Q: After paying a deposit on a pushchair, I went to the shop to pay for the rest of the item and collect it.

The shop owner would not accept a cheque. Since the outstanding balance was a substantial amount, I did not have enough cash on me, so I offered to pay with a credit card.

The trader told me I would be charged an extra two per cent on the total amount. Since I urgently needed the pushchair, I had no other option.

Was the seller legally correct in charging me extra for using a credit card?

A: A retailer can actually apply a charge over and above the invoiced amount if a credit card is used, as long as he informs the customer.

On average, the two local companies processing card transactions apply a 2.75 per cent charge for every card transaction.

Since you were charged less than 2.75 per cent and since you were informed about the extra charge, legally, you cannot claim a refund.