Did you know that a business that accepts Visa card purchases may not impose a minimum purchase requirement?
Visa says its bylaws clearly state that merchants must not establish a minimum transaction amount. That's done to protect Visa cardholders so they can expect to use their cards anywhere, anyhow and anytime Visa is accepted.
If Visa finds out about a violation, Visa will issue an enforcement letter to the acquiring bank that enables the merchant to accept the card. It's up to the acquirer as to how to deal with the merchant.
There are merchants in Warsaw that have minimum purchase signs. If you do business with them please let them know they are in violation of the contract they signed to do business with Visa. If they continue to violate their Visa agreements I would do business elsewhere.
You may also report the offending merchant to Visa direct at 1-800-VISA-911 or e-mail Visa at askvisacorporate@visa.com
There is an ad campaign called the 3/50 project encouraging local people to shop from local businesses. A better idea would be to shop from local businesses that are operating like they deserve your business.
Out of respect for local business, I did not mention the names of the Visa violators.
Out of respect for their local customers, I hope they change their signs.
