Are there any consumer laws regarding the practice of surcharging?
Yes, there are consumer laws regarding the practice of surcharging in South Carolina. Under South Carolina consumer law, merchants and retailers are prohibited from charging customers more than the advertised price for goods or services. This applies to so-called “surcharging,” where merchants add an extra fee to purchases made with certain payment methods. For example, if a retailer advertises a product for $50 but then adds a $5 fee for players using a credit card, this is considered a form of surcharging and is illegal. Surcharging is also prohibited if it is used to discriminate against customers based on their choice of payment methods. For example, if a retailer offers a discount for customers paying with cash but then adds a surcharge to purchases made with credit cards, this would be considered discriminatory and illegal. In addition, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs encourages consumers to report merchants who are surcharging in violation of consumer law. Consumers can contact the Department to file a complaint about a retail business that is unlawfully surcharging customers. The Department will then investigate the complaint and, if necessary, take appropriate action against the offending merchant.
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