Same rules for all card payment companies urges ARA

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) says retailers are being forced to wear unreasonably high acceptance costs on credit cards as a result of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s unequal regulation of companies providing card payments.

ARA Executive Director, Russell Zimmerman, says some cards cost retailers more than twice as much in fees to accept than others, leaving retailers with no alternative than to pass these costs on to consumers through a surcharge to be able to continue accepting these high cost cards.

“For many years, unequal regulation of payment cards has caused headaches for retailers,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“While the cost of accepting some cards has been reducing due to regulation, accepting other cards has remained unjustifiably high -  an issue that has caused confusion for both retailers and shoppers.

“It is simply baffling why the RBA chooses to regulate certain payment companies, but not others. The ARA is calling for the RBA to apply the same rules to be applied on all payment schemes,” he said.

Unregulated card companies include American Express, Diners Club, and China Union Pay, who as a result, set the price of accepting their cards so high that retailers are forced to surcharge shoppers who use these cards instore.

“Surcharging is not a positive experience for retailers or customers and should be avoided, however, this can only can be done for low cost, regulated cards,” said Mr Zimmerman.

“The ARA has been pushing for reforms of card regulation and will continue to lobby the Government and RBA on this issue for a better outcome for both retailers and consumers.

“In the interim, it’s important for retailers to be aware that they may be contacted by unregulated payment companies in an attempt to have them absorb their excessive costs and asking them to help protect their market position.

To date, the ARA has been able to reduce costs for retailers on the three regulated payment schemes - EFTPOS, Visa, and MasterCard.

 

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $293 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 5,000 independent and national retail members throughout Australia.

For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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