Credit Card scam - Bar Foscarini, Venice

Good for you for speaking up for yourself, without, I'm sure, being unnecessarily difficult. Occasionally, it is called for. I've had a similar experience with Italian vendors who claim they have no change, but when I insist, they at least were able to get correct change from the friend standing next to them. Have you noticed that many Italian conversations look like a serious argument but turn out to be about nothing?

I suggest you copy your post to Trip Advisor, which has a listing for this restaurant. Perhaps the management will stop this practice if they see enough negative publicity.

Rick Steves recommends this place in his Venice book, which gives you another option. In each book he gives an email address saying that he wants to hear from readers - compliments and problems. So be sure to send this experience in. I've seen places that pull scams like this, such as a hotel we stayed at in Rome, removed from his book.

If an establishment has a credit card logo but does not accept cards, you should file a complain to your credit card issuer. If too many complaints are filed by different customers the establishment may have its credit card contract revoked.

Several times in Italian hotels I was told the card reader wasn't working, or words to that effect. This is with ads promoting the use of a credit card at that location. Then I ran into a hotel that offered a 5% discount for paying in cash. I think some establishments simply don't want to pay the Visa fees. I pay cash most places in Europe to avoid credit card problems, including fraud. I'll take that discount, thank you.

Taking a credit card is a courtesy and not a right even if they put up a sign, it is still their choice. Common business practices in Europe can actually be different than in the US. Some American tourist seem to not appreciate the differences.

Posting a cc logo, and then claiming wifi failure or some other nonsense - - it used to be a claim that the imprinter wasn't working - - isn't "disingenuous," it's dishonest. For a variety of reasons, like being out of cash, we have occasionally selected a restaurant, partly because we could use a cc. Here's an example. Once in the pre-euro days, we were spending the night in Nice before catching an early train to Turin. We had carefully used up most of our francs. When we went to pay, the proprietor adamantly refused to take our cc, despite displaying the Visa logo. She insisted that my husband go find an atm, while I stayed as a hostage. I'm fine with establishments that take cash only; I just like to deal with honest people, who are upfront about their policies.

I guess it is a matter of view point. But I don't view it as a scam or dishonest, just inconvenient - different business culture. If using a credit card is critical them ask before hand. I was involved for years in a business that did a lot of credit card business but it was still a courtesy to take cards. No legal requirement or contractual requirement from Visa/Mastercard. It was our sole responsibility for accepting cards and we did reject cards. We did not do it frequently but bad card comes back to us. Visa or Mastercard doesn't eat it, it comes out of the merchant's pocket. So, first I use primarily cash - just easier - and if I am going to use a credit card, I ask. Just double checking, point to the sign, show the card, you do take ????

You can get your drawers in knot over this but my experience is that European merchants do not have the same attitude that is frequent in the US that the customer is always right. Remember, you are still a guest in their country.