From the point of view of the merchant: would they rather the customer use a debit or a credit card?

[question everything]

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. I think debit cards have no merchant fee versus credit cards charge merchant (3 percent?)

I'm not sure of any of that.

[2naSalit]

7. I've been charged fees...

When using my debit card.

[Bev54]

2. I actually don't know about US but in Canada credit cards have a percentage fee of the amount whereas debit cards have

A nominal fee (when I left the bank it was 15 cents per transaction). So debit is far better plus the money is on the merchant’s account immediately.

[mahina]

3. Debit is cheaper

[question everything]

5. Thanks. We were persuaded by the bank that credit card is safer even though I mostly

use it to purchase groceries and medicines and at the doctors offices.

I did not realize that this is a new credit card not tied to the checking account. Has all kind of “rewards.”. We are senior, do not travel, do not purchase “stuff” so I think that the “rewards” are meaningless for us.

Will talk to the banker to get some answers and perhaps cancel it. We do not need more credit cards.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Some cards (like mine) allow you to use points for paying off the card. . . . . nt

[Lifeafter70]

4. I don't think there is a difference

There is a "point of sale fee" no matter what card you used. Some merchants charge a fee whether it's credit or debit. Arco charges 35 cents.

Years ago a lot of businesses didn't take American Express because their fees were much higher than other credit cards.

edt: debits pay the merchant instantly. A credit card could be a couple of days. Also it's easier to dispute a charge on a credit card. Which I have had to do a few times.

[marble falls]

6. Debit, cheaper and harder to dispute.

[A HERETIC I AM]

9. Don't forget that when you use a Credit Card, you're using THEIR money.

When you use a Debit Card, you are using YOUR money.

Credit cards are always safer for online transactions or whenever the slightest possibility of fraud exists.

And yes, historically Credit Card companies charged the merchant a fee. With a debit card, your bank might charge you a fee but not always.