Massachusetts State HousePhoto: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts is one of only a few states that require businesses to eat the cost of credit card fees. But a newly proposed bill on Beacon Hill could change that.
Bill S.2819 would allow businesses to add surcharges for customers paying with a credit card. It would also require said business to disclose this surcharge fee to the customer and have it printed on every receipt.
Some consumers, like Brendan from Malden, are conflicted about the possible change.
"I like the idea that small businesses [won't] have to absorb that, because it depends on the credit card, but I know that there are some crazy surcharges and it makes it harder for businesses that are up-and-coming, but I'm not crazy about surcharges that land on me either," Brendan said.
Tony from Western Massachusetts knows he doesn't like the idea of the bill.
"The consumer is riddled with enough fees and extra charges already," Tony said.
Supporters of the bill say that small businesses are financially impacted more by fees since most purchases are done through credit card.
Brendan sympathizes with these claims but is worried this may just be passing more cost onto the consumer.
"You see that happening with tariffs, businesses don't end up paying more for tariffs, they end up charging the consumer more," Brendan said.
With this change, if passed, some said they may move to paying with cash more often to avoid the fees.
"Cash is king, that's what they say," Brendan said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.