Uruguay: Small Businesses rise against Credit Cards over abuse of dominance

Several groups representing Small Business owners from across Uruguay have joined to present their objections to the ever-higher tariffs imposed on them by credit and debit card issuers, renewing the debate around the need to regulate these services’ commissions. Uruguay’s CAMBADU, representing retail shopkeepers, bar owners, and other small businesses, has said it will present formal charges against the card issuers over abuse of dominance and collusion.

Business owners have focused their complaints on the legality of forcing them to accept arbitrary tariffs, as well as various clauses included by card issuers blocking them from offering discounts for cash payments. These clauses prevent businesses from encouraging cash payments, while credit issuers themselves are free of offering promotions and other incentives to increase their appeal.

Finally, business owners claim that the country’s card operators have shown signs of ‘corporate’ action when dealing with different negotiations and contracts, possibly leading to charges of collusion.

Full Content: El Observador

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