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JPLalonde
Jan 8, 2018 6:44 AM UTC
Solved

Credit card fees

Is there a way to automatically charge an extra percentage to the invoice when the client decides to pay by credit card?  It is commonly done in many invoicing systems but I could not find how to do it with QB.  

 

 

      Rustler
      RustlerAnswer
      Jan 8, 2018 2:06 PM UTC

      No it casn not be done in QB

      and if you are in the US, it may be illegel to do so

       

      Surcharging for using a CC card is illegal in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.

      You can however offer a discount for cash in those states - except in New York where no cash discounts are allowed

      New fed laws went into effect in Jan, 2013 allowing surcharges providing the retailer
      make customers aware up front that there is a surcharge and how much for using a CC - at the store entrance and at the cash register or if an online store at the first reference to accepting CC for sales

      You can not use a surcharge for debit cards or prepaid cards (so personally I do not see how you could do this surcharge thing with online payments anyway)
      surcharge fees must be itemized on the receipt, in store or online

      an overview
      http://www.cardfellow.com/charging-customers-a-credit-card-convenience-fee-at-check-out/



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      5 replies

      Rustler
      RustlerAnswer
      Jan 8, 2018 2:06 PM UTC

      No it casn not be done in QB

      and if you are in the US, it may be illegel to do so

       

      Surcharging for using a CC card is illegal in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.

      You can however offer a discount for cash in those states - except in New York where no cash discounts are allowed

      New fed laws went into effect in Jan, 2013 allowing surcharges providing the retailer
      make customers aware up front that there is a surcharge and how much for using a CC - at the store entrance and at the cash register or if an online store at the first reference to accepting CC for sales

      You can not use a surcharge for debit cards or prepaid cards (so personally I do not see how you could do this surcharge thing with online payments anyway)
      surcharge fees must be itemized on the receipt, in store or online

      an overview
      http://www.cardfellow.com/charging-customers-a-credit-card-convenience-fee-at-check-out/



        Team_Merchant
        Team_Merchant
        Jan 8, 2018 6:19 PM UTC

         Rustler covered most of the key points and the info he linked should be helpful. I would recommend speaking with an attorney about what your specific options are, especially if you have customers in multiple states. Also, be certain that this "cash discount" does not become a profit center. IE, if your average monthly effective rate for credit card fees is 2.1% and you attach a 5% cash discount, that could become an issue. Finally, with the way the industry has adpoted "cash discounting", I wouldn't be surprised to see a pushback from the card companies and regulators at some point in the future. Visa, MC, etc. don't want consumers knowing that merchants pay for their rewards and cash back. 

         

        The simplest option is to just raise prices 2-3% across the board, if that's possible.

          JPLalondeAuthor
          Jan 9, 2018 4:22 AM UTC

          Thank you both for your comments. Much appreciated.

           

          I have clients in multiple States and Countries.  In my State, it is most likely legal to do so as I get invoices with either a flat rate or a percentage surcharge for credit card payment.  Regardless, it seems to be a complex matter.  Not many clients pay me with a credit card and my loss of income would definitely be less than the cost of an attorney.

           

          I may stop accepting credit cards as it is not a popular choice or charge more to all my clients to recover the loss of credit card processing fees.

           

          Again, thank you for your knowledge and recommendations.

           

           

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            Mar 30, 2021 3:23 PM UTC

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