As a small business owner, I can tell you that the fees are crazy. I have a minimum purchase amount ($5.00) for a credit card with no cash back. Also, if you want to cash a check, you have to purchase atleast $5.00 or I will charge you three dollars to cash the check.
I know some ppl have an issue with these practices but here is the bottom line.
Just to scan your CC, it costs a business 75 cents plus 2% of the sell. That is not including the supplies or the direct line used to place the call (must have a dedicated line). I have had customers come in and get a newspaper (50 cents) or a can of pop (75 cents) and want to charge it. I could raise the prices...I probably should raise the prices to cover those items but I haven't as of yet. A can of pop costs me 59 cents so should I add the my profit margin plus the 2% plus the 75 cents it costs me to scan the CC. Now instead of a customer paying 75 cents a can, the customer will be paying $1.52 for that can of pop. WOW, I don't think I will be selling very many cans of pop.
I have a very small percentage of customers who chose to use a CC for their purchases. Maybe I should be like gas stations and charge the CC customers more than the cash paying customers. Gas stations do this all the time and I don't blame them. There is very lil profit to the actually station owners...the make pennies on the dollar per gallon.
Ethically, I know it is wrong to put a minimum that you can charge but I'd like to stay in business for all my customers all the while not going under because of credit card companies. It took me until this year to FINALLY get a CC machine in because of the astronomical charges from the CC companies. At this point and time, I don't fell it is right to raise all of my prices.....for all of my customers....because a select few want to charge their purchases. How is that fair to the cash paying customers?
Currently, we have the average charges of less than $125.00 a day. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 9-11 customers per day. My monthly bill just to have the CC machine, the services fees, and line is around $375.00 a month. Quite a bit for a small company don't you think?
I respect the fact that it you feel it is wrong for a retailer ask that a minimum purchase to entitle you to charge your items but in the same token, I hope you relize that CC companies have us over a barrel too.
FYI...I accept all forms of credit cards...as do most businesses. One of the things you might not realize...Most businesses are contracted through a third party company. We don't directly pay visa, mastercard, discover, american express. The third party company does this so the rules are a lil different.
I feel your pain and frustration...I use my cc/debit card too....I just know what an establishment is charged when I use it.
Trust me, small business aren't reaping the bounty when you use your CC and ask that it for a minimum amount. They are just hoping to break even. It's the CC companies who are charging us for you to use it and charging you interest for using it. Like double dipping, huh?
I think it's ridiculous that the store owner has to follow anyones policy. It's THEIR store.
) and there was a sign on the register that said Minimum Purchase of $10 or be assessed a $.50 service fee if you charge under $10. I was like, WHAT?! 
Charging ME money to use my Visa card?? I told the guy that I was really annoyed by this policy. Also, it's misleading to have a Visa logo on the door to the establishment and then find out you can't really charge until your sandwich is made. I felt like I was cornered if I didn't have a few dollars on me. 
Seriously talk with your purse. If they want to do this kind of thing find someplace else to eat! 
