Petrol Stations must accept cards

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LCBXX

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Johannesburg - Petrol stations are compelled to accept cards, such as credit and debit cards, for fuel payments, the department of energy said on Thursday.

"Payment cards have historically not been allowed in South Africa because of huge costs associated with some of these cards," said spokesperson Bheki Khumalo in a statement.

The new regulations take effect on Thursday and are expected to reduce the number of robberies that take place at petrol stations.

"Removing cash from retailing operations is the primary objective for this move. It should result in improving safety conditions at retail outlets across the country."

He cautioned that not all petrol stations were immediately equipped to handle card payments.

One of the motivating factors behind the new regulations was the 2010 World Cup.

In May, Khumalo said card payments would be more convenient for the thousands of visitors to South Africa.

"We are expecting an influx of foreigners for... the World Cup and we think it'll make it easier for them not to carry around cash."
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Step in the right direction. Pity that the profit margins for fuel retailers are so poor, so I guess stations will impose a levy if you pay via credit card.

Curious that this is done "for 2010"? Why for 2010, why not 1999 already?
 
This morning 702 played the minister of mineral stuff saying that station owners aren't FORCED (compeled or whatever you want to use) to accept credit cards.
 
Many of the fuel stations in PE have been taking cards for a good few months now.

Some only take debit cards.

The fuel stations could avoid the risk of counterfeit cash and the high cash deposit fees at the bank.
 
But how are the taxis going to keep using cash for their petrol?

At the moment they have no record of how much money they get it, nor how much they pay for fuel. Once there is a record they can get taxed properly.

Poor sods... :D
 
They'll probally stop it after 2010. Imagine how much more debt people will be in once they start getting fuel on credit!
 
Pilgrim said:
But how are the taxis going to keep using cash for their petrol?

At the moment they have no record of how much money they get it, nor how much they pay for fuel. Once there is a record they can get taxed properly.

Poor sods... :D
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No you have it wrong - the taxis have this one down to an art. What do you think happens to all the 'cash slips' from people that do not want them. They get collected by the pump attendants and sold to the taxis. The taxis claim it back on tax. There is whole 'industry' going on with this one!
 
mjkelly said:
Anyone used their credit card yet? I wonder what the fees and interest will be...
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AFAIK - I haven't tried it yet - there are not allowed to be any extra fees/interest. Buying petrol on a cc should be exactly the same as buying groceries or anything else.

Petrol cards were different, because they were charged as a cash advance, but on an ordinary cc that shouldn't apply.
 
Oh boy - another thing people can buy on credit. Not very clever when people can hardly afford anything at the moment. Bad debts are going to sky rocket.
 
Makes perfect sense. It's about time SA joined the rest of the world.
gregmcc said:
Oh boy - another thing people can buy on credit. Not very clever when people can hardly afford anything at the moment. Bad debts are going to sky rocket.
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You know you can already go to any ATM and withdraw cash with a Credit Card to pay for petrol, right?
 
Card cloning syndicates are going to love this one.
 
diesel said:
Card cloning syndicates are going to love this one.
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I don't think that this will result in an increase in that type of crime, because most places where I've used the card they process the card at the pump with the wireless terminal or I go into the pay point where I monitor the processing of the card.
You shouldn't let the card out of your sight regardless of the type of purchase being made, and it's in restaurants where you're more at risk.
 
GiZmmo said:
They'll probally stop it after 2010. Imagine how much more debt people will be in once they start getting fuel on credit!
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Don't most people already have their petrol cards linked to their credit card account?
 
i don't understand, most petrol stations in Pretoria accept debit cards, i don't understand how this law is going to change anything?
 
Peder said:
i don't understand, most petrol stations in Pretoria accept debit cards, i don't understand how this law is going to change anything?
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Before this garages didnt have to take credit cards or debit cards. Now they will be compelled to.
 
VanZan said:
No you have it wrong - the taxis have this one down to an art. What do you think happens to all the 'cash slips' from people that do not want them. They get collected by the pump attendants and sold to the taxis. The taxis claim it back on tax. There is whole 'industry' going on with this one!
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They record the licence plate number on those slips. :)
 
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