Be informed: it is unlawful to charge or be charged two prices — a Cash Price and a Credit Card Price — for the same product.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Mornings@ANC, issued a reminder to establishments that the law forbids the imposition of additional charges on items purchased through credit cards.
Based on Article 81 of Republic Act 7394 (“Consumer Act of the Philippines”), goods and services must not be sold at a higher price that what is stated and without discrimination to all buyers.
According to Maglaya, several firms deceive consumers by supposedly offering “discounts” when paying cash. Some gadgets and appliance stores, she says, charge customers higher price if the purchase is via credit card and a “discounted” price if via cash.
Customers who were tricked into paying the credit card surcharge are encouraged to report the incident to the DTI hotline number 7513330. Violators may be fined up to P300,000 and slapped with a possible revocation of their business permit and license.
