ojf1982 0 #1 November 7, 2001 why do most DZs (at least the ones ive been to) charge more when paying by credit cards? These are the only establishments that when i pay with a credit or debit card that charge like 4% of the total.Ive just wondering.P.S. this is my 50th posting, NO MORE NEWBIE!!Blue Skies,Omar A-39113, B-pending Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #2 November 7, 2001 Because the Credit Card companies charge the DZO a % for the privledge to be able to accept the certain cards. I hope this clears it up for you. Not all DZ's do this.My New Website with 24hr Chat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ojf1982 0 #3 November 7, 2001 but why dont other establishments charge the same fee? Ive only seen this fee at DZs, but why when i pay for a pack of cigarettes at a gas station they dont charge me 4%.Blue Skies,Omar A-39113, B-pending Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #4 November 7, 2001 Not all dz's do that, but all credit card companies do. Sigh. Getcha coming and going.......Ciels-Michele"What of the dreams that never die? Turn to your left at the end of the sky". ~e e cummings~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #5 November 7, 2001 To me mixing DZ's with CC's is like mixing drug with alchol. It may seem good at the time but it only leads to trouble in the end. Hey if you gotta do it then do it. But if Icant afford to whip out some cash for jumping then I guess I dont jump that day. Just my opinion! And not to bragg but my credit is perfect because of this philosopy. jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #6 November 7, 2001 It all has to do with volumes of transactions. DZ's have a small number (relatively) of CC transactions per day, so they pay a higher fee per transaction than say, Target or Wal-mart. That is one contributing factor, plus factor in that (in theory) DZ margins are much tighter than other places. Without that CC surcharge, some places might actually be technically paying YOU to use the card(3% markup-4% fee... oops now 1% below "cost"), as the margin might be below the 4% they have to pay the CC company.I dont agree, but I understand. just my .02 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #7 November 7, 2001 One reason that you don't get a "cash discount" at a lot of places is because large companies with lots of locations (gas stations, restaurants, Walmart, etc.) have enough volume in sales that the credit card companies cut them a pretty huge break on transaction fees. Smaller volume sellers just can't afford it. From what I've heard about the profit margins on jump tix, a 4% fee from the credit card company could eat up most of the DZ's profit on the jump, so they have to charge you more.--Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Topcat 0 #8 November 7, 2001 Many places don't do this because it is against the policy of the credit card companies. Gas stations used to have 2 prices: one for credit and one for cash - the cc companies cracked down on this. My dz will accept visa and MC and not charge extra, but we decided not to accept AmEx because their rates are higher.Do your dz's bottom line a favor and pay in cash. -Sandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Topcat 0 #9 November 7, 2001 Decided to do some more research. Found this on Mastercard's website:Can a merchant charge me a fee to use my MasterCard card?Can a merchant require a minimum purchase amount to use my MasterCard card? The answer to the first question is almost never; the answer to the second question is not ever. Merchants must follow certain acceptance rules in order to be granted the privilege of accepting MasterCard cards. One of these rules specifically prohibits the practice of surcharging, that is, charging a customer a fee for using a MasterCard card over and above the sale amount. Under very specific conditions, however, a merchant can charge customers - including those using a MasterCard card - a fee in addition to the transaction amount. As a general rule, such a fee doesn't violate the MasterCard rules provided the fee is charged to all customers engaging in the same transaction, regardless of the form of payment. Keep in mind, however, that it is not a violation of the MasterCard rules for a merchant to offer customers a price discount for payment in cash, provided payment by MasterCard card is on at least as favorable terms as payment by any other means. Another MasterCard acceptance rule prohibits merchants that accept MasterCard cards from establishing any minimum amount below which the merchant won't accept payment via MasterCard card. If a merchant displays a decal with the MasterCard logo to indicate that MasterCard cards are accepted, that merchant can not condition a sale based upon the cardholder disclosing any other information or identification, except under very specific conditions, such as when merchant needs to deliver merchandise to the cardholder's home or business. It's not always easy to tell whether a merchant is complying with MasterCard acceptance rules. It's important to MasterCard that you are treated fairly and in accordance with those acceptance rules when you shop using your MasterCard card. I *think* this means that surcharges are allowed as long as they have the same surcharge for anything but cash. Does this apply to checks? Beats me, I guess you would have to ask them.-Sandy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallinWoman 1 #10 November 7, 2001 At my DZ, they charge 3% on CC transactions.Remember that your DZ is making almost no money off you as soon as you have your own gear and are no longer a student. That $18 lift ticket just barely covers the plane, hangar, pilot, fuel, electricity, heat, toilet paper,.... If you give 3% to MasterCard, then they lost money on your jump!Pay in cash, your DZO will love you for it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #11 November 7, 2001 At the DZ's I frequent, they charge 3% for CC charges, but do NOT charge for a debit card charges...MarcBecause I fly, I envy no man on earth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #12 November 7, 2001 last I heard it was against MC's merchant agreement to charge more for a CC purchase.... HOWEVER... giving a "cash discount" can be construed as acceptable, but its still a grey area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #13 November 8, 2001 Yeah. I have a friend that used to work for Visa. Same deal. It technically violated the merchant's agreement if they had a "credit card surcharge". The could have a standard price and have a cash discount, but that was sort of iffy too. My home DZ charges extra for using a credit card, so I don't use one. It would be my preference to charge everything, even if I had cash in my pocket. Charge it all, pay it off every month, and get my free perks. 2% back at Amazon, 1% back in free gasoline, 1% back at Toys R Us, whatever. I'm at the point now where a "regular" credit card that has no substantial benefit is a waste of time. I'm the person they hate, because I rack up the freebies without ever paying a dime in interest. But statistically, I'm the exception.I can understand why DZs don't want to hurt their already-small margins, but I wish it was the same for credit.JustinMy Homepage Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
