For customers, bank cards that link debit and credit functions are more convenient. But these new two-in-one products are sometimes overtaxed, RTS has learned.
The new bank cards, which link debit and credit functions, make it possible to order on the internet, in addition to paying for everyday purchases. But what the advertisements of the banks do not say is that this innovation sometimes costs more to the sellers. A merchant interviewed by RTS did the test with his new Raiffeisen Visa Debit card. Result: his card machine charged him the credit rate, namely 2.5%, instead of 1.5% for a debit card.
SumUp, the supplier of this very popular terminal among small merchants, invokes a technical problem related to contactless payment. The English giant therefore suggests that merchants only accept standard payments. However, the problem also occurs when the card is inserted into the device, according to our merchant.
Sellers not always reimbursed
Mr. Price was not aware of this problem. On the other hand, he was informed of the same bug with SIX Wordline, the market leader. The latter assured him that he had resolved the situation in October 2021 and had reimbursed the injured merchants, which SumUp refused to do.
The magnitude of the problem is difficult to assess. By the banks’ own admission, opacity reigns between the various players involved in card payments.
However, the RTS investigation has established that some banks have chosen to apply the higher “credit” rate when making contactless payments with these new cards.
Consumers affected by ricochet
The Cantonal Bank of Valais has made this choice in particular. Its spokesperson Philippe Glassey explains in La Matinale that it is not to make more money: “With us, dual-function cards are offered as a substitute for standard credit cards. It is therefore the function ‘credit’ which has been retained for these cards only. For the end user, it is completely transparent, the impact is on the merchants.”
In turn, consumers are nevertheless affected, since sellers must pass on their costs in their prices. The new bank cards therefore contribute to inflation, which is already particularly high at the moment.
Romain Carrupt/asch
