Charges for using credit cards - Real Mum story on MoM

12 Comments

I have received bills for utilities with a fact sheet about changes to fees for paying bills. Using a credit card will now attract a surcharge fee. I do not use credit cards, but I am somewhat surprised as companies convince people to pay using credit cards and then later introduce fees. Seems somewhat unfair, especially if you do not read the small print. Companies make a lot of money and I am somewhat disappointed that they will charge fees for people using a credit card. I know a lot of seniors that may not read the small print, but I will be ensuring they know about the charges.

Posted anonymously, 30th January 2016

12 Comments

- - mom56312 said
  - 15 Feb 2016
    1:13 pm
Thats like if you shop at Aldi there is a small surcharge for using your credit card, But as its well known and i dont know if its there any more but there use to be little signs on the EFTPOS informing you of that.

- - mum888 said
  - 10 Feb 2016
    7:07 pm
A very long time ago it used to be free as I used to own one when I was a young adult ( but I was always careful only used for emergencies. Then later they introduced annual fees and cancelled them , and now just use a debit card . Hub has to have one for emergencies and work but only in the household is bad enough . If you can , don’t use it at all . If it is free , it’s probably an introductory offer for first year only then charge after that .

- - BellaB said
  - 05 Feb 2016
    10:42 pm
This is really common – and it annoys me, because I use my credit cards as a budgeting tool to spread costs.

- - mum888 said
  - 02 Feb 2016
    10:03 am
It depends on the finance company , bank etc. Eg Some have annual fees ( eg American Express ) , some have non at all. As with everything else, you have to read the fine print and most of the time you have to pay interest as well as the admin fee. Its very unfair , but best to do research first before joining anything these days . I only have a debit so that is good enough for me .

- - mom94125 said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    5:25 pm
yeah that is not fair hey. maybe compare your company with others. if you need that credit card, think about switching.

- - mom90758 said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    12:01 pm
I find it quite unfair too. I don’t have a credit card though. I pay with BPay and I find it very convenient.

- - rachelvk said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    9:45 am
It is so greedy for these companies to charge extra on top of what seem to be ever increasing service charges for what are considered basic everyday essentials.

- - mum4107 said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    5:59 am
Telstra have been doing it for a long time. It is unfair
- mom93821 replied
  
  31 Jan 2016 , 6:19 am
  Seems greedy to me and quite unfair.
- - mom165744 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    10:10 pm
I think it is unfair to charge surcharges but unfortunately that’s the way it is. I think though these companies need to be upfront about all their fees and charges.

- - mom165081 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    7:32 pm
Reading the fine print is important – another one to look out for is multi insurance policy discounts – they sometimes “drop off” – enquire and you will get them back with a refund.
- mom93821 replied
  
  30 Jan 2016 , 7:38 pm
  Excellent point – will now take a look at all of my policies. Love the collective wisdom – thanks.