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8.CCS
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1992-12-20
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THE COST OF OWNING A CREDIT CARD
Banks that issue credit cards, like other companies that
manufacture or sell a product, are in business to make a
profit. Did you ever wonder how companies like MasterCard,
VISA and your bank make a profit by offering credit card
services? Collectively, they do this two ways.
First, the merchant who sells you a product or service is
charged a transaction fee, usually two to five percent. The
fee, or, percentage that the merchant is charged is based on
several different factors, such as their dollar volume, the
nature of their business, etc.
Secondly, credit card companies make a profit (the bulk of
it) from you, the consumer. They do it by charging you one
or all of the following fees:
An annual fee, which is the $20 to $85 fee you pay for
the privilege of carrying their card(s), whether or
not you use it.
Interest fees on purchase and "cash advance" account
balances.
Transaction fees for cash advances, which are usually
a percentage of the amount advanced, or, a set flat
fee.
Late charges and penalties and "over limit" fees.
Card replacement fees.
Returned check charges.
The issuing bank, that is the bank that gave you the credit
card, pays a percentage of some or all of these services to
MasterCard or VISA just for the privilege of using their
name; the bank keeps the rest of the profits.
But, how much is enough? Judging by the annual fees,
interest rates and service fees bank charge, the answer is
clear. Everything is not enough!
Interest rates charged by some banks border on usury, which
is a nice way of saying "loan sharking." Transaction fees
can range from $1 to $10, or, between two and 12 percent
(ever get a cash advance in Las Vegas? One hundred dollars
will cost you $12.). Late fees can run $10 to $20 per month,
regardless of your balance. In short, using a credit card is
a very expensive proposition.
* * * End of THE COST OF OWNING A CREDIT CARD * * *