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From: djc@sun.uucp (David J. Cardinal)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Cash-payers: take note
Message-ID: <898@sun.uucp>
Date: Tue, 17-Apr-84 19:46:03 EST
Article-I.D.: sun.898
Posted: Tue Apr 17 19:46:03 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 18-Apr-84 08:23:39 EST
References: <607@pyuxqq.UUCP> <248@stcvax.UUCP> <32@stat-l>
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Lines: 29

When visiting the California wine country last weekend,
we were informed that most vineyards had a "surcharge"
of 2% or 3% for credit card purchases.

When we asked about the "law", we were told that it
was merely "an advisory" and not a "real law".

Does anyone know the scoop on this?

P.S.  I got my post cards from AmEx, but elected not to
      send them in due to the clearly hype (and in my opinion,
      bogus) nature of their reasoning.
      
      It is clear to me that merchants have a cost in dealing
      with credit card companies, and if they want to 
      pass it through, it seems like their right, although
      I enjoy the convenience of a credit card.
      
P.P.S.Do MasterCard and VISA guarantee payment to the merchant
      in the case of non-payment by the consumer?  I have
      a recollection that they didn't used to, but if they
      absorb the float time, etc., it seems that they must
      pay off before the customer does.
      
P.P.P.S.  What, if any, are the surcharges merchants pay
      to credit card companies on credit card purchases
      (or to re-phrase--do they get a full 100% of the amount)?
      
curious--  dave cardinal ({ucbvax|allegra}!sun!djc)