The Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan is urging you to be ready to pay in cash anywhere you go.
A ruling from last July goes into effect this week that allows businesses to pass on credit card transaction fees to customers. The charges, ranging from 1.5% to 4%, will be applied directly to your bill.
The change affects Michigan and 39 other states. Indiana already has rules in effect that allow business to pass on transaction fees. Businesses must clearly display that they add the credit card transaction charge both in the store and on your bill.
The fees do not apply to debit and pre-paid cards. The BBB recommends that you be prepared to pay by one of these alternative means, or with cash, if you want to avoid the fee.
The BBB have recommended using credit cards because of the protections they offer consumers against theft and unauthorized use. They say you will have to judge yourself whether these protections are worth the fee.
