to not just buy one thing on a card, i.e, something for one pound,, but have to buy a couple

[slartybartfast]

I am embarrassed to put such a minuscule amount on a card. go to supermarket for just one packet of value bacon was the thing in question.
DH says everyone does it and I shouldnt feel ashamed.

[slartybartfast]

i remember a long time ago being really shocked that someone put something like £1.75 on a credit card, it was less common years ago. now it is very common. but unless I use self service, i find it difficult.

as it was, after buying my extras I got money off with necter points and my shopping was 65p! I did use a card - yay!

[60sname]

Why not use contactless? I use it for most of my small transactions now - much quicker than rummaging for change (unlike waiting for the card to go in, enter PIN etc. Plus my account tracks my sundry payments so I know where it goes.

[wowfudge]

I don't like contact less payments - not sure why, but I don't.

Those of you paying card processing charges in your businesses, do you either factor in those costs when pricing or take the hit on your profits because they are an operating cost?

[PhaedraIsMyName]

If the shop hasn't imposed a minimum spend amount they clearly don't care and neither should you.

If the shop has imposed a minimum spend it's because of the charges they incur so you really have no option other than buying something else.

[fuzzpig]

I used to volunteer in a charity shop (BHF) and customers were frequently amazed that we had NO minimum spend for credit/debit cards! Whereas in the library I work in, it's a minimum of a fiver.

[fuzzpig]

Minimum spends are in general much less common now though, in shops anyway. I'm sure they were more usual when I first started using a debit card in the late 90s.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

There are a vast array of merchant services companies for business's to use. Some will likely sign up for one that doesn't meet their requirements and fee's will be higher for them. Or their receipts change over time. Most will be in medium-long term contracts that are impossible difficult to get out of early.

I imagine the big supermarkets do not have pay-per-transaction type set-ups. Smaller shops may still have minimum spend limits imposed on them (ie they are actually charged extra for accepting lower amounts)

All too often these things are set up by small business owners when they first start out and are seen as easy pickings by the merchant service providers iyswim.

[roofio87]

I bought a 35p pack of chewing gum yesterday and got £20 cash back!!

[maggiethemagpie]

Why would anyone care whether you put 50 p or £50 on a card transaction??? what a bizzare AIBU!

[maggiethemagpie]

Minimum spends really annoy me. Or worse, the charge for spending less than the minimum spend. In a cocktail bar once I ordered a £9 cocktail and was told I'd have to spend 50p as it was below their minimum of £10. I waited til he'd poured it then told him that I wasn't willing to pay the extra charge and would go elsewhere - so they wasted a £9 cocktail due to being grabby.

[TheSkiingGardener]

those saying "Just use contactless" please bear in mind that not everybody has it. I have 3 cards, with major issuers and not one will offer me contactless. Hmph