So apparently there is a new surcharge on credit card purchases. Some legislation has come into effect that allows merchants to place a surcharge on purchases made with a credit card as a way of passing on their fees to consumers.

The surcharge can run from 2% to 4% of the cost of the item and can be added to the amount you as a consumer pay. The catch to it is that any merchant who adds the surcharge must post a clearly visible sign alerting the customers of the additional fee.

The general feeling is that consumers may protest against the additional charge and show their displeasure by boycotting merchants who pass on the surcharge. So in effect, even though the fees are now legal they may not go into effect in all merchants as they fear a backlash from consumers.

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