DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just read your response to a reader’s question about whether it is legal to charge a fee to use a credit card for a purchase (Sept. 25).

You replied that one could not charge more for using a credit card but could give a discount for paying cash. Could you explain, then, why the city of Auburn is allowed to charge a fee of approximately 3 percent of the total payment?

Since we don’t get a discount for paying with cash, isn’t this against the law? —Bob Hart, bgh0727@aol.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots to Gina in Auburn’s Finance Department. She explained that the laws governing credit card use for municipalities are different than for commercial businesses. Cities can pass on the exact cost of using a credit card — nothing more.

Think of it this way: Someone has to pay the fees the credit card companies charge. Businesses can either eat that cost or raise their prices to cover it.

But if the city of Auburn doesn’t charge you for the convenience of using a credit card, who will pay that fee? Other taxpayers, of course, which hardly seems fair.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This in response to the letter printed about credit cards charging fees. There is one place in Lewiston that still to this day charges a 3 percent fee for using a credit card.

They claim they do not accept credit cards; however, they will run it through their adjoining business for a 3 percent fee. I don’t know how they get away with this. What is you opinion on this? — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots called the business in question, and it does appear that they have failed to update their signage and procedures to comply with the new federal law. This is a very new law, part of the Dodd-Frank legislation designed to protect consumers, so it’s understandable that they were unaware of the changes.

Also, Sun Spots is not a lawyer. She cannot be sure of the exact wording of the law, thus she is hesitant to say outright that they are wrong.

Sun Spots provided the manager with the name and phone number of her contact on this issue. However, with the government shutdown just ended, it may take him a while to get through on the phones.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: American Legion Post No. 31 Ladies Auxiliary will be holding a craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the post (426 Washington St. North, Auburn).

Tables without electricity can be rented for $20; tables with electricity can be rented for $25. All tables must be reserved two weeks prior to the event.

For more information or to rent a table, please contact Nancy Ward at 240-5827. — Julie Cook, mummajules626@yahoo.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Ladies Guild of Our Lady of Ransom Church, 119 Elm St., Mechanic Falls, will sponsor a church fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

Lunches will be served. The rental price of a table is 20. Please contact Josie Hebert at 345-3274 for information. Thanks again. — lourob50@roadrunner.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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