Many merchants won't charge checkout fee

Merchants in Minnesota and most other states can now charge up to 4 percent extra when customers pay with a credit card.

The checkout fee option went into effect at the end of last month, allowing businesses to recoup the fees credit card companies charge for transactions. Retailers seem reluctant to tack on the fee, and there's no indication that many — if any — merchants will actually charge the fee.

"I think most, if not all retailers, will skip adding the surcharge on credit card transaction," Bruce Nustad, president of the Minnesota Retailers Association. "Culturally, in Minnesota, that's not very acceptable. I don't think, even at the small retail level, we'll see a ton of it."

Target and Best Buy say they won't pass on card fees at checkout. Trade groups for Minnesota retailers, gas stations and convenience stores say their members are inclined to skip adding on card fees to a bill, figuring consumers would object.

"I haven't talked to a single member who intends to pass that through. We don't think it's acceptable to our guests," said Dan McElroy, CEO of Hospitality Minnesota, which represents restaurants across the state. "It's something that's been included in our prices for some time. I don't see it happening in Minnesota restaurants."