A Maryland man is drawing attention after a clinic allegedly refused his cash payment but imposed a 3% surcharge for credit card payments. Since the pandemic, the clinic claims it doesn’t accept cash, but the patient is frustrated that he wouldn’t have to pay extra if they just took his money. Many online users shared his sentiment and wholeheartedly agreed that enforcing such unavoidable card surcharges on customers is outrageous.
Going by the Reddit username l00sem4rble, the patient posted his story to r/mildlyinfuriating, where his frustration was felt by over tens of thousands of Redditors. The bill for his appointment was a $50 copay, but became $51.50 with the 3% surcharge.
“I can understand if you want to charge a surcharge for credit cards, but you can’t do that and refuse cash,” he told the employee checking him out. He bluntly told her, “Your company’s policy is absolutely infuriating.”
Online Users Suggest Carrying Checkbooks Again to Avoid Paying the Card Surcharge
Several commenters suggested that people might need to carry checkbooks again to avoid the surcharges. Another person said that their water company does this to them, pushing surcharges on every payment option. “I know digital payments are convenient but god i miss cash sometimes,” they sighed.
Several people also noted that credit card surcharges are illegal in some states, such as New York and Connecticut. Unfortunately, Maryland is not on this list. “Let’s also not forget that card transactions became wildly popular with businesses because they reduce a lot of risk,” said a Reddit user, pointing out how modern companies are essentially encouraged to use digital payments over physical methods. A few commenters compared this card surcharge requirement to the tipping culture and how that has become a staple across the country.
That said, l00sem4rble wasn’t going to let the Maryland clinic get away with charging him this 3%, even if it was $1.50. “I’m sure it’s going to be much better for them to have to mail out a bill and then receive a paper check in the mail, which then they have to take to the bank,” he said, knowing he might have the last laugh.
