They make YOU play by the rules, so…

Hey, just a tip/reminder based on a recent customer-service nightmare I experienced…Stores are not allowed to require a "minimum purchase" for you to use a credit card, or a debit card with a major-credit-card logo.  If they accept that card at all, they have to accept it for any amount; it’s in their merchant agreement.  (So no maximums, either.)

And why let them get away with it?  They don’t let you get away with diddly squat, usually, and I’m all in favor of making the other side play by the rules, if they’re going to make you do it.  (This is why I’m so in favor of monitoring the police!!)

Anyway, filing a complaint over this type of violation is very easy, and will often get the merchant slapped with a fine (if they’ve already been warned about it).  There aren’t many benefits to having a credit card these days, so take advantage of this one!  I just reported some jerk at the mall who wouldn’t sell me medicine for my daughter because it was under $5 and I didn’t have cash … man, did that feel good!

Here is Mastercard’s simple complaint form.

Visa has the same rules, but wants you to contact the bank that issued your card to complain (the 1-800 number on the back of your card).  I don’t know how easy or hard their process is, because I don’t have any Visas.

Other cards mostly have the same rules, but it’s always worth calling them to check, if you use them often.