|
On September 02 2012 05:50 Kasu wrote:Show nested quote +On September 02 2012 04:35 ElvisWayCool wrote:
It's kind of like the law: if you're ignorant of the rules, it's your fault.
Ask the host/bartender next time you go somewhere if there's a drink/dollar minimum. It's better to be safe than sorry.
EDIT: I bet 98% of the people in the bar knew about the minimum prior to going there. Anyone from the US confirm whether this is totally accurate? In the UK I've literally never come across a minimum service charge that wasn't clearly mentioned by the counter. Seems really stupid to put the responsibilty on the customer when one sign would do the job, especially in a bar.
The thing is unlike in the UK where you have to go to the counter to get service in pubs, you get service at your table so you dont necessarily have to go over there, hence why you might not see the sign even if its there.
|
Legends bar in NYC has the bullshit policy of a $20 / minimum. They also have 3 separate bars (downstairs, ground level, upstairs) and you can't buy a beer at one and move around at all. Terrible bar with $8 drafts, shitty selection, and overpriced food.
I've found there to be a mixed policy there. Some nights they'll tell you there's a minimum, other nights they won't. I've been there a few times because they're one of the few places Barcrafting here. Dammit I should really open my own place and do things right.
|
On September 02 2012 05:50 Kasu wrote:Show nested quote +On September 02 2012 04:35 ElvisWayCool wrote:
It's kind of like the law: if you're ignorant of the rules, it's your fault.
Ask the host/bartender next time you go somewhere if there's a drink/dollar minimum. It's better to be safe than sorry.
EDIT: I bet 98% of the people in the bar knew about the minimum prior to going there. Anyone from the US confirm whether this is totally accurate? In the UK I've literally never come across a minimum service charge that wasn't clearly mentioned by the counter. Seems really stupid to put the responsibilty on the customer when one sign would do the job, especially in a bar.
As Shai pointed out, the guy's post was ignorant in itself. He's very off the mark and in many situations that would never apply even if there was a hint of truth in there.
To MrCon saying the credit/debt card fees should be labelled clearly. I wish and there's a huge debate about this with retailers and the credit card companies because a lot of the retailers are processing the fees in the actual price so the consumers don't actually know.
Anyway, the system needs a lot of work at the moment. X-X
|
sounds like an american problem.
If you try to pay with a card in german bars you would get a laugh at best...
Cash for beer, beer for cash 
|
On September 02 2012 04:45 RebirthOfLeGenD wrote:Show nested quote +On September 02 2012 04:35 ElvisWayCool wrote:
It's kind of like the law: if you're ignorant of the rules, it's your fault.
Ask the host/bartender next time you go somewhere if there's a drink/dollar minimum. It's better to be safe than sorry.
EDIT: I bet 98% of the people in the bar knew about the minimum prior to going there. What Torte de lini said was correct though. It's a made up rule that establishments use to avoid paying the 2.75% service charge or whatever number they negotiated. To the other guy, going to their boss probably won't help. Chances are the owner is the one wanting to have a minimum so that he can not report some/most cash income to the IRS and avoid the 2.75% expense incurred from accepting credit cards. You can tell the bartender or whoever is charging you that they have no right to do that, alternatively you could also call up visa or whatever card you used and report them, chances are they get hit with a fine and you get your money back since they are, as torte de lini said, violating their agreement. A company like Visa won't be happy that one of their customers was shafted and they lost money because a bar decided to create their own minimum to avoid giving them money that was agreed they would get.
Just a small correction, I would assume the credit card service has a fixed charge each time someone pays with a credit/debit card. Making it a percentage would not make any sense since it would add up to the same if you payed 5x $1 or just 1x $5 
|
On September 02 2012 06:44 ZpuX wrote:Show nested quote +On September 02 2012 04:45 RebirthOfLeGenD wrote:On September 02 2012 04:35 ElvisWayCool wrote:
It's kind of like the law: if you're ignorant of the rules, it's your fault.
Ask the host/bartender next time you go somewhere if there's a drink/dollar minimum. It's better to be safe than sorry.
EDIT: I bet 98% of the people in the bar knew about the minimum prior to going there. What Torte de lini said was correct though. It's a made up rule that establishments use to avoid paying the 2.75% service charge or whatever number they negotiated. To the other guy, going to their boss probably won't help. Chances are the owner is the one wanting to have a minimum so that he can not report some/most cash income to the IRS and avoid the 2.75% expense incurred from accepting credit cards. You can tell the bartender or whoever is charging you that they have no right to do that, alternatively you could also call up visa or whatever card you used and report them, chances are they get hit with a fine and you get your money back since they are, as torte de lini said, violating their agreement. A company like Visa won't be happy that one of their customers was shafted and they lost money because a bar decided to create their own minimum to avoid giving them money that was agreed they would get. Just a small correction, I would assume the credit card service has a fixed charge each time someone pays with a credit/debit card. Making it a percentage would not make any sense since it would add up to the same if you payed 5x $1 or just 1x $5
That's true, I was mainly thinking from where I work. I work at a major electronics chain and I believe they get charged 2.75% regardless. I imagine they have better bargaining positions as opposed to small business owners though.
|
each time the card is swiped the bank company charges the business that is conducting the transaction by an amount. The bank usually enact a very small fee of 25cents or a percentage based however over time this can add up. So in theory in order to compensate the company can request a fee for utilizing the card. They don't have to do it and it isn't a law however they are obligated to inform the consumer of their policy of charging credit/debit and the minimum. It is because of this though business take advantage of and make large amount of profit by essentially forcing you to spend money which is ridiculous. My parents own a small business and we have a card swiper but we aren't douches and pull this crap on customers.
It's a matter of "if you don't like our policy then go somewhere else." Nothing much you can really do about it. I know in Gainesville there is a couple with a 10$ minimum. Very annoying.
tl;dr
Always carry small amount of cash on you. Carrying plastic can be annoying and always ask what the minimum is everywhere because if the cashier fails or forget then it can be a bitch. Tried to fight it once and it was a hassle.
|
@OP - you seem pretty reasonable by saying that if they mentioned the minimum, you would have paid it. In this scenario, since they didn't tell you beforehand, I would have told them - close it, or I'll report this to my card provider.
What RebirthofLegend says is true, and also applies at gas stations that charge more for credit purchases than cash purchases.
|
On September 02 2012 06:36 Truenappa wrote:
Dammit I should really open my own place and do things right.
Finally, somebody on there willing to put their money where their mouth is !!! Let us know how doing things "right" competes against those evil, greedy business owners that have such stupid policies that screw their customers every chance they get.
|
i would have just left the bar at that point, because that's ridiculous. you don't want to go back as it is.
it's not the 10$, it's the principle of the thing. there should have been a sign posted at least.
|
of course, i always pay in cash, so i wouldn't have had that problem
|
I work at a small business in my local town and have a lot of experience with this minimum payment for using a Credit/Debit card.
The issue isn't about them wanting more money from you, which is what it sounds like you think it is, but every time someone uses their card and asks for credit instead of debit or paying cash that business owner has to pay a fee for the credit transaction where with the debit or cash transaction there is no fee for the owner.
So to make it economical for the business owner they have to set up a minimum dollar amount to use credit so they aren't losing money with every swipe. It is convenient for the card owner and it kinda sucks for the business owner whenever someone uses credit because we then have to pay for that transaction.
For all the people saying that there shouldn't be a minimum and the business owners are being fucktards, or it's unfair that they are allowed to do that, just remember that it's a financial thing and no one wants to lose money.
|
the only place that charges minimum that ive run to are bubble tea places here in toronto. and its not because of credit card use, its a minimum charge per person that sits down. but they usually say it right there on the menu.
if the bar didnt put up a sign that said credit card had to be more than 15$, i would tell them to fuck right off, and tell them if they want to lose all of the 15$ go ahead and that ill be calling visa to refund that shit.
|
On September 02 2012 08:20 peekn wrote:
I work at a small business in my local town and have a lot of experience with this minimum payment for using a Credit/Debit card.
The issue isn't about them wanting more money from you, which is what it sounds like you think it is, but every time someone uses their card and asks for credit instead of debit or paying cash that business owner has to pay a fee for the credit transaction where with the debit or cash transaction there is no fee for the owner.
So to make it economical for the business owner they have to set up a minimum dollar amount to use credit so they aren't losing money with every swipe. It is convenient for the card owner and it kinda sucks for the business owner whenever someone uses credit because we then have to pay for that transaction.
For all the people saying that there shouldn't be a minimum and the business owners are being fucktards, or it's unfair that they are allowed to do that, just remember that it's a financial thing and no one wants to lose money.
while that makes sense, i dont think it really takes a minimum 15$ charge in order for them to not lose money in OP's case.
|
United States22154 Posts
|
Happened to me at a restaurant. I wanted to use my credit card to pay for my $17-ish dollar meal, but they didn't accept credit cards for anything under $25. Ended up just pooling money with a friend, (got a little complicated). There's usually something on the menu that tells you about these conditions, but yeah, it sucks. Perfectly legal, though, so long as it's posted somewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
