Palomino Espresso
1/61 York St, Sydney NSW
Fee-Free Shops
What is a fee-free shop?
When they “tap & go”, many Aussies are unwittingly overpaying for everyday purchases. Payment card surcharges are eating away at bank balances one transaction at a time. Finder believes consumers shouldn’t be hit with a surcharge or minimum spend amount for using their credit, debit or prepaid card. Fee-Free Shop recognises shops that don't charge extra for this convenience. Search for your closest card-friendly venue here so you can "pay fair" on your next lunch break, date night or shopping trip.
Say no to the "tap and go" tax by signing our petition
Why should consumers pay more for using cards instead of cash?
It's official, more Australians now use their cards to pay for everyday purchases than cash. Whether it's a quick coffee through to a full grocery shop, cash is no longer king when it comes to how we pay.
Despite this, many retailers continue to hit shoppers with a surcharge of up to 3%, just for choosing to pay with their cards.
At Finder we think processing card payments should be considered just another cost of doing business, like keeping the lights on or paying staff, and shouldn't be passed on to customers. When we surveyed the nation, 94% of our fellow Aussies agreed that surcharge fees are a rip off.
In 2017 the RBA banned excessive card surcharges which helped reduce the cost to consumers paying by card, but we don't think consumers should have to cover the cost of paying with a card at all.
On top of surcharges, some retailers enforce excessive minimum spends for paying with plastic, and it's all legal.
We are calling on the RBA to further amend the regulations in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to prevent merchants from surcharging consumers for card payments. Will you join us?
Can you call on the RBA to put a stop to sneaky credit card surcharges completely? In the EU last year, legislation was passed that means retailers can no longer pass on the cost of paying by card to consumers. We think the same rules should be in place in Australia.
Surcharges are bad for business: While we recognise that using the interchange network is a genuine cost and we support small business, retailers who absorb this cost and dump minimum spend requirements will ultimately build better customer loyalty which means more success for business.
How you'll benefit from this change: Consumers will save money on transactions as small as a coffee or as large as a new appliance.
If the below form is not working, please email feefreeshops@finder.com
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How do I know I’m at a fee-free shop?
As well as using our map, look for the Fee-Free finder sticker at cafes, restaurants and retailers so you know you won’t pay a fee or have to spend over a certain amount when you use a card (or smartphone, or watch, or sunglasses or ring).
If you're visiting a local cafe or store and it doesn't charge fees or a minimum spend, you can shout them out with the #FeeFreeShop hashtag and encourage them to register.
Find a Fee-Free Shop
How much can I save on card fees?
What you pay as a card surcharge fee depends on the retailer, the type of card you use and the amount of money you spend. While it’s usually around 0.5% of the transaction value for debit card purchases, it could be up to 3% for some credit cards.
If you bought coffee and lunch five days a week and paid a 1.5% card surcharge fee each time, it would cost you $50.62 per year. That might not seem like a lot, but that's just coffee and lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fee-free shop?
A Fee-Free Shop is a business that does not pass on the cost of processing debit or credit payments onto the consumer by way of a surcharge. They also do not require a minimum spend amount when customers pay by card. If you’re a Fee-Free Shop, register below for a complimentary sticker and to be added to our map! If you’re not yet a Fee-Free Shop, read on to find out why you should become one.
Register your shop
Complete the form below to register. If you have any questions, the form below isn't working or would like to provide additional information, please email feefreeshops@finder.com.
Why should my business be fee-free?
With 94% of Australian consumers thinking that card surcharges are a rip-off, and 68% of them prepared to back out of a purchase because of this fee, it’s time for businesses to ditch them.1 Absorbing the cost of card payments is not only great for consumers, but it’s great for businesses too. 90% of Aussies consider zero surcharges important when picking which businesses they frequent. 72% are also likely to tell their friends to avoid a business that surcharges.2
In addition to boosting customer loyalty, encouraging consumers to use card payments saves your business time and money. In August 2018, Square’s report on the cost of cash revealed that Aussie businesses spend an average of 216 hours per year handling, counting and banking cash.3 And with more than half of the business owners surveyed acknowledging that their businesses will become cashless in the future, now is the time to go fee-free.3
How do I register as a fee-free shop?
To register as a fee-free shop, just complete the form on this page and finder will do the rest. We will add you to our interactive map and mail you a Fee-Free Shops sticker to the address you provide.
If your shop operates or has a presence online, download our digital sticker to display on your website and social media pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ask an Expert
I can no longer nominate shops that are fee-free ?
Hi DarReNz,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Find the tab on the upper portion of this page that says, “Register your business.” Click on that and from there, you need to fill out the form with the correct details. You can also email feefreeshops@finder.com if you any questions or would like to provide additional information.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua