In the Dominican Republic, some companiesespecially the small ones, have restrictive policies on the payment methods they accept from their customers, which may vary depending on the perceived profitability of the transaction.
According to lawyer Enmanuel Moreta Fermín, the cash is the most liquid and fundamental means of payment for consumers. In this regard, it points out that restricting this payment method It goes against the client’s rights.
However, at the International Airport of The Americas (AILA) there are airlines that have restricted the use of cash and only accept payment with credit card.
He central bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) defines the payment instruments such as physical or electronic methods that allow funds to be transferred, including checks, wire transfers, and card payments via ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and mobile devices.
Representatives of the commercial section They acknowledge that there are businesses that do not accept card payments due to the associated costs. Some even charge additional fees for using them, a practice that, Moreta Fermín notes, is illegal under Law 358-05, which prohibits charging extra fees other than those established by the value of the product.
“The user is going to satisfy a need, but the provider has a process of value generationwealth and, from the point of view of justice and consumer rights, no additional charges can be imposed on them,” he says.
The Dominican Federation of Merchants (FDIC)represented by Iván García, argues that the high commission rates charged for the use of cards can significantly affect small businesses, suggesting that commissions should be regulated between 0.5 and 2%.
Luis Mira, president of the Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Codopyme), points out that it is not illegal to establish the method of charging customers. It defends the power of merchants to set rates for the use of certain payment methodsbased on the profit margin and transaction costs they must cover.
More cards
- Recently, the BCRD reported a significant increase in the use of debit cards and credit in the country, highlighting its growing prevalence as a payment method among Dominicans. As of June 2024, they reached 7,210,119 and 3,849,081 cards, respectively, for increases of 41.4 and 47.3%, compared to June 2019.
In response to practices that could violate the consumer rightsthe executive director of Pro Consumidor, Eddy Alcántara, calls on consumers not to accept additional charges for the use of cards, reiterating that each business has the freedom to decide its payment policies, but within the established legal limits.
“We call on consumers not to accept that, because they are paying by cardthey charge them extra,” says Alcántara.
