PITTSBURGH -- Some businesses may try to force you to pay cash instead of using a debit card if you don't spend a minimum amount -- but Call 4 Action reporter Aaron Saykin said they are not supposed to.

"I've been in that situation and it's frustrating," said Ari Gitig, who pays for purchases with plastic.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover each forbid businesses from setting a minimum credit card price, yet plenty of places do so anyway.

Call 4 Action went to China Star in Squirrel Hill to ask about this issue.

"Do you know that you're not supposed to do that in your agreement with the credit card company?" Saykin asked a hostess.

"No," she said.

The customers sounded sympathetic.

"Their margins are so small, and it's really hard for a small businessman to make a living," said Tim Hotham.

Here's an example: If you use a credit card for a $1 purchase, a typical business must pay the credit card company a transaction fee of 50 cents, plus about 3.5 percent of the total -- meaning the business would lose 54 cents on that $1 purchase.

"They're killing us," said Robert Jenkins, owner of Debbie's Diner, which is next to China Star.

Instead of having a minimum, Debbie's Diner is forced to add a $1 fee for every credit card purchase, Jenkins said.

What about competitors who break the rules?

"I understand it," Jenkins said. "Do I like it? No, but I understand it."

To report a business that requires a minimum purchase for cards, you can do the following:

Visa - Call the toll-free number on the back of your card.
MasterCard - Call customer service at (800) 300-3069.
Discover - Call customer service at (800) 347-2683.

All three of those companies said they'll work with a merchant and the bank to bring a business into compliance.

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