Minimum Purchases on Debt Card

[myrdale]

As a carrier of a VISA debt card, it is my understanding that VISA has guaranteed me a hassle free shop experience with no minimum purchases anywhere VISA is accepted.

There are many gas stations which have posted "Minimum purchase $3". For the most part I have ignored these because after the purchase of a coke and bag of chips you're already over that.

This past weekend, I went into a gas station I have shopped at for years to purchase a pack of gummy worms as a prank gift for a friend, $1.50. When I pulled out my debt card to pay the cashier refused to run it. I asked to speak with the manager an she got him on the phone. He too refused the sale. I tried explaining that though they can charge minimum purchases on credit cards, up to $10 I believe, they can not do so with VISA debt. To do such is a breach of contract law on their end. I listened as he tried to explain his fees, but ultimately his fees aren't my problem.

I have bought thousands of dollars of gasoline from this location. Though I have cut back, I probably would spend $20 a week or more on junk food in the past.

You can say I should have just purchased a coke or something else, but I didn't need or want anything else at that time.

I have the choice to never shop there again, which is one I very well may take. But I do feel this is a case of a merchant behaving badly.

I have seen there is a website for specifically reporting such activity. Has anyone ever done this? Am I mistaken in my understanding?

[disneysteve]

It isn't illegal but it does violate their merchant agreement with Visa or MasterCard. You can report it to your card company.

I've never used a debit card so no, I've never had an issue or had to report anything.

[Smallsteps]

do they have a debit system that takes your entering a pin? There are a few different cheap systems anyone can get and start taking cards but they are all processed as credit.
Some smaller businesses in my area use something like "SQUARE" and it only processes ALL cards as credit no debit option.
A small cafe here even has you sign on their cellphone.

While I agree it might violate their agreement if they have a pin entering option... proving it might be difficult. Most likely will be explained away as a misunderstanding.

I am seeing more and more of this signs that require a minimum purchase or sometimes a processing fee just for using a card.
This was very common when places started taking cards seemed to go away for awhile now it is back.

[disneysteve]

I am seeing more and more of this signs that require a minimum purchase or sometimes a processing fee just for using a card.
This was very common when places started taking cards seemed to go away for awhile now it is back.

The law changed in 2013 so merchants are now allowed to have a minimum for credit card purchases but not for debit. The problem is they usually lump all card purchases together so they don't have to sit there and figure out which kind of card it is for every transaction. I imagine it also avoids arguments if the customer in front of you buys a gumball with his debit card and then you get told you can't use your credit card to buy a gumball because there's a minimum purchase requirement. Just make it the same across the board.

[cypher1]

Couldn't you just buy an extra item, and then return it for a refund? Petty, but if they're going to be difficult, make it worth the transaction for them to do the extra work.

[myrdale]

Couldn't you just buy an extra item, and then return it for a refund? Petty, but if they're going to be difficult, make it worth the transaction for them to do the extra work.

First and foremost I wasn't "trying" to be petty, or cause problems, or pick a fight. I was, within reason, polite though the entire discussion.

VISA wants me to use my debt card so they can collect a fee from the merchant every time it is run. If I paid with cash, VISA would miss out on their fee.

When the merchant signed up for the card reading service, they agreed to VISA's terms.

I did report it though the VISA website. They stated on the site that there is no means to get an update or status of the report. I don't know if anyone will ever read the report, or if it is saved in a file with thousands of others never to be seen by human eyes. I'll give it 6 weeks or so but otherwise I do not plan on dealing with this merchant again.

[kork13]

I'll give it 6 weeks or so but otherwise I do not plan on dealing with this merchant again.

Really, this is the best option. Talk with your feet (and your money). They probably won't notice any one individual who stops coming, but a business that doesn't follow fair/reasonable business practices will generally drive away its own customers over time.

[cypher1]

First and foremost I wasn't "trying" to be petty, or cause problems, or pick a fight. I was, within reason, polite though the entire discussion.

I wasn't implying you were being petty. I simply meant you could be petty and buy another item to cover their minimum, only to make them return the item. It's more work. But to prove a point, that's something I'd probably would do for the principle, and then never give them my business again.

[ua_guy]

I don't disagree that's a violation of their merchant agreement.

But wanted to point out that using a debit card and running debit transactions is extremely high risk. The agreements are different and if you get hit with fraud and someone sucks money off the card, there's a good chance you won't get it back. I always use a credit card for card purchases. The agreements are generally hold-harmless if there's fraud on your account.