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Jenn (![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} wankaholic) wrote in ![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/community.gif){kind=small} otf_wank,@ 2006-08-31 11:16:00 |
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Visa!wank
infrogpajamas posts to pittsburgh telling the community how she "stuck it to the man," refusing to make a purchase at a local bookstore after they informed her of their "minimum purchase" policy.
When I went to check out, my total was 6.48.
The woman would not let me use my bank card or credit card, stating she had a "minimum purchase" of 10 dollars, but prefers 15.
I informed her I would be calling Visa to let them know because it's against their contracted agreement. Any merchant who accepts Visa is contracted to abide by their Terms of Service (I know b/c my family owns a business and I've talked with them about this before). It states very clearly in the TOS that merchants are not allowed to do this.
Here's what Visa says about it:
Minimum Purchase
Visa merchants are not permitted to establish minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items. They also are not permitted to charge you a fee when you want to use your Visa card.
If you run into a problem like this with a merchant, please notify the financial institution that issued you your Visa card. These institutions have access to the appropriate Visa rules and regulations and can help you document and file your complaint. You'll find their address and/or telephone number on your Visa statement. Their telephone number may also appear on the back of the card itself.
Anyways, I emailed the owner about this when I got home, and they haven't responded. I called and the woman who answered hung up on me.
I have made the complaint through my card issuer, and now have a number to call Visa corporate to speak with a representative there. They said that if they get any more complaints that the bookshop can lose its merchant processing contract, etc.
Now I'm feeling somewhat guilty about causing trouble, but I'm also still really salty about the situation because I don't carry cash and I really wanted those books. The woman was rude to me, and I don't think I'll ever go back there, but I still feel like doing something.
That experience totally ruined my entire day in the city, even though I ended up eating at Girasole and had an otherwise OK day.
Anyone else ever have a bad experience like this? Anyone know of other places that charge minumum purchases for credit cards? I think I'd rather just avoid this kind of situation in the future altogether.
From the first comment, things get wanky.
Bound to grow, as it's recently been linked on customers_suck.
infrogpajamas posts to pittsburgh telling the community how she "stuck it to the man," refusing to make a purchase at a local bookstore after they informed her of their "minimum purchase" policy. When I went to check out, my total was 6.48.
The woman would not let me use my bank card or credit card, stating she had a "minimum purchase" of 10 dollars, but prefers 15.
I informed her I would be calling Visa to let them know because it's against their contracted agreement. Any merchant who accepts Visa is contracted to abide by their Terms of Service (I know b/c my family owns a business and I've talked with them about this before). It states very clearly in the TOS that merchants are not allowed to do this.
Here's what Visa says about it:
Minimum Purchase
Visa merchants are not permitted to establish minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items. They also are not permitted to charge you a fee when you want to use your Visa card.
If you run into a problem like this with a merchant, please notify the financial institution that issued you your Visa card. These institutions have access to the appropriate Visa rules and regulations and can help you document and file your complaint. You'll find their address and/or telephone number on your Visa statement. Their telephone number may also appear on the back of the card itself.
Anyways, I emailed the owner about this when I got home, and they haven't responded. I called and the woman who answered hung up on me.
I have made the complaint through my card issuer, and now have a number to call Visa corporate to speak with a representative there. They said that if they get any more complaints that the bookshop can lose its merchant processing contract, etc.
Now I'm feeling somewhat guilty about causing trouble, but I'm also still really salty about the situation because I don't carry cash and I really wanted those books. The woman was rude to me, and I don't think I'll ever go back there, but I still feel like doing something.
That experience totally ruined my entire day in the city, even though I ended up eating at Girasole and had an otherwise OK day.
Anyone else ever have a bad experience like this? Anyone know of other places that charge minumum purchases for credit cards? I think I'd rather just avoid this kind of situation in the future altogether.
From the first comment, things get wanky.
Bound to grow, as it's recently been linked on customers_suck.
