https://www.lawpay.com/about/blog/credit-card-surcharge-rule...
If you don't believe parent, and you don't believe me, I hope you believe Visa's own FAQ.
> Q. Can I add a surcharge to card transactions?
> As a result of a legal settlement to resolve claims brought by a group of U.S. merchants, merchants in the U.S. and U.S. territories may add a surcharge to certain credit card transactions, starting January 27, 2013. Merchants who choose to surcharge must follow consumer disclosure and other requirements agreed to as part of the settlement.
[1] https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/download/merchants/surcharging...
Just because it is legal, doesn't mean they are doing it right -- and in my limited experience, they usually aren't.
In this case the contract is that 1) you tell them you're doing this and 2) that it is capped to a certain amount and 3) you are visibly doing it and the customer is properly informed.
These are all pretty reasonable contractual terms, IMHO.
No, I can't.
If you have me sign a contract that says "refurb agrees to no longer walk in exchange for $50,000", that will not be enforceable in court.
https://blog.ipleaders.in/unenforceable-contracts-what-you-n...
You said "If you want to have fun, you can report them to Visa/MC and watch that go away within a few days.", so no, if they are following the contract terms, it won't go away.
And Visa isn't able to include a blanket ban on surcharges due to changes in the law that would make such a contract illegal and unenforceable.
[1] https://www.atlantafed.org/blogs/take-on-payments/2018/04/30...
The exception to that is American Express directly issued cards and American Express merchant contracts have had such terms at least in the past. Not sure if they still do.
And hence why in developing countries only luxury and ultra-luxury establishments accept AMEX cards.
This has begun. Many restaurants near me have a credit card fee, as does at least one car repair place.
No fee of paying with cash/debit.