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NEW policy for purchases of tobacco with Mastercard

Bank of America letter received earlier this week "We are tracking card activity which may be considered "high risk" or may involve additional responsibilities for us which are not cost-justified, and have found such activity in your business. Our transaction analysis shows that your business is currently in Merchant category code (MCC) 5993, processing tobacco sales in a "card not present" environment, where face to face with your customers and not properly registered with the card organizations (Or Bank Of America) to do so.
Bank of America Merchant services does not support card not present transactions in (MCC) 5993. Therefore you must discontinue card not present transactions and attest to that you will not resume this practice in the future.

It goes on to tell me if I don't, I violate my agreement and will be dropped, etc., etc.


I urge you to call Mastercard and Bank of America and let them know about this. I am dropping Bank of America and I would ask you to do the same if you feel this is unfair. I have put a call into my landlord that is a whiz attorney when it comes to suing corporations to see what he thinks and if we can all get together and do something about this.

This letter was sent to me by

Susan Willet (Bank of America) here is her direct line to let them know how you feel. 502-315-5644 please make this call guys.

This is a direct attack on small business, not just tobacco. If they get away with this, they will be able to dictate whatever is sold in interstate commerce. Discriminating wherever and whenever they see fit. As you see by this letter it doesn't matter which card you use because the Merchant service account is who runs. them all Visa, MC, Amex, Discover, Diner's club etc.

Please keep this topped and get involved or you may no longer be able to order your cigars from out of state.

Al
 
Very socialistic - sad indeed.

I would advise not even using a CC when purchasing tobacco. Do both yourself AND the merchant a favor - pay with a money order! No paper trail, plus the merchant doesn't have to pay those high CC processing fees. With a CC, all of your buying history is available, and really, it's NO ONE'S BUSINESS!

I can't believe this war on tobacco - a LEGAL product!!!
 
It would be great to know how many of the higher ups at MC smoke cigars, buy them on the internet and use a MC to purchase such items. I wonder how many are paying state and local taxes.




Or do they use a visa, AE or Discover?

hmmmmmmmmm!
 
Rod said:
Very socialistic - sad indeed.

I would advise not even using a CC when purchasing tobacco. Do both yourself AND the merchant a favor - pay with a money order! No paper trail, plus the merchant doesn't have to pay those high CC processing fees. With a CC, all of your buying history is available, and really, it's NO ONE'S BUSINESS!

I can't believe this war on tobacco - a LEGAL product!!!
Click to expand...

One other big plus: Your personal information is not shared, nor can it be hacked.
 
This country is going down the tubes. Somehow we have voted it down the tubes. I hope this isn't too political for the forum, but I just don't understand how this is happening.
 
Wow. It's really amazing how difficult it is getting to enjoy this hobby. Getting crack would be easier.
 
I'm just a poor retired sailor and don't understand much about high finance, but what about E-checks. You give the vendor your routing number, acct. no. and check no. Is this a viable alternative?

Doc.
 
jfields said:
I've been building a war chest with all of these looming tobacco laws, and it looks like I might not be too far off the mark. It seems to be getting harder and harder for us.
I've also done quite a few Money Order purchases to help out a few brothers/B&M owners here, who were giving me a great deal save the 3% fees.
Maybe that's the new order I may follow to prevent any possible future headaches Uncle Sam may have in store for me.
Click to expand...


tsmckenney said:
Rod said:
Very socialistic - sad indeed.

I would advise not even using a CC when purchasing tobacco. Do both yourself AND the merchant a favor - pay with a money order! No paper trail, plus the merchant doesn't have to pay those high CC processing fees. With a CC, all of your buying history is available, and really, it's NO ONE'S BUSINESS!

I can't believe this war on tobacco - a LEGAL product!!!
Click to expand...

One other big plus: Your personal information is not shared, nor can it be hacked.
Click to expand...
Now why didn't I think of that! :laugh:
 
Just a heads up. A buddy of mine placed an order that totalled under $500 and the credit card company declined the order. He contacted them and they said his transaction appeared to be for cigars. He said no, and after a bit of back and forth, they finally approved the order. Just an fyi, big-brother is watching.
 
heffror said:
Just a heads up. A buddy of mine placed an order that totalled under $500 and the credit card company declined the order. He contacted them and they said his transaction appeared to be for cigars. He said no, and after a bit of back and forth, they finally approved the order. Just an fyi, big-brother is watching.
Click to expand...

I assume your buddy was using a Mastercard? I'm just asking for clarification. And was it the bank itself or the CC company that passed block on the transaction?
 
I love this. I work hard to be able to buy and enjoy what I want in life and my credit card company wont allow it...nice!
 
Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit!!!!! :angry:

People wonder why I am going to fly a Gadsden flag.
 
billbaker3 said:
Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit!!!!! :angry:

People wonder why I am going to fly a Gadsden flag.
Click to expand...

Careful about that flag. According to the MIAC, if you're seen with a flag like that, you're deemed to be a terrorist
 
Never been a fan of Visa/MC

Amex and Discover blow them out of the water, THEE BEST customer service as well.
 
I only spend on my AMEX. Never had a problem whether it was concierge, travel, purchasing power or what not.
 
This is a growing problem. Most credit card processors stateside have refused to deal with non face-to-face tobacco purchases period. It started with cigarettes and will soon branch out I imagine. Just means we won't be spending money we don't have anymore :( .
 
At least I can still use PP to buy "beanie babies" from my friends here. :whistling:
 
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