minimum purchase required

[Gerianne]

Some companies require a certain minimum amount for purchases.
Sometimes it can be $50; yesterday, when I wanted to buy something, the rep told me there was a $20 minimum. The item I wanted wasn't that much. I said goodbye; no sale for him. I bought what I needed somewhere else.

[lmrbean]

I think in NY that practice is illegal.  It can only be a request.

[tuyetmai]

Oh I never heard of it.  Which state is that?.... I don't never approach to any of this minimum company at all.

[aflyingmonkey]

Odd.
Are they online shops that have this requirement? 
I know here in retail shops, if they take VISA/Mastercard it is against their service agreement with the Credit Card companies to require customers to have a minimum requirement to use the card.   I know the dollar store used to require a minimum of $10 to use a credit card & that was quickly extinguished due to the agreement with the cc companies as it was in direct violation.

[kewl4reals]

Some companies require a certain minimum amount for purchases.
Sometimes it can be $50; yesterday, when I wanted to buy something, the rep told me there was a $20 minimum. The item I wanted wasn't that much. I said goodbye; no sale for him. I bought what I needed somewhere else.

that requirement always did not settle well with me

[Timberlan127]

I've never come across that before but there is usually a minimum purchase before you get free shipping so many times I won't buy an item if there's nothing else I need at the time.

[Forp]

There are too many minimum specifications..even on cents off coupons..they drive me nuts.

[bungholiotgn]

At my job, we have a $5 minimum on credit cards. Most of the items we have are $1-2 so we require a minimum for CC purchases because of the fees we get charged per transaction. This does make some people not purchase the items and I agree with their frustration. Unfortunately, that is the way the store owner runs things.

[camellia0]

That happened to me one time. I don't usually carry a lot of cash and I went to a restaurant and wanted something and I didnt' have enough cash and I had to use my debit card but I had to buy more stuff that I didn't need so that I could meet that minimum.

[ancmetro]

  Try to get coupons for the amount closed to your amount of purchase ...then you will get it free!

[texasmom32]

I have never heard of that.  I would not be happy if I had to make a minimum purchase to buy something at a store.  I know some online stores do it for free shipping but a brick and mortar store, that is strange.

[davidh121]

I sometimes find it frustrating if I'm trying to use a credit card, but I can understand their perspective due to the cost of partnering with that particular card type (i.e. Mastercard / Visa). I do not like the minimals too to get extra discounts and things I think should be free (shipping), but as this has been in play for ages now I'm use to the practice.

[myles26]

That is crazy i have never heard of this before, i wonder if thats legal you should look into that! thanks for sharing this with us.

[ernica96]

I've had that problem before but only if I tried to pay with a debit or credit card and it was never a company but rather those little local mom and pop stores. The minimum is usually much lower like $5 or $10.

[teenangel]

That is illegal in New York. Who ever practices this is breaking the law in New York.