My credit card statements are coming in, and among the charges are those we incurred while in AC last month. There was nothing unusual (unexpected) except for one shop that tacked on a five percent charge of their own. This was after I asked the person at the cash register if they added a surcharge, and she replied ....NO. The name of the shop is Mambo Chill on Barrier Reef Drive. No other establishment added a surcharge like Mambo Chill did. L.T.B.B.

Recently on the mainland there has been huge shake up of the credit card system. Historically most places added a charge for credit card usage, typically 5%. The banks, especially Belize Bank were trying to stamp this practice out as they said it was illegal to add any charge.

I would be interested to here from any board members who may know whether this is also the case on SP.

Although the banks charge the merchant a fee for having the ability to take credit cards, it is against the merchant agreement with bank. What this means is that you can claim the money back from Mambo Chill. And/or you can make an official complaint to Visa etc. There is a possibility that because this business has (alledgedly) violated its credit card agreement that it will lose that priveledge (sp) of taking cards in the future.

I just got off the phone with the credit card company, and they deleted the charges.

Result!

I was chared $2.50 when I was forced to use a credit card to donate to Julia. Be careful when you use a credit card in SP.

"forced"??? what evil being held a gun to your head?

hcb, don't be an ass. That's a totally different situation. You were making a donation and that fee would have come out of Steve's pocket, be fair. Don't forget that he'll still probably have to account for those funds when he pays his monthly business tax.

Simon very well put ,if people are willing to help other people and use there cc machine, to help do that just great.it was a very ,very nice gesture god bless him ..what the hell is 2.5 percent when you try to help someone out in need..it was a win ,win to get it done..it is not like he tried to charge hcb more then his cost. I personly do not eat,in places that charge a extra 5 percent cc charge.think the merchant is not in the real world,I also know this is belize and there country but I would have them raise the price to what they think is fare , and good for them '' but please do not try to add on 5 percent like I am some stupid gringo prey.And all who know me ,know I am not a cheapo ..

I'm having a deja vu here. I believe we touched on this topic on a recent post and it was the view of a couple boarders that we should 'basically suck it up and move back to the US if you don't want to pay' I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks wrong is wrong, and right is right. Not only can Mambo chill loose their CC privledges, but so can Belize Bank if it gets out of hand.

I do however agree that for donation purposes, it should't cost Coconet money for doing a good deed.