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ReadersSpeak

We have explained to merchants that
if the card has a Visa logo, you can
accept it even if you don't take debit.
We have explained that other logos
on the back allow you to take it as
a debit even if you don't take credit.
We choose credit Today, when I purchase gas with one
W e received the following note from Aaron M. Pitcher, vice debit' (and gas stations have been
of these cards, I am asked 'credit or
surcharging for years, but I digress).
president of Cashless Payments Inc. To connect with him on this
issue, please email aaronp@cpayinc.com:
the same question, 'credit or debit?'
"I recently attended the SEAA conference in Atlanta and, it was great. I don't "At grocery and big-box stores it's
know what it is, but vendor food and vendor-sponsored drinks just taste better but when I enter a small, struggling
than the ones I room charged. The conference was standard, with processors, restaurant that has chosen to
POS suppliers, terminal options and some new stuff. One discussion was on surcharge or cash discount, suddenly
surcharge/cash discount, with many aspects being discussed. The one topic only Visa has the say as to how that
that wasn't really addressed was the 500 lb. gorilla: Visa and Visa Debit. card can be accepted. 'That is a debit,
and it can not be surcharged' is the
"Having been in the industry for 25 years, I understand the importance of message. Really?
feeding the gorilla its usual diet of interchange fees, registrations, fines and
such. The issue/question is this: How come when it comes to surcharging and "In reading the Durbin Amendment,
cash discounting, we, the merchants and consumers no longer have a choice of Visa seems to be equating that
credit or debit? How come suddenly, and only in this scenario, is the choice taken transaction as if it were equal to
away? "Consumers have been told for over 20 years to choose credit or debit. accepting cash, as in zero charge. If
As an industry, we've built credit and debit rails to securely transact the cards. that is the case and I missed the memo,
I'm sorry for my misunderstanding.
But I thought merchants and we (the
processors) still are incurring fees for
Visa Debit. Now, when merchants
raise questions pertaining to the
Durbin Amendment, I can give them
a general explanation. But when they
ask me, 'Since when is this card only
debit?' I have no answer.
"We, as an industry, might have a
little more power than we have ever
given ourselves. I mean, it is our
rails that millions and billions and
even over a trillion dollars are safely
transferred annually into Visa's
coffers. Maybe, for just once, we could
stop cutting each other's throats for a
second; hold hands with Kroger, our
merchants, and each other; and form
a 'super zookeeper' and (respectfully,
of course) tell Visa that when it comes
to surcharge and cash discount, 'We
choose credit!'"
Share your experiences

Have changes in rules, regs or
the overall payments environ-
ment affected you and your mer-
chants recently? Tell us about it at
greensheet@greensheet.com.

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