No EFTPOS in Australia

[dwa33]

The (and I mean T H E ) most annoying thing about moving to Australia from NZ is Australia doen't have EFTPOS! They think they do but they really REALLY don't. They have EFTPOS machines but if you're a Kiwi you'll understand that using EFTPOS is a way of life. Even if you buy something for a dollar in NZ you can slap the EFTPOS card down and while you're at it get $20 cash out. Sadly this is not a way of life shared by our Aussie mates. Now I find I'm forever walking around looking for ATMs and swearing under my breath at the stupid shop that yet again has a $20 minimum for using EFTPOS.

Australia.... Get over it. EFTPOS machines are there to help us buy stuff from YOUR shop. Supermarkets and petrol stations being the exception to the rule and do let you use EFTPOS - but every where else is living in a banking black hole.

Rant over :)

[Jaynie]

It doesn't happen where I live!

[Quoll]

Hmm. It's $10 here for most shops - I dont know what happens in NZ but there is a charge to the merchant for every transaction and their rationale is that it isnt economic for anything under $10. I work for a charity and I think our limit is $15.

[calNgary]

$5 minimum in this part of Brisbane ,i dont think thats too bad.after all theres not much you can buy for a dollar!!
Cal x

[Edinburger]

I agree that this is very odd indeed. The number of restaurants that accept credit cards but not EFTPOS is beyond belief. Easily more than half of the places I've been to and even those that do usually ask me to follow them to the terminal to key in my pin. Very odd indeed. It's not like this is new technology we're dealing with!

I'd pretty much stopped carrying cash before I left the UK. I'd usually had less than 10 quid on me as everything was paid for by switch. If you really wanted to you could buy a Mars bar with switch. In parts of London RBS are even trialing a new Oyster type system where, for purchases under 10 quid, you just wave your card at the terminal and it pays for you. I give it five years max before you have places that refuse cash (as it should be really). In fact I've already eaten in places in Paris that give you a very funny look when you put down cash after dinner. They just aren't used to dealing with it.

On the whole, banking has been the most bizzare aspect of moving to Oz. Like stepping back in time 15 years or so. Just as well everything else kicks ass :D

[dwa33]

It catches me out often in cafes. A latte or two just doesn't reach the threshold. Not to mention buying milk or a paper at the dairy. Maybe Aussies just buy a load of other stuff (probably cigarettes) to make up the amount to use the EFTPOS. I guess for me a newspaper and 5 snickers bars would be good occasionally :)

The retailer doesn't pay a charge per transaction even though that is what they claim. What they do pay is a rental charge for the EFTPOS machine. A flat fee. They say they get charged per transaction as a justification but it's not true. I guess they just can't be bothered which makes it more annoying.

In NZ the banks charge the card holder a fee every time you use your card but usually this is waived if you have a mortgage or savings with the bank.

[godders]

must be a pom in disguise..... *rolls eyes* lol

[BullcreekBob]

Originally Posted by dwa33

The retailer doesn't pay a charge per transaction even though that is what they claim. What they do pay is a rental charge for the EFTPOS machine. A flat fee. They say they get charged per transaction as a justification but it's not true. I guess they just can't be bothered which makes it more annoying.

Spoken with all the assurance of someone who doesn't know what they're talking about.

Perhaps an investigation of the facts before posting would be good. Oh then again why bother, just make up what you want. Someone might believe you - I won't.

[dwa33]

Checked and posted. I guess we disagree.

[godders]

Different merchant suppliers will charge a per transaction fee