Originally Posted by
chris_in_sunnyvale
However, pressing the issue won't get you very far because the sales division can live without taking CC payments, unlike restaurants and retail stores whose business increases by taking such payments. If you manage to get MC or VISA to pull their agreement with the sales division because you could't charge the full amount, it's really no huge deal to them. So instead of getting some miles for a smaller charge, you'll get no miles.
Regards,
Chris
Your posts above do not seem consistent to me. I would be surprised if any dealer EVER said to MC or VISA "Go ahead and pull my right to take credit cards, it's really no huge deal to me. I am not going to sell this guy a car if he wants to put it all on a card." Nobody who has ever posted on this board has ever had the experience of a dealer who let their agreement be pulled so far as I can tell. That would prevent him from accepting cards for down payments on future car sales as well as for parts and service if they are the same entity, as you seem to concede in your later post. Likewise a dealer is contractually obligated not to charge you the 2% or 3% MC or VISA fee.
As we have said many times, you may not want to make an issue of it and eat into his profit margin. But by signing up for the card and risking interest, annual fees and late fees, you are contractually entitled to certain benefits and if you negotiate your best price, contact VISA or MC if the dealer then refuses, VISA or MC will go to bat for you and get you the car at the agreed upon price and the miles.
Post 14 clearly says the dealer may or may not accept credit cards, but if he does he must accept the card as payment in full. That's all we have been saying for years.