Govt forbids surcharges on credit-card purchases

[tokidoki]

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Good news for all of us CC owners! :mrgreen:

Source Here:

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=54287

Govt forbids surcharges on credit-card purchases

By ANGELO SAMONTE, The Manila Times Reporter

Consumers may heave a sigh of relief after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has prohibited retailers from imposing surcharges on purchases made using credit cards.

The department’s order aims to protect consumers from dubious price-tag practices by giving more teeth to the existing provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

"As technology advances and continues to modernize the way businesses transact with their clients, the department works to ensure that consumer welfare remains uncompromised," Trade Secretary Peter Favila said.

The new order, which will take effect November 5, will spare consumers from having to pay surcharges, extra or additional charges over and above the price tag on items they buy using their credit cards.

"A number of retailers have been charging differently on specific items depending on the client’s mode of payment. Usually, purchases using credit card(s) are priced higher than those paid with cash, and this discriminates against the cardholders," Favila said.

Zenaida Cuison Maglaya, trade undersecretary for consumer welfare, said the order would harmonize all modes of payment available to consumers under the Price Tag Law.

"When the consumer opts to pay either through cash or card, he or she should only pay what is stated on the price tag. There should only be a single price tag indicating the cost of each item," she said.

The new order would also give consumers an option to pay in cash, card or installment to be disclosed to them, provided the information is not indicated in the price tag.

Trade officials said the price tag should be inclusive of the value-added tax for items covered by the levy, adding that it is unlawful to charge an additional tax over the price tag.

The recent order also illustrates the proper format of official receipts that incorporates the amount of tax and the total cost of products to be paid by the consumers.

[StyM]

link doesn't work..

[j2sun]

great news! thanks! now i can purchase without doing all those mental computations...

[bryanbel]

Maayo gyod kaayo ni kay maka palit nako ug computer parts sa sm nga walay patong. Naka palit ko sauna sa PC quick buys ug sa accent micro patong man dayon ug about 5% if card gamit..... asa man ta mo report if naay establishments nga mo patong lang gihapon?

[doce_pares]

does it cover "discounts" and "sale events" i mean some stores forfeit discounts wenever u pay using credit cards?

[yob]

this is good

[Metz]

ang PC quikbuys nisaka gamay ilang prices after Nov 5. murag 2-2.5% man tingali, sa CC price pajud ha di cash price.

[Rance]

I used my credit card last week to purchase a car accessories worth 13K they told me they have to charge so I paid 13,5oo++ I have no choise because I don't bring cash that much so I was forced to charged it.. so what shall I do now? is there a report to dti service? Thanks

[dexfranco]

Ang mahitabo ani mo taas ang price sa goods or service kay wala nay ganahan mo hatag ug discount kay kung example imong patong 3% ra human ana 7% kaon sa bank service charge ma profit ra nimo kay negative. Gamay ra baya patong sa some sectors sa retailing kay patay man ang competition and some suppliers dili na baya mu hatag ug 30 days, kasagaran on 15 days na lang ngeeeek!! Kalo-oy

[gilbz]

anyone here from DTI or has a friend who works there? kindly enlighten us as to what number/s to call (if there's one) where we can report those who will continue to violate this DTI order?

dapat well informed ang tanan establishments ani nga order aron wala silay rason to continue charging a certain percentage sa mga CC users.