I have been working on behalf of Victorian newsagents to address issues flowing from the decision by Australia Post to not offer Citylink top-up service. Newsagents have seen a spike in transactions, often incurring card processing fees that wipe out the small commission earned.
Rather than newsagents abandoning the service I have sought to talk with Transurban since they control the fee paid to newsagents.
The time-consuming process of exploring the matter and lobbying on behalf of newsagents has resulted in an opportunity to meet with Transurban to discuss resolving concerns of newsagents re credit card fees and related matters.
I have been asked to harvest information from newsagents. Please click here to take a short survey. The results will better inform the discussions with Trandurban.
I need your responses by mid next week. The more responses the more informed the discussions.
My goal is to achieve a better commercial outcome for newsagents.
Great to see newsagents responding to this survey. The data being collected will help make a case to Transurban.
I don’t do Citylink as I’m a NSW agent.
However, I do do Opal recharge.
We do not accept credit card, or tap-and-go (as it automatically goes through as credit) for ANY opal recharge
It’s cash, cheque or savings ONLY. Our customers know this, and if there are any issues, they can go to IGA or 7-11 to use credit card.
The pittance that we are paid by Opal would be entirely swallowed up if we allowed credit cards.
Subaru it’s an appalling situation. Successive state governments have dude newsagents on this issue of transport tickets.
In SA we charge a surcharge for buying transport recharge on credit cards. If they don’t like it the option is to walk!
Peter, the way I understand this, in NSW we can only legally charge a surcharge to cover the actual cost of credit card transaction, not more.
I know most businesses charge what they like anyway.
Where this gets confusing, is basic credit cards cost us less in fees than “premium” cards.
A basic card could be 1.2%, a platinum or black card could be 2.5% and an Amex could be 3%.
For the amount of effort required to figure this out, its easier to just say cash, cheque or savings only for these types of transactions…
Been selling bus tickets for years and 40% of walk in customers are only buying bus tickets we charge fee for eftpos and credit cards,if they are not happy my time to serve them cost money too