Minimum enacted for credit

EDITOR's NOTE: This article originally published in The Advocate on Nov. 9, 2011. To view original post, visit AccentAdvocate.com.

Summer Cayton went into the Bookstore for a snack on Monday.

The nursing major picked out an iced tea and an energy bar, took them to the register and read her total: $2.58.

But because she never carries cash and due to a new policy on credit card purchases in the Bookstore, Cayton left the line and grabbed another energy bar to bring her total above $3 — the store's new minimum for credit card purchases.

"I don't think there should be a minimum," Cayton said. "I don't think people should control the amount we want to spend on our card."

Since Nov. 1, the Contra Costa College Bookstore enacted a policy to only accept cash on purchases less than $3 to offset card usage fees the store has to pay anytime a card is used.

Nick Dunn, Bookstore supply buyer, said the minimum is to make up for the 23 cents charged to the business for each card swipe.

"I've got no choice," he said. "The buck is being passed on to (the Bookstore)." He said regardless of the quantity of items or dollar amount bought or sold, each time there is a credit or debit card transaction, the Bookstore is charged a fee.

"We sell Scantrons for 23 cents plus tax. We make nothing," Dunn said. "Essentially, this (minimum) will offset that fee."

There was a similar fee five to six years ago, he said, but it was not enforced. House Resolution 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, took effect in July 2010 and allows payment processors to establish a purchasing minimum of $10 for credit transactions.

"It was initially $5, but I thought $3 was fair enough," Dunn said.

Dunn and textbook buyer Darris Crear said they sympathize with those trying to buy a Scantron, blue book or pencil before a test, but said others come in to the Bookstore several times a day for small purchases, like candy or soda, throughout the day and always charge the items.

"It's a bit ridiculous," Dunn said.

There is an ATM in the Student Services Center, across Martin Padilla Plaza from the Bookstore, but Dunn said most either ignore or are unaware of it.

"Options are there, but people don't want to use it," Dunn said.

Notices of the policy change were posted throughout the Bookstore in October, but that caused confusion over how and when the policy switch would affect patrons.

Some worried the policy was in place a month early, others thought it was a $3 charge to use their cards, cashier Colleen Garland said.

"When they realized that wasn't the case, I got a lot fewer comments," she said.

After reading the policy, Garland said, some threatened to never return to the Bookstore.

"I (was helping a customer and) pointed at the sign and someone said, ‘That's terrible. I'm never coming back here again,'" she said. "‘You're charging me $3 to use my debit card?'"

Dunn said it is a common misconception to confuse the minimum for a transaction fee.