Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Ampm credit card fee violates California law


I  visited an Ampm store the other day in Long Beach, California, and was surprised that the store has a 95-cent fee for using a credit card.

This is against California law.

California Civil Code section 1748.1 reads:"No retailer in any sales, service, or lease transaction with a consumer may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means."

I told the clerk that the fee was against the law. She just shrugged her shoulders and said it was Ampm policy.

The problem with these sort of fees is that they're so insidious. Obviously, 95 cents is no big deal for a single consumer. But by multiplying that small amount by thousands or millions of transactions, Ampm is vastly enriching itself – while breaking the law.


I sent an online complaint to the California attorney general, and also sent an email to Ampm about this. I'll let you know if I get any response.

You'll find more info on the surcharge law at the attorney general's website: 
California credit card fee law 
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