LAFAYETTE, LA. — If you plan on eating out this Labor Day Weekend, you may want to consider cash instead of your credit or debit card.
A law that has been on the books for more than 10 years, allows credit card companies to charge a service fee to merchants who accept cards.
For some restaurants, like Deano's in Lafayette, that comes out to several thousands of dollars each month that is owed to the card companies. Now, some of those restaurants are recouping that fee, directly from card users in the form of a 4% fee.
Deano's owner Karen Metcalf says you're already paying fees for other services.
"What a lot of people don't realize, its been in place for years. The DMV, SLEMCO, City of Lafayette, you pay with a credit or debit you're charged a fee," Metcalf adds.
If you plan on withdrawing money from the ATM instead, the bank imposed fees could be higher than paying the 4% credit card fee.
"The average ticket here (Deano's) is about $20, that would be about an 80 cent fee", Metcalf explains.
Be sure to check with the restaurant you are visiting before ordering if you are concerned about the fee.
