Convenience Fee? Who is kidding who?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Convenience Fee? Who is kidding who?

DaveB

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#232100 29-Mar-2018 18:41

Just noticed these words on my account.

"Paying a bill with a debit or credit card will incur a convenience fee".

A Debit Card has been brought into this?

But people accept it? So very, very sad!

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#1985599 29-Mar-2018 19:11

What's the difference between using a debit card, and paying direct debit or bill pay?

Both money has to be there in advance, comes out straight away - no loss for person paying, but company receiving payment loses money if debit card used.

If you're talking about Airline tickets or concert ones, then I guess payment options may be limited.

UHD

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#1985624 29-Mar-2018 19:33

I suppose Visa and MasterCard still charge their fees to the merchant for debit card usage so the company is having to pay them and therefore they must be passed on to the consumer.

shk292

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#1985644 29-Mar-2018 20:14

Time to visit Spark HQ with a bag of 10c coins? Let's see how convenient that would be

richms

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#1985654 29-Mar-2018 20:21

You could always send them a check just to make them have even more hassle. I wanted to get a check book just for that but because of the account I am on I would have to change it to another type and that was hassle so I didnt bother.

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shk292

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#1985657 29-Mar-2018 20:26

richms:

You could always send them a check just to make them have even more hassle. I wanted to get a check book just for that but because of the account I am on I would have to change it to another type and that was hassle so I didnt bother.

Nice suggestion! Except, it's "cheque" ;)

Starscream122

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#1985659 29-Mar-2018 20:31

Pb Tech do this at their shops. They ask if I am paying by credit card I say ''eftpos''

Sometimes they say it's credit card but they just say next time you have to pay 2.5% extra

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chevrolux

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#1985660 29-Mar-2018 20:36

Blame the card provider and banks.

Merchant fees are ridiculous, and then the payment gateway fees on top.

sbiddle

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#1985661 29-Mar-2018 20:37

I'm unsure what the actual issue is here. Do people not realise most debit cards incur interchange fees for using the card?

By saying "EFTPOS" at PB Tech you're basically just ripping them off.

msukiwi

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#1985666 29-Mar-2018 20:53

shk292:

Time to visit Spark HQ with a bag of 10c coins? Let's see how convenient that would be

From the Reserve Bank: https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/-/media/ReserveBank/Files/Publications/Bulletins/2015/2015sep78-6.pdf

(2) A tender of payment of money, to the extent that it is made in coins
issued, or deemed to be issued, under this Act, shall be a legal tender,—
(a) In the case of coins of a denomination of $10 or more, for the
payment of any amount;
(b) In the case of coins of a denomination of $1 or more but less
than $10, for the payment of any amount not exceeding $100;
(c) In the case of coins of the denomination of 5 cents or more, but
less than $1, for the payment of an amount not exceeding $5;
(d) In the case of any coins of the denomination of less than 5
cents, for the payment of an amount not exceeding 20 cents.

Hope the bill is $5 or less.

GGJohnstone

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#1985906 30-Mar-2018 12:53

The payment of 2 Euro is no guarantee that the toilet will be clean.

mattwnz

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#1985907 30-Mar-2018 12:59

shk292:

Time to visit Spark HQ with a bag of 10c coins? Let's see how convenient that would be

Although stores can apparently refuse to accept payment like that. That could be one reason why there is a shortage of these coins. I use small change in the automated supermarket checkouts. Great way to get rid of them.

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mattwnz

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#1985908 30-Mar-2018 13:01

msukiwi:

(d) In the case of any coins of the denomination of less than 5
cents, for the payment of an amount not exceeding 20 cents.

Hope the bill is $5 or less.

That article is from 2015, yet we haven't had 5 cent coins for many years. That is a worry that they haven't updated that or checked it.

sdav

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#1985932 30-Mar-2018 13:38

mattwnz:

msukiwi:

(d) In the case of any coins of the denomination of less than 5
cents, for the payment of an amount not exceeding 20 cents.

Hope the bill is $5 or less.

That article is from 2015, yet we haven't had 5 cent coins for many years. That is a worry that they haven't updated that or checked it.

It's defined by an Act of Parliament. They don't get changed often and since it is still fit for purpose there are other Acts more worthy of the public's time. We don't have any coins $10 or greater in general circulation either but if they decided to introduce one it's handy not to have re-write the Act.

1101

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#1987529 3-Apr-2018 11:24

DaveB:

"Paying a bill with a debit or credit card will incur a convenience fee".

Someone has to pay the CC fees . This is nothing new. Spark wont get the full amount due after CC deducts fees, so why wouldnt they
make us pay those fees

Why would anyone pay bills with a CC ? Just asking for additional fees & charges.

hsvhel

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#1987608 3-Apr-2018 13:34

1101:

DaveB:

"Paying a bill with a debit or credit card will incur a convenience fee".

Someone has to pay the CC fees . This is nothing new. Spark wont get the full amount due after CC deducts fees, so why wouldnt they
make us pay those fees

Why would anyone pay bills with a CC ? Just asking for additional fees & charges.

I pay a bunch on my CC, and there are not charges. Not all service providers do that.

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