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by crazygringo 1124 days ago
Processing fees aren't inherently expensively. They're low in Europe, and high in the US only because they go to rewards programs. You're paying 2% more but getting 2% back. Legislation could easily regulate them to eliminate rewards programs and bring them back down low.

Chargebacks are supposed to be expensive because they're a deterrent to businesses acting in ways that will lead customers to attempt chargebacks. And then they usually have an element of manual review which costs $ as well. Chargebacks being expensive is a feature not a bug. And they're an easy consumer protection option that isn't even a possibility with cash.
1 comments
RulerOf 1124 days ago
Chargebacks exist because the element of agency in payment is broken in the electronic money systems we've created. When using a card, you don't give merchants your money, you provide them with enough information to take your money away from you.

The UX of those two things is similar enough that nobody really cares, until it bites them in the ass, that is.

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crazygringo 1123 days ago
No, chargebacks exist even when you have all of your agency and you paid willingly.

If you order something that then arrives broken and the company refuses a return, you can do a chargeback.

If you had mailed cash or a check you'd have no recourse except the courts.

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