As a homeowner, I have a handful of monthly bills from service providers (for example, landscapers). Most of these companies have begun tacking on a 3.5% surcharge if I charge their bill to my credit card.

I understand why they want to shift the credit card processing to me — profit — but they should just consider those charges an overhead cost of doing business.

Because what happens is that instead of paying their bill right away, I wait until I have two or three other bills that are due. Then I log onto my bank’s website and have a paper check sent via the mail.

This introduces a two or three week delay before they get their money. When a company sends me a bill that does not add a surcharge, I typically pay it the same day I receive it. (Often as soon as I read it, if their payment system supports Apple Pay, which is virtually effortless to use.)

Having my bank send a paper check costs me nothing, but the recipient must now receive, open and process that check. Which probably costs them more than the 3.5% card processing fee they are imposing. (Which, on a $50 transaction, would be about $1.75) And, given the poor mail service here in Trumpistan, the check might be severely delayed or lost, increasing their opportunity cost even more.

Plus, the practice pisses me off and reduces my satisfaction with their service. Which is, of course, priceless.