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ReadersSpeak




        Surcharging in 2020                                     This is so for a couple of reasons. Many retailers, especially
                                                                small and midsize businesses, fear consumers will object
              've heard conflicting things about surcharging card   to the practice and take their business to merchants who
              transactions.  Apparently, it's legal now, but word   don't surcharge. Others fear that if surcharging gains wide
              doesn't seem to have filtered down to Main Street   acceptance, it will signal to the card brands and issuing
        I merchants. Is it really legal, and how feasible is it?  banks that they can increase fees even more.

                                                  Tom Lydon     Surcharging  is, however, taking hold among merchants
                                  Merchant Level Salesperson    who have not previously accepted credit cards because
        Tom,                                                    they didn't want to pay the related fees. It is also gaining
                                                                steam in B2B payments where parties hit with surcharging
        The major card brands banned imposing surcharges on     fees are  unlikely to bolt  because  switching  to  another
        card payments until 2013, when they revised their rules   service or materials provider would disrupt the supply
        to allow the practice. However, surcharging of credit card   chain. And some philanthropic nonprofits can make a
        payments was illegal in 11 U.S. states until 2017, when the   good case for passing on the fee to donors because more
        Supreme Court struck down a New York anti-surcharging   money will then be going toward their cause.
        law. Surcharging debit card payments, however, remains
        illegal across the board.                               Whether surcharging will eventually become palatable
                                                                to most consumers is an open question, but there are
        Now, the only remaining states whose anti-surcharge laws   service providers who can make the process seamless for
        impede adoption are Kansas, Colorado, Massachusetts     merchants who choose to try it.
        and Connecticut. However, efforts to enable surcharging
        in those states are ongoing, and it is generally accepted   Your views
        that, given the Supreme Court's 2017 decision, those states   Tell us about your experiences with surcharging, cash
        will ultimately allow the practice, too. Legalities aside,   discounting or other current industry developments at
        however, surcharging is not necessarily the right solution   greensheet@greensheet.com.
        for all merchants who want relief from interchange fees.



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