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Comment by jldugger | Hacker News Reader

As a modest counterpoint --

Things I do care about in a debit card:

* cash back on transactions I can't put on a CC -- i.e. rent * OFX/Quicken APIs I can use to import transactions * the ability to choose a PIN rather than memorize a randomly assigned one * the ability to send money via western union to family from my house * is accepted at all retailers / Paypal / misc * does not lose my money

Things I do not care about because I have other banking products:

* high APR on cash balances

Things that are dumb:

* emoji * large spend alerts / restrictions * card customization

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I'm curious what landlords accept a debit card for rent payments. I've always been required to setup an ACH/automated transfer or give a physical check (note this is in California).

My landlord lets you pay with a debit card but they recently changed the convenience fee from $3 to $75 so you're now highly discouraged from it. It's porbably in general more common for large property management groups/complexes than smaller time landlords

"$3 to $75"

Can I just clarify that's not a typo? If you really don't want to offer the service that much, then don't? A $75 debit card (in)convenience fee just comes across as money grabbing, and harms their reputation.

Not a typo, it really increased from $3 to $75 (ownership of the building changed at the same time). I think it's purely a cash grab. But this city is a seller's market so they can probably get away with it. It's just a shame because the previous company that owned the building was so nice and lax about everything.

I have rentals and it’s just a switch from eating the fee to passing it along to you. This is why most landlords still require paper checks, depositing them is free.

The % based fees don’t make sense on large payments. Retailers pass it along too but it’s baked in the price.

One tip I tell everyone, ask for a cash price when getting quotes. Contractors, etc especially. You might save 3% on Fees or 30% because he’s not going to report it.

Debit card fees are typically like $0.20, for any size of payment though.

Only reason I can imagine they might be hesitant is because debit cards allow a customer to dispute a transaction, which can hold up capital while the dispute is resolved, and obviously the landlord might be forced to return a rent payment or two if the credit card company sides with the letter.

I think there is still a % component in the US anyway. It’s smaller than credit, usually <1%. But brings up Another factor, in the US anyway, getting a merchant account to process debit transactions is not an straightforward thing, especially assuming It needs to be done online. Sure there’s tons of options for credit square/PayPal/etc. But even a somewhat big apartment complex has only a couple 100 monthly transactions and it’s just not worth the hassle for the landlord. No value add on our side equals no reason to change our ways. And yes, we change high fees to discourage behavior we dislike. I charge crazy high late fees because I don’t want to be a debt collector. I actually have a thing I tell ever new tenant about how I will never bother them about payments being late because I’m not a debt collector. But they can expect a eviction notice on the N day late because that’s what the state minimum requirement. My renters are never late.

Yes tax evasion is a great deal!

With my current rent + credit card cash back percentage, I'd get more than $75 back per month. YMMV.

My apartment's portal allows me to pay either with a debit/credit card or a bank account. I go through my bank account, as they charge a 5%(?) fee to use a card.

Ah, right. I guess the setup with my landlord is ACH, with a hefty surcharge for using a CC, and no debit options.

I've just payed my landlord over venmo this past year. It's super convenient

Noted!

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