Card Payment Surcharges Banned in Australia from 2026

[MELso]

For small items I wonder how much an incentive a 5% discount will be.

If you’re paying $100, you get a nice $5 note in change.

I’ve your paying $7 for a coffee you’re going to end up with 20c+10c+5c piece … Lot of people probably couldn’t be bothered unless they are disciplined to manage their loose change.

I'd pay a little extra to NOT have to carry around shrapnel!

 

[dajop]

I'd pay a little extra to NOT have to carry around shrapnel!

For us occasionally pop change into donation jars but also we have a pill bottle that we keep the shrapnel in and every now and then we pour into the self checkout to pay for groceries. But rather avoid it in the first place.

 

[levelnine]

Seeing more and more of these images being posted everywhere.

As I predicted earlier in this thread, consistent with economic theory, businesses are using this systemwide 'shock' to reset their margins.

It is way easier to justify a price increase when everyone else is also increasing their prices, and the end of surcharging gave everyone a perfect excuse to increase their prices.

 

[Ade]

Taken to the other extreme, they could well say "Hey I'm only charging your 50c for making the coffee, but the total cost will be $5.50 due to all the fees involved".

For the business that I was mentioning about upthread, this narration will fit aptly ... I might tell them

 

[piec]

That's a sorry excuse. It's all part of running a business, should the same apply to supplies, staff, leasing, utilities, registrations, insurances, costs as well?

Taken to the other extreme, they could well say "Hey I'm only charging your 50c for making the coffee, but the total cost will be $5.50 due to all the fees involved".

Price of coffee: $5.40
Cup and lid surcharge: $0.10

 

[kpc]

Seeing more and more of these images being posted everywhere.

As I predicted earlier in this thread, consistent with economic theory, businesses are using this systemwide 'shock' to reset their margins.

It is way easier to justify a price increase when everyone else is also increasing their prices, and the end of surcharging gave everyone a perfect excuse to increase their prices.

View attachment 523702

Shop around! I went to my local coffee place yesterday....same price (for now), no card surcharge and their loyalty program continues. Helps that there are 4 coffee shops within 50 metres of each other!

 

[SeatBackForward]

Price of coffee: $5.40
Cup and lid surcharge: $0.10

But that highlights the idiocy of it all, Component pricing like that infers that a choice is available. Yes please serve me a coffee without a cup. Process the ticket without any administration etc.

 

[Ade]

I'll be interested to see if their prices rise in coming months or another fee of sorts is added.

I have a feeling that this will definitely happen - at least up to the point where business aren't losing money when accepting payments via CC/Online means ... And there won't be a tell if the business are exploiting this to increase the costs ... either way, I think customers will be spending more of their money ... happy to be wrong ...

 

[SeaWolf]

Price of coffee: $5.40
Cup and lid surcharge: $0.10

Some places are already doing that, to encourage people to be environmentally friendly and bring a keep cup. Though usually they do it the other way around and offer a discount if you don't need the disposable cup.