Rockland Writes: Stop Overcharging for Credit Card Swipes

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter with great disappointment during this busy shopping season. I believe what I am bringing up is not only my own concern, but something many others feel as well.

In just one day, I personally witnessed several businesses taking advantage of customers by charging extra fees for using a credit card - not in a small way, but on a large scale, clearly as a money grab to profit a little more from every sale.

First, it was a kaparah center that charged a $2 fee on each ticket (kaparah) I needed, even though I paid for them all in one swipe. Later, at a sukkah center, I was asked to pay as much as $15 just for using my credit card!

A small $1 fee is common and more understandable, but demanding more than that is simply taking advantage of people, especially during these hectic days when most of us don’t have the time to run home for cash. We swipe and move on, and end up paying the price for others’ greed.

Let’s be honest: without credit card machines, many of these centers and stores would struggle to do business. It benefits them far more than it benefits us. With a cash-only system, they’d lose countless sales. Yet instead of appreciating the convenience that helps their businesses thrive, they choose to gain even more from our usage and charge unfairly.

I won’t even go into the legal questions here. At the very least, just be a mentch - especially during these holy days!

Sincerely,

A Concerned Resident

illustration photo: Shutterstock