If not I'd have told them to get stuffed – and have numerous times at various Sydney restaurants and refused to pay until they processed the transaction for the total advertised price, exclusive of hidden fees that weren't lawfully disclosed 'at the time of entering into the transaction as per the ACCC guidelines'.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

was the surcharge mentioned anywhere on the menu? If not i'd have told them to get stuffed – and have numerous times at various sydney restaurants and refused to pay until they processed the transaction for the total advertised price, exclusive of hidden fees that weren't lawfully disclosed 'at the time of entering into the transaction as per the accc guidelines'.

me too !!!!

 

[blackcat20]

Any anecdotal evidence of Amex doing anything about merchants charging excessive surcharges or otherwise discouraging Amex usage?

I had another example just the other night where my restaurant bill was delivered to the table in an Amex folder - I put my Amex on top of it. The young waiter took the time to explain surcharges and strongly discouraged me from using it, almost as an afterthought she said, oh and we charge an extra 3.3% too!

I used the Signature Visa.

Restaurant I dined at the other week presented the bill in an Amex folder, with stickers of the restaurant logo over the Amex logos. However they took Amex, and no fee...

 

[theevilmuppet]

I was at one restaurant about 12 months ago that had an American Express sign at the door and handed me the bill in an American Express folder. Upon presenting my American Express, I was told a few things:

* Sorry sir, the bank is down (a lie)
* Sorry sir, your card was declined (another lie)
* We don't accept American Express

Attempting to force the manager to understand how many different types of inept they were was an interesting way of getting lunch for my family for free.

 

[Daver6]

Was the surcharge mentioned anywhere on the menu? If not I'd have told them to get stuffed – and have numerous times at various Sydney restaurants and refused to pay until they processed the transaction for the total advertised price, exclusive of hidden fees that weren't lawfully disclosed 'at the time of entering into the transaction as per the ACCC guidelines'.

I've never thought of taking that approach. Great idea!

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Just to add to this, as a merchant, Amex charged us 2.9% + GST, we renegotiated this down to 1.8% + GST. So I understand the merchant perspective and right to charge a surcharge. It's the customer's choice if they accept that or not.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Was the surcharge mentioned anywhere on the menu? If not I'd have told them to get stuffed – and have numerous times at various Sydney restaurants and refused to pay until they processed the transaction for the total advertised price, exclusive of hidden fees that weren't lawfully disclosed 'at the time of entering into the transaction as per the ACCC guidelines'.

You don't enter into the transaction until you give them your card, so as long as they don't take your card, charge it, then tell you there is a surcharge, they are on the right side of the l

 

[ChrisFlyer]

You don't enter into the transaction until you give them your card, so as long as they don't take your card, charge it, then tell you there is a surcharge, they are on the right side of the l

That should read 'contract', not 'transaction' - you enter into a contract with the business when you order and consume food based on the printed price on the menu in the same way you enter into a contact with a petrol station when you fill up your car based on the price displayed at the pump and then pay afterwards - a merchant can't legally advertise one price to entice your business, gain that business and then change the price of the goods already consumed after the contract has been entered into at a particular price but before payment is finalised. Surcharges are perfectly legal, but must be disclosed in a way that allows the consumer to back out of the purchase completely, which means they must be disclosed on the menu (and at petrol stations, on the pump itself).

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

That should read 'contract', not 'transaction' - you enter into a contract with the business when you order and consume food based on the printed price on the menu in the same way you enter into a contact with a petrol station when you fill up your car based on the price displayed at the pump and then pay afterwards - a merchant can't legally advertise one price to entice your business, gain that business and then change the price of the goods already consumed after the contract has been entered into at a particular price but before payment is finalised. Surcharges are perfectly legal, but must be disclosed in a way that allows the consumer to back out of the purchase completely, which means they must be disclosed on the menu (and at petrol stations, on the pump itself).

I think you are incorrect.

If the establishment offers a payment without any surcharge, they do not need to notate on their menu that Amex incurs a surcharge. You make a choice when making the payment as to the best method for you.

If they were to apply a surcharge to all cards and not disclose this, that is a different story, but I presume you were able to pay by Visa/MasterCard/Cash without any fee?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I think you are incorrect.

If the establishment offers a payment without any surcharge, they do not need to notate on their menu that Amex incurs a surcharge. You make a choice when making the payment as to the best method for you.

If they were to apply a surcharge to all cards and not disclose this, that is a different story, but I presume you were able to pay by Visa/MasterCard/Cash without any fee?

That should read 'contract', not 'transaction' - you enter into a contract with the business when you order and consume food based on the printed price on the menu in the same way you enter into a contact with a petrol station when you fill up your car based on the price displayed at the pump and then pay afterwards - a merchant can't legally advertise one price to entice your business, gain that business and then change the price of the goods already consumed after the contract has been entered into at a particular price but before payment is finalised. Surcharges are perfectly legal, but must be disclosed in a way that allows the consumer to back out of the purchase completely, which means they must be disclosed on the menu (and at petrol stations, on the pump itself).

You both might want to have a close look at section 48 of the COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010 - SCHEDULE 2 (otherwise known as the ACL)

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/caca2010265/sch2.html#_Toc424644331

 

[zzyss]

So if a restaurant or cafe has a sign at the checkout that shows the credit card surcharge, would that be sufficient? I mean, this seems to suffice for retailers, e.g. JB Hifi, etc. Personally, I've become accustomed to looking for this whenever I eat at any restaurant anyway.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

So if a restaurant or cafe has a sign at the checkout that shows the credit card surcharge, would that be sufficient? I mean, this seems to suffice for retailers, e.g. JB Hifi, etc. Personally, I've become accustomed to looking for this whenever I eat at any restaurant anyway.

Yes that is indeed sufficient.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Interestingly, Amex will give you special rates if you commit to not charging more to accept Amex than Visa/MasterCard. You agree to "no differential surcharges" and they give you a reduced merchant rate.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Interestingly, Amex will give you special rates if you commit to not charging more to accept Amex than Visa/MasterCard. You agree to "no differential surcharges" and they give you a reduced merchant rate.

Makes sense. I wonder why more businesses don't take them up on that?

 

[farstar]

So if a restaurant or cafe has a sign at the checkout that shows the credit card surcharge, would that be sufficient? I mean, this seems to suffice for retailers, e.g. JB Hifi, etc. Personally, I've become accustomed to looking for this whenever I eat at any restaurant anyway.

That may be the letter of the law but there is a difference to me as at JB Hifi I can just walk out without making the purchase. I can't do that at a restaurant if I have already eaten the meal. What if I don't have any other means (not likely but) to avoid the charge? I think they should be required by law to show any surcharges on the menu, may be even on the door. It is the fairest way and if the restaurant is fair dink-um and upfront then it should be no problem.

The letter of the law should be changed if you need only be told about a surcharge after you can't pull out of a purchase as is the case after you have eaten a meal.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

That may be the letter of the law but there is a difference to me as at JB Hifi I can just walk out without making the purchase. I can't do that at a restaurant if I have already eaten the meal. What if I don't have any other means (not likely but) to avoid the charge? I think they should be required by law to show any surcharges on the menu, may be even on the door. It is the fairest way and if the restaurant is fair dink-um and upfront then it should be no problem.

The letter of the law should be changed if you need only be told about a surcharge after you can't pull out of a purchase as is the case after you have eaten a meal.

I would agree if the establishment only accepted Amex, however while they have multiple fee free payment options, we are all smart enough not to rely on amex alone or we may go rather hungry.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Makes sense. I wonder why more businesses don't take them up on that?

Probably as it's still 2% and that would mean putting up the surcharge for visa/MC to above what it costs so that they are on par.

I don't know how much they audit but you could probably get away with just agreeing and doing something else...