Beware of hidden fees this Valentine’s Day: Experts reveal the "harmful" charges that could cost you more than love
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Valentine’s Day—the time of year we celebrate love with roses, heartfelt cards, and romantic dinners.
But, as much as we’d like to focus on the romance, there’s a hidden side to the day of love that could leave you with a little less in your wallet.
Retail experts are warning about the hidden fees that can sneak into your Valentine’s Day purchases.
These are the kinds of surprises no one wants when celebrating love, so let’s break down the truth about these fees and how to avoid them.
By staying aware and making smart choices, you can ensure your celebration of love doesn’t come with unexpected costs.
The hidden costs of Cupid's arrow
As we get closer to Valentine’s Day, the Kentucky Retail Federation is raising warning signs about the so-called "swipe" fees—the charges that banks place on retailers for processing credit and debit card payments. While these fees may seem small, they add up quickly, especially during busy shopping seasons like Valentine’s Day.
According to the Merchant Payments Coalition, these fees could add over $600 million to shoppers’ bills this February—money that could be better spent on extra chocolates or a more lavish bouquet.
Breaking down the swipe fee issue
To put it into perspective, the average person spends about $188.81 for Valentine’s Day.
The hidden swipe fee? An additional $4.27 on top of that, which is about the cost of a greeting card—meaning you could be unknowingly paying for two cards but only take one home.
For those planning a grand romantic gesture—say, popping the question with a diamond ring—swipe fees become even more significant. For a one-carat diamond ring, averaging $6,000, the swipe fee could be a hefty $135. That's enough to cover a romantic dinner for two!
Since the pandemic, swipe fees have risen by 50%, reaching a record $172 billion in 2023. These charges aren’t just frustrating for consumers; they’re also one of the highest operating costs for retailers, second only to labor.
The most affected Valentine’s Day purchases
According to the National Retail Federation, the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts include candy, flowers, greeting cards, an evening out, and jewelry. Here’s how swipe fees impact those purchases:
How to avoid the swipe fee trap
While retailers may be stuck with these charges, there are ways for consumers to avoid paying extra. Paying with cash is an easy way to sidestep the swipe fees altogether.
You can also shop at discount stores like Dollar Tree, where Valentine’s Day decorations and flowers are often much cheaper compared to other retailers.
This Valentine’s Day, let’s make sure our money is spent on what truly matters—meaningful experiences and thoughtful gifts, not hidden fees.
So, as you plan your celebrations, keep an eye on the true cost of your purchases and the payment methods you use. After all, love should be the only thing that’s priceless this Valentine’s Day.
Have you ever encountered hidden fees while shopping during the holidays? Do you have any tips for avoiding these charges or finding the best deals? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below. Let’s work together to make this Valentine’s Day affordable and full of love!
Also read:
Vintage Valentine's day rituals you won't believe—#7 on the list will shock you!
This "cult classic" flavor is making an unbelievable comeback for Valentine’s Day – get the scoop now!
Unveiled: Krispy Kreme's irresistible Valentine's collection — You need to see this!
But, as much as we’d like to focus on the romance, there’s a hidden side to the day of love that could leave you with a little less in your wallet.
Retail experts are warning about the hidden fees that can sneak into your Valentine’s Day purchases.
These are the kinds of surprises no one wants when celebrating love, so let’s break down the truth about these fees and how to avoid them.
By staying aware and making smart choices, you can ensure your celebration of love doesn’t come with unexpected costs.
Hidden fees can add up quickly on Valentine’s Day, making your celebration more costly than expected—beware of those sneaky charges! Image Source: Pexels / Photo By: Kaboompics.com.
The hidden costs of Cupid's arrow
As we get closer to Valentine’s Day, the Kentucky Retail Federation is raising warning signs about the so-called "swipe" fees—the charges that banks place on retailers for processing credit and debit card payments. While these fees may seem small, they add up quickly, especially during busy shopping seasons like Valentine’s Day.
According to the Merchant Payments Coalition, these fees could add over $600 million to shoppers’ bills this February—money that could be better spent on extra chocolates or a more lavish bouquet.
Breaking down the swipe fee issue
To put it into perspective, the average person spends about $188.81 for Valentine’s Day.
The hidden swipe fee? An additional $4.27 on top of that, which is about the cost of a greeting card—meaning you could be unknowingly paying for two cards but only take one home.
For those planning a grand romantic gesture—say, popping the question with a diamond ring—swipe fees become even more significant. For a one-carat diamond ring, averaging $6,000, the swipe fee could be a hefty $135. That's enough to cover a romantic dinner for two!
Since the pandemic, swipe fees have risen by 50%, reaching a record $172 billion in 2023. These charges aren’t just frustrating for consumers; they’re also one of the highest operating costs for retailers, second only to labor.
Every swipe comes at a cost—watch out for hidden fees that could inflate your Valentine’s Day expenses! Image Source: Pexels / Photo By: Kaboompics.com.
The most affected Valentine’s Day purchases
According to the National Retail Federation, the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts include candy, flowers, greeting cards, an evening out, and jewelry. Here’s how swipe fees impact those purchases:
- Jewelry: $146.9 million of the $6.5 billion expected to be spent
- Evenings out: $122 million of the $5.4 billion spent
- Flowers: $65.5 million of the $2.9 billion spent
- Candy: $56.5 million of the $2.5 billion spent
- Greeting cards: $31.6 million of the $1.4 billion spent
How to avoid the swipe fee trap
While retailers may be stuck with these charges, there are ways for consumers to avoid paying extra. Paying with cash is an easy way to sidestep the swipe fees altogether.
You can also shop at discount stores like Dollar Tree, where Valentine’s Day decorations and flowers are often much cheaper compared to other retailers.
This Valentine’s Day, let’s make sure our money is spent on what truly matters—meaningful experiences and thoughtful gifts, not hidden fees.
So, as you plan your celebrations, keep an eye on the true cost of your purchases and the payment methods you use. After all, love should be the only thing that’s priceless this Valentine’s Day.
Have you ever encountered hidden fees while shopping during the holidays? Do you have any tips for avoiding these charges or finding the best deals? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below. Let’s work together to make this Valentine’s Day affordable and full of love!
Also read:
Vintage Valentine's day rituals you won't believe—#7 on the list will shock you!
This "cult classic" flavor is making an unbelievable comeback for Valentine’s Day – get the scoop now!
Unveiled: Krispy Kreme's irresistible Valentine's collection — You need to see this!
