ALDI shoppers are divided over tap-and-go fees—where do you stand?

An ALDI shopper thought her grocery run was business as usual—until she noticed something unexpected on her receipt.

It was only a small amount, but enough to spark confusion and frustration.

What she saw left other shoppers equally shocked when she shared it online.


The woman posted to social media after spotting two separate ‘Credit Surcharge GST’ charges—labelled A and B—totalling 84 cents.

‘I only just noticed it,’ she wrote, asking others if this had always been a thing.

Responses poured in, with many admitting they had also been caught off guard.


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Shopper stunned by ALDI’s hidden card fee. Image source: Facebook


‘I noticed it too for the first time the other day. Was surprised,’ one shopper said.

‘I’ve never noticed before either. Appreciate your sharing,’ another added.

‘I didn’t know this!’ said a third.

The fee, shoppers explained, came down to the way people paid.

Depending on the card type and bank, tapping rather than inserting could trigger the surcharge.

‘I always insert my card into the machine and don’t have extra charges. If you tap there is a surcharge. Very sneaky,’ one person said.

Another agreed: ‘Insert your card, just make sure you remember your pin. Be interesting to know just how much profit is made by people tapping their cards and being charged this surcharge.’


Not everyone was willing to accept it so lightly.

‘[It’s] the main reason I don’t shop at ALDI… Hopefully the government goes through with stopping businesses from charging these surcharges to use card, especially as they are wanting to steer towards cashless,’ one shopper wrote.

‘Complete BS!! I don’t carry my physical card on me so it’s annoying,’ another fumed.

When approached, ALDI confirmed that the charge was nothing new.

The retailer said the surcharge applied to all credit card and contactless purchases as a way of keeping product prices low, instead of inflating them to cover transaction fees.

Customers could avoid the extra cost by inserting their card and selecting savings or cheque.


If you thought ALDI’s card surcharge was frustrating, it turns out this is part of a bigger conversation happening across the checkout.

Experts have started warning that these extra fees are popping up in more places than ever, raising questions about fairness and transparency.

One recent story highlights just how concerning this trend has become.

Read more: ‘Where do we stop?’: Expert slams shocking new surcharge trend

Key Takeaways
  • An ALDI shopper noticed an unfamiliar fee on her receipt.
  • The charges appeared as ‘Credit Surcharge GST A’ and ‘B’, totalling 84 cents.
  • Shoppers revealed the fee applied mainly to contactless card payments.
  • ALDI confirmed it was a long-standing policy designed to keep shelf prices lower.

Would you be willing to change how you pay just to avoid a few cents in fees?
 

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Here in wa almost every shop now passes on the bank charge for having and using an EFTPOS machine to the customer... even some do not even accept cash. I have learnt now to only use cash and if they don't accept it, i walk out... why should I be penalised for paying with my own hard earned money... don't have a credit card, banks charge you for it then shops charge you to use it.
 
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Reactions: Dynomite and Chicky
This is why I use cash because of the surcharge on cards. I noticed it along time ago now. That's my money they are getting for nothing. Food costs enough as it is.
 
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It’d not the surcharge that I don’t like about our local Aldi as it has been public knowledge for years that Aldi charges one if you use your card (unless you insert it).
Our local Aldi has 6 self serve counters and one manned counter..
ALL six shelve serve counters are ”Card only” forcing people to pay by card.
If the service counter is not manned I simply demand to be served and pay cash!
I don't work at any of the supermarkets so I wait and go through the staffed check outs. 🙂
 
I object to pay a fee on my credit card and pay cash, it is still King
 
Goes to show most people don't check the docket. I always do and find lots of overcharges on a regular basis. The fees levied by banks on businesses are tax deductible and there is no justification for collecting them from customers as well - double-dipping in fact. Unfortunately the Reserve Bank so far has sanctioned them being on-charged. To begin with, only credit cards were to be charged, not savings or cheque accounts. It's time the system was corrected to favour the customer.
I always insert my card & pay directly from my Savings a/c. No charge of any kind for the 'inconvenience' of spending a few more seconds at the check out.
 
I sometimes shop at Aldi and didn’t notice they charge for tapping the debit card.. Next time I will insert my card..
I also noticed that Aldi sold the Deli 8 chip packets for $4.99. Woolworths sell 10 pack for $5.47..that was a surprise for me..since I thought Aldi was always cheaper than other stores( I think on some items )
 
I only have and use a Debit Card and have avoided this charge BUT on Saturday 6th September I went to was my car at a big car wash in Braddon. No cash, Card only BUT then a card surcharge. I left. This is disgusting and possibly verging beyond moral.
 
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I used the insert card the other day and still got the fee!
 
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I used the insert card the other day and still got the fee!
You may have selected the wrong account. There are usually 3 options on offer. I was nearly caught last weekend because the merchant had a different unit from others I use regularly.
 
How did anyone not know that Aldi charges a card fee for 'Credit' transactions?? It has been that way since Aldi first opened here years ago and it was openly stated. If you choose to tap, rather than insert, you are automatically choosing the 'Credit' option (is there really anyone who doesn't know this either?), even if your card is a Debit card and the money comes out of your account immediately. Just insert and put your PIN in to avoid the fee.
Sorry, no sympathy for anyone who chooses to use their phone, 'smart' watch or some other non card method to pay. If you really want to go down that track, you should be willing to pay a small fee for the privilege.
 
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Certainly I would - and do! Retailers outlets continually find ways to gauge that little bit extra from their customers and until the public arc up about the way the retail sector keep doing this, this method of ripping off customers will keep happening!
 
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Some eftpos machines are so different to others that by the time you are trying to work out where to insert the damn thing its tapped your card without you knowing it and I find that very annoying as I insert as a rule. Shouldn't be allowed to do that. Your card, your option. It may only be a few cents but they all add up over a period of time. I always carry cash but sometimes easier to use the card. Once I move I might change to cash and see how I go. It's the weight if coins that is annoying and lately don't even carry a wallet.
 
it is a rio off as you get charged even on a debit card. Insert your card at a register and half the time the machines will not accept your pin. I have had this a couple of times and then used my card straight after elsewhere and all is good. Same hapoens at a self serve register which you are forced to use when no registers are operating. I will only go to Aldi if I have enough cash. I do not like paying fees especially when using a debit card.
I have had this happen in some stores where my card will not work for debit from my account forcing you to use the credit option and be charged a fee. Yes it is a rip off and puts you in a bind of going through cancelling or just accepting it - this happens in Uniquo stores and the Shaver Shop. The first time this happened I went straight to the bank to check my card thinking something had happened, wasting my time as I had to travel to the nearest bank 25 km away and que for ages to be served worrying all the time that my card was being compromised as I was travelling and waiting = stress plus. The tricks that our new ways of paying makes.
 
Aldi has always stated they charge a surcharge for payment with credit card regardless whether you tap or insert. Even though its A and B surcharge, it adds up to the amount they say they charge. So its not a hidden charge. I don't see the problem. Pay by debit or cash and there is no charge. It's a choice you make. it's the banks that need to stop charging businesses.
Great reply-Factual and nicely shared information.
 
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The local shopping centre bakery charges gst on all goods and you have to press “OK” for this to buy your goods. Downright “”rip off” 😡
GST isn't meant to be free on pastries and the likes. If you get charged GST on bread, you may want to ask them why.
 
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if i can't pay with cash in any shop i don't buy i walk out
 
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Here in wa almost every shop now passes on the bank charge for having and using an EFTPOS machine to the customer... even some do not even accept cash. I have learnt now to only use cash and if they don't accept it, i walk out... why should I be penalised for paying with my own hard earned money... don't have a credit card, banks charge you for it then shops charge you to use it.
Well said!
 
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Reactions: Benny's Light
it is a rio off as you get charged even on a debit card. Insert your card at a register and half the time the machines will not accept your pin. I have had this a couple of times and then used my card straight after elsewhere and all is good. Same hapoens at a self serve register which you are forced to use when no registers are operating. I will only go to Aldi if I have enough cash. I do not like paying fees especially when using a debit card.
THe only occasion I tap my card is with my hairdresser who works from home
 
The local shopping centre bakery charges gst on all goods and you have to press “OK” for this to buy your goods. Downright “”rip off” 😡
GST is a totally different charge thing to ‘card surcharge’.
 

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