I own and operate a full time retail store and I too add the 3% if CC is used. Here is why. I try and keep my prices low and competitive. An example would be, on a new gun I sell at cost + shipping + $40.00 profit. So on a new Bushmaster DCM model for example. I sell those rifles for $1050.00. Cost is $1K and shipping is about $10.00, actually a little more in this case cause its heavy. And then the $40.00 profit. If a guy comes in and wants to buy that rifle with a CC, it will cost me $33.50 in credit card fees on that sale. That knocks my margin from $40.00 to less than $7.00. Less than $7.00 profit on a $1000.00 investment. Guys...that is not a good margin. Even at $40.00 profit, it is not a good margin.
I am not trying to complain, nor am I exagerating my claims. I will gladly produce documentation for the non believers of how small the profit is in the gun business.
So If I add the 3% right off the top no matter what form of payment, then the guy that pays cash gets screwed. There is a MAC machine right across from my shop and I always give the buyer the opportunity to go and get cash out of it. But some complain about paying a $1.00 transaction fee from the MAC machine too. Seems sometimes you just can not win.
I do not like it any more than the customer, and I would rather not even handle CC's, but it is a system that is conspired by the credit card companies not the retailer.
Sorry for the rant.
John
Seneca Arms CO
215-234-8984