A Russian food store I used to frequent now charges a customer service charge at checkout

@lovebuglena (43074)
Staten Island, New York
July 30, 2018 3:24pm CST
In Brooklyn (NYC) there is a popular Russian neighborhood called Brighton Beach. The entire street of Brighton Beach Avenue is filled with Russian food stores, restaurants and other businesses. I used to go there for food shopping in the past. One of the food stores that I used to frequent now put up a sign letting customers know that a 3.99% customer service charge will be applied to all the sales at this store. Those paying with cash will get a 3.99% discount applied during checkout. This means that those that don't have cash on them (or enough of it) and have to pay with their credit/debit cards will have to pay a 3.99% fee. I know that the store pays a fee for every swipe of the credit or debit card transaction that happens at the store. So, it seems that now they are making customers pay it, though I am not sure if 3.99% is the exact fee that the store pays for every card transaction. I have never come across a business that has customers pay a fee for using their card to make a purchase with the exception of paying a parking or camera violation ticket or property tax online via the NYC government website. It is crazy for a store to do this. And to call it a "customer service charge" is ridiculous. What service are they providing aside from checking you out? None! Apparently, they are legally allowed to do that, especially since they display a notice letting customers know about it. Would you shop at a store that charges you 3.99% or any other % for that matter for using your card to check out? I wouldn't. Out of principle. And for the fact that I never carry much cash in my wallet...
2 people like this
3 responses
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
30 Jul 18
Why only this store is charging this fee while others are not doing so? Are they not afraid of losing the customers?
@lovebuglena (43074)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jul 18
I heard from others that apparently they are not the only store there to do this. But the person that talked about this mentioned this store specifically because she went there and saw the sign and wanted to share with others.
1 person likes this
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
30 Jul 18
@lovebuglena , If that is the case, then why so much of fuss? Along with others these people are also charging that fee to their customers and it is legal too, so where is the escape when everybody is doing the same thing!
@lovebuglena (43074)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jul 18
@AKRao24 Either suck it up and shop there or go to another store that doesn't charge a fee. On the other hand if this particular store (and maybe others) give a discount for paying with cash just pay with cash. You get what you need at the store you usually shop and save money while you are at it. Just have to make sure you have enough cash on you before you go there to shop.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115992)
• United States
30 Jul 18
I wouldn't pay that. I would either pay cash or I would let them know that I was no longer shopping there due to that stupid policy.
@lovebuglena (43074)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jul 18
I don't know if I'd inform the store I won't be shopping there. I don't think they'd care.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115992)
• United States
30 Jul 18
@lovebuglena They might. They should know if their policy is driving business away.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (40440)
• United States
30 Jul 18
Some stores charge extra if you use debit or credit cards. I think there is a lot of greed going on. You already pay a high price for merchandise and the taxes on most of it.
@akalinus (40440)
• United States
30 Jul 18
@lovebuglena It seems that every place wants as much of your money as possible. They are in business for a reason but sometimes they drive away customers.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43074)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Jul 18
Really? I did not know this. I am aware of minimums to use the card. Some require a minimum of $5 purchase to you use a card. Some require $10. And I've seen others require $15 or more.
1 person likes this