The alert tradesmen turned the obligation to use cards for purchases over 7,000 TL into an opportunity.

With the implementation of the obligation to make purchases of 7 thousand lira and above via credit card or bank transfer, some merchants have increased the card commission rates for transactions below this limit. It has been observed that the commission difference in payments made with credit cards in the market has reached up to 20%.

MERCHANTS TURNED OBLIGATION INTO OPPORTUNITY

The "mandatory use of cards for purchases over 7 thousand TL" introduced to reduce the informal economy has been turned into an opportunity by some merchants. Businesses that want to direct consumers to cash payments are putting consumers in a difficult position by demanding high commissions for credit card transactions under 7 thousand lira.

AGGRIEVED CITIZENS ARE COMPLAINING

A carpet cleaning company in Istanbul raised the cash payment amount of 3,200 lira to 3,860 lira when paid by credit card; in an eyewear store, glasses that cost 52 thousand lira in cash are sold for 64 thousand lira with a credit card. A similar incident occurred in an auto industry in Istanbul, while social media and complaint platforms are flooded with grievances.

"CONSUMERS SHOULD REPORT SUCH SITUATIONS"

Consumer associations emphasize that the demand for additional commissions in purchases made with credit cards is illegal. "Some businesses try to present this practice as legal. However, our consumers should report such situations to the relevant authorities. The commission rates demanded in purchases made with credit cards can lead to penal sanctions for businesses," the associations call for the protection of consumer rights.

MINISTER ŞIMŞEK'S ATTENTION-GRABBING WARNING

While some businesses demand higher amounts compared to cash payments by citing the commission rates of banks, Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek stated that the commission rates of banks have dropped to around 2%. Şimşek emphasized that the demand for additional fees in purchases made with credit cards due to delayed payments and commission differences is illegal.