Nursery only accepting payment by bank transfer

[RavenAndBust]

As it says above-- I assume, as a money saving measure (to avoid PayPal and Merchant card fees), our Nursery has now said they only accept monthly payments via bank transfer.

Now, this is never usually an issue! We always pay on time, and via bank transfer, since they began asking for it a few months ago.

HOWEVER: Cue car trouble. Thousands of pounds outlaid to rescue it. Fine. Okay. I'll pay the nursery bills on credit card this month, and we'll catch up next month.

...but I can't pay by credit card because they only accept bank transfer.

Would I be unreasonable to ask if I can pay them via card this month? And would they legally be allowed to refuse?

I very much appreciate them trying to retain as much of their income as possible; it's expensive running a nursery! But life happens to us too, you know?

Add the credit card to your PayPal account. Send the nursery money from your PayPal to your husband or relative. They then transfer the money to your bank.

I've done this many times!

This lol I used to send it to my partner and he'd transfer me it.

How would they legally be allowed to refuse? Think it through.

Would you go to a shop that has no facility to take credit cards and expect them to what? Be legally obligated to set up a system they dont want, don't need, might not even be able to be accepted for?

You can't be serious

It costs businesses to take card payments. There is a monthly fee for the terminal and then a percentage charge per transaction. For a smaller company, such as a nursery, this can be a considerable unnecessary cost. I used to work for a company where various people were taking card payments and the paper slips didn't always make it to the accounts office so we didn't know who the payment had come from. Bank transfers have a name or reference on them so it's immediately clear who has made the payment.

Sometimes in the past we have been a bit short, and have contacted our mortgage company for a one off payment holiday . Do you have anything of value jewellery wise ? Pawn shops will do 6 months terms .Will your family be able to help with a loan at all

The vast vast majority of parents pay via tax free childcare, vouchers or funded hours these days. I only have one that pays via bank transfer because mum earns over £100k so isn't eligible. Doubt that's your issue if you're so strapped for cash.

I'm a childminder and have no facility to take credit card payments, how could it be illegal?