Re: card machines and charity

I have not heard of this before, but I have to say I put the petrol in the car and my husband goes and pays, will tell him to look out for this.

Thanks for the warning Sableline

Re: card machines and charity

I'm sure these companies have done their homework, so it it probably isn't illegal, but it certainly is sharp practice.
I wonder if they've ever heard the expression 'counterproductive'.

Re: card machines and charity

I'm curious now, as that scheme seems to be to charge 25p per transaction, not £5. I'm guessing that Sableline maybe misread the machine, reading the 2 as a £ sign? If not, then I'm still very skeptical.

Re: card machines and charity

That to me sounds even sneakier as who would notice 25p whereas many would notice a fiver.

Re: card machines and charity

Link to scheme.

https://www.rnib.org.uk/motorists-go...t-loss-charity

Re: card machines and charity

And it clearly says .....The money will be raised by customers, in an innovative scheme which allows them to ‘top up’ their credit or debit card transaction. 160 Shop’ N Drive stores, which are located at Esso petrol station forecourts, give motorists the option to make a 25 pence donation when paying for their fuel and other items."

Clearly optional.

Re: card machines and charity

But that could mean like Sableline said in the first place, you have to press a button if you do not want to donate?
So maybe if you do not notice the extra amount added, you wouldn't know you needed to press a button to opt out.
That way they can still say 'it's optional,' but still rather crafty.
Just a thought.

Re: card machines and charity

Exactly, Mups. The point as I understood it in the OP was that she had to OPT OUT and had she not noticed she would have automatically paid the extra. That in my opinion is totally wrong and somewhat coercive.
More like it "gives the motorist an option NOT to pay extra if they check the amount first, but otherwise takes it automatically". I bet there are loads of motorists who don't even realise that they have paid an extra 25p.

Re: card machines and charity

Yes, that is exactly what I meant Ania.
If the garage is participating in that, they should be obliged to verbally warn us and point it out first, so that we can decide for ourselves.

It's not much different to a shop 'short-changing' you by 25p, and if you noticed, being told you have just donated to charity, and you should have said if you didn't want to!

Re: card machines and charity

Yes I agree...it clearly says it's optional...but do they make it clear at point of sale?