Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Stores cannot put purchase minimums on Visa cards

Question: Can merchants require a $10 minimum Visa purchase? I see signs popping up all over requiring a minimum purchase. I recently purchased an $8 item at a shop in Waianae and was told there was a $10 minimum purchase credit card requirement. After arguing legalities, my card was accepted, but I was told they "had a right to not do business with me." This seems a perfect way to be discriminatory and ensure getting the "right" customers.

Answer: Merchants cannot require a minimum purchase amount for Visa or MasterCard credits cards.

We contacted Visa and was directed to its Web site -- usa.visa.com -- for answers to its most frequently asked questions.

Under the topic of "Purchase Minimum," it said merchants are not permitted to set minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items.

They also are not allowed to charge you a fee to use a Visa card.

If you are required to make a minimum purchase or run into any other problems, you are advised to notify the financial institution that issued you your Visa card. The card issuers can help you document your case and file a complaint.

Look on the back of your card or Visa statement for contact information.

There are no federal or state laws governing such a requirement, according to the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii.

A few years ago the national Better Business Bureau issued a news release telling consumers that they may use their Visa cards or MasterCards to pay for any item, no matter how low the price.

A spokeswoman for the Hawaii BBB told us that information "remains current and accurate."

While American Express and Discover do not prohibit minimum charges "per se," the BBB said both companies prohibit merchants from charging a higher minimum for their cards than other cards they accept.

That means if a merchant accepts Visa or MasterCard, it cannot require minimum purchases for Discover or American Express.

Q: When and where are the Democratic and Republican National Conventions being held?

A: The Democratic convention will be held in Denver Aug. 25-28, while the Republican convention will be held in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 1-4.

About 35,000 people are expected to convene in Denver for the Democrats, while 45,000 are expected in the Twin Cities for the GOP.

Auwe

To the man sitting in his van at 6:15 a.m. March 4 in the parking lot of Dole Park. You just watched as my friend was mugged at the bus stop. She could have used your help to scare her assailant off, but you chose to "watch the show" instead of sounding your horn or doing anything. Luckily, she walked away with her life. We will never forget what you didn't do. What goes around comes around. -- Angry Woman