Well I don’t know about you, but I think this is absolute crazy talk! I heard news of this briefly in passing, but it was one of those things that sounds so bizarre, I immediately dismissed it as here-say or a rumor.
Unfortunately, this morning, the whispers are now, in fact, legitimate news.
Starting July 18th, Walmart Canada stores will no longer accept Visa as a form of payment. The change will start in 3 stores in Thunder Bay, ON and will roll out across the country over the course of the summer. There is no official time frame or date when all stores will cease Visa payments.
The change comes after a long legal battle between Walmart & Visa over what Walmart calls “unjustifiably high” fees applied to credit card purchases.
This is going to be a big blow to Canadian shoppers and despite the high costs, I am genuinely surprised to see this change. By no longer taking Visa, Walmart is now excluding a portion of the population from shopping in their stores. The only other major chain that I’m aware of that practices this, is Costco.
But it seems to work out just fine for Costco! Maybe it will for Walmart too.. Only time will tell.
What do you think of this change? Does it affect you? Share your thoughts & opinions with us on the SaveaLoonie Facebook Page!
