2 Teir Gas Pricing in Texas? Credit vs Debit

[john398]

Went to get gas today at Tom Thumb(Safeway) and they now have a 10 cent porice difference between debit cards vs credit cards, never thought they do that here

[Brusilov]

I thought it was against the credit card agreements to price differently depending on method of payment?

[09Lexie]

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@Brusilov wrote:

I thought it was against the credit card agreements to price differently depending on method of payment?

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IIRC, the surcharge has to be consistent with all credit cards.  In other words,  the merchant couldn't offer an increase on Amex only unless the same increase was for VISA/MC etc. 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. 

[Darrell82]

They do that In Virginia as well. There is a truck stop I know that has a good difference in price between credit and cash users. But only for the diesel fuel. Regular gas is same price either way you pay. 

[NotUsher]

Saw this on the news the other day:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/Tom-Thumb-Gas-Stations-Charging-More-for-Credit-Card-Customers-...

Seems it's not so much a surcharge for CC sales as it is a discount for cash/debit - similar to what you see at liquor stores like Specs or Top Wine.

[09Lexie]

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@NotUsher wrote:

Saw this on the news the other day:

http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/Tom-Thumb-Gas-Stations-Charging-More-for-Credit-Card-Customers-...

Seems it's not so much a surcharge for CC sales as it is a discount for cash/debit - similar to what you see at liquor stores like Specs or Top Wine.

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Aw, yes...discount. 

[Darrell82]

HAHAHA discount .. Thats funny. Yeah i think that is a better way to put it then saying we are now going to charge you as a credit card holder more because they have to pay a fee for credit swipes and is now handing it down to the consumer to pay for them.

[enharu]

Its somewhat shady to label it as a discount, but it's not entirely wrong either. Even when shopping at certain stores, they are willing to absorb sales tax or offer some discount if the transaction is done in cash. It may be to avoid swipe fees, or just that they plan to report less taxes.

[Too_much_debt]

Been like that in Michigan for forever.

[user5387]

This issue came up as part of an antitrust suit against MasterCard and Visa.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/14/business/mastercard-and-visa-settle-antitrust-suit.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/17/business/merchants-consider-credit-card-surcharges-or-cash-discoun...