QUESTION: I ordered a plate of food at a restaurant and was told that I had to pay 50 cents extra if I wanted to use my credit card because my total was less than $10.

I ended up paying the extra because I didn't have any cash.

Is that legal?

Can they tell credit card users that there is a minimum?

I did not recall seeing a sign that stated a minimum for credit card users.

ANSWER: Visa and MasterCard both prohibit merchants from requiring a minimum purchase price, while other credit cards have restrictions on such practices.

Both American Express and Discover, for example, allow merchants to set minimum purchase amounts and surcharges, but not if the merchants also accept Visa or MasterCard, which prohibit such restrictions.

When we had a similar complaint a few years ago (see www.hsblinks.com/1nk), representatives of the credit card companies said that businesses that accept their cards are bound by “;merchant agreements.”;

MasterCard, for example, says cardholders can report specific merchant/retailer violations at www.hsblinks.com/1np.

The violations listed are: requiring a minimum or maximum purchase amount; adding a charge for using a MasterCard; requiring identification; and displaying the MasterCard decal, but refusing to accept a MasterCard.

Meanwhile, although there are no specific state or federal laws regarding businesses setting minimum credit charges or charging fees for using a credit card that did not meet that minimum, “;there may be issues relating to advertising violations,”; said Stephen Levins, executive director of the state Office of Consumer Protection.

“;If you're advertising something as costing a specific amount, it should cost that amount,”; he said.

But even if there is disclosure, there's the issue of such a fee being appropriate under the merchant agreements, Levins said.

If a merchant refuses to accept a credit card for small purchases or assesses a credit card surcharge, consumers should send a letter of complaint to the bank that issued the card or the credit card company itself, advises the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii.

If that doesn't resolve things, you can:

» File a complaint with BBB online or by calling (808) 536-6956 (toll free from the neighbor islands at 877-222-6551).

» File a complaint with the Office of Consumer Protection by calling 587-3222 or online.

AUWE

To a police officer who just ignored someone who committed a violation in front of him. At 2:10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, we were sitting at the traffic light under the Kapiolani Boulevard overpass where you can turn left onto Waialae Avenue, go straight onto Harding Avenue or turn right onto Kapahulu Avenue.

A sign there specifically says “;NO TURN ON RED,”; but we saw a car ignore the sign and turn right on red.

A police officer was sitting in a Toyota 4Runner in front of us waiting to turn left.

This driver of the car blatantly committed the moving violation in front of him and the officer did nothing.

As a child, I was taught to respect police officers, but I cannot do this if I personally witness them not doing their duty.

This officer deserves a big “;auwe”; for not doing his job. — Shari L.