Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Today I went to the K-2 Market that’s located on Medford Street in Somerville in the Magoun Square area to buy a pack of Pepto Bismo. When I went to pay the price that the cashier was charging me was different from the price listed on the product.

When I asked the cashier what that was about she said “You’re paying by credit card so we have to charge you a service fee.”

Isn’t it to add service fees two products illegal in Massachusetts just because we are paying my credit card?

Sincerely,
Joanna

Billy’s Response: When I asked the question: Is it legal for Massachusetts convenience stores to charge more money if people do not pay cash but paying by credit card?

The answer is: No, it is not legal for a Massachusetts convenience stores (or any seller) to charge customers more money specifically for paying by credit card instead of cash.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140D, Section 28A(a)(2) explicitly states: “No seller in any sales transaction may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who elects to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check or similar means.”

This means a store cannot add an extra fee, percentage, or “convenience fee” that effectively raises the price only for credit card users. The law prohibits surcharges that penalize credit card payments compared to cash.

What is allowed?
• Stores can offer a discount for paying with cash, check, or similar methods (e.g., “5% off for cash”). This must be clearly disclosed to all customers and available to everyone.
• In practice, this means the posted price is often the credit card price, with a discount applied for cash.
Current status (as of April 2026)

The prohibition remains in effect. Bills have been introduced in the Massachusetts legislature (e.g., in early 2026) to allow limited surcharges (capped at the store’s actual processing cost, with disclosure requirements), but these have not passed into law.
Some businesses may attempt to charge such fees anyway, but doing so violates state law. Consumers can report violations to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office or relevant consumer protection authorities.

Note that federal rules and credit card network policies also play a role, but Massachusetts state law is stricter here and takes precedence for this issue. If a store is charging you more for credit card use, you can politely point out the law or ask for the cash price equivalent. For the most current details, check the official statute or consult the Attorney General’s consumer hotline.

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