Kittwazzer wrote:Whenever payment is made by Credit Card, the retailer is charged a fee by the Card Provider. By this method, the card provider can ensure a profit from its customers who clear their outstanding balance every month. This can be between 1% and 5%. If the retailer wishes to pass this on, I believe they must inform the customer at point of sale. Asda, for instance, does not impose this charge at the checkout as they would simply lose too much trade. However, they will not accept payment for tobacco or cigarettes by Credit Card as the mark up would not cover the charge.
If you check your till receipt many retailers are actually charging you the fee. The receipt will say for example something like "Your total bill is £10.99, 2.5% of which you agree to pay to the card company" in a footnote. I forget the exact wording but the point is although you just bought something that had a list price of £10.99 with a card you are not penalised for doing so compared to someone who handed over £10.99 in cash. The price to you is the same whichever way you pay. The retailer takes the hit of the fee but for some reason they tell you it was actually you that paid it! In effect they sold you the goods for less then charged you the fee.
Wigan RL have chosen not to take the hit.
Debit Cards are an entirely different matter. It is the more up to date equivalent of paying by cheque. No charge should be levied for this method of payment because, from a retailers point of view, it is far more economical than handling the equivalent amount of cash. Electronic transactions cost peanuts by comparison. Going back to Asda, it is the reason why they always invite you to take cash on top of paying your bill; it reduces their cash handling costs!
It's more economical than handling cheques as well. Costs more to process cheques than a debit card payment yet there is no surcharge for cheques (or cash).
If a charge is being levied, it is probably classed as a telephone booking charge and would perhaps cover the time and manpower to take details over the phone and complete the slip.
That said, it is still a rip off if you are charged per ticket and not per transaction!
And yes, I was a BANKER. Some would argue that I still am!!
If you pay on-line there should be no charge for debit cards. It's the cheapest method of payment both to the club and the their bank.
Dave
