> and now, the latest thing is that shops, businesses etc may pass on > the % fee they are charged by the card company, onto the customer, so > your goods may cost an extra 3%.
Some of our shops used to do it; sometimes for all purchases, sometimes only for small-amount purchases. But I haven't seen it done in years; people were refusing to use the credit card in their stores, but they had to pay a fee to the issuer anyway. I can't remember which company it is (either John Lewis or Debenhams) add at the bottom of their credit card receipts that a portion of the credit card bill includes a 3?% credit card charge. (It is not in addition to but is part of the original bill). I discovered that this was itemised because VAT is not charged on credit card fees. Therefore if you buy something for say � 10.00 with your credit card, there is an in built credit card charge of 30 pence. You still only pay � 10.00 but they can claw back the VAT element hidden in the 30 pence credit charge. Crafty! Not a lot you might think. But take that figure and then multiply it by the millions of pounds turnover they do per year and it adds up to quite a significant sum. I have noticed other companies doing it, H Samual (the jewellers), PC World, for example; probably for the same reasons. Although I think they may be owned by the same ultimate company. I think customs are having a bit of a winge about it and they are actually challenging it so it may alter in the future. Incidently at the moment, in this country at any rate, shops are not allowed to pass on the credit card charges to customers its part of the terms and conditions of running a credit card facility in your company. Jane Bawn Portchester UK To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
