"solar penguin" wrote:

And if you think I'm being paranoid, ask yourself why TfL banned
newsagents from accepting credit/debit card payments for Oyster top-
ups. Think about it. I can't think of any reason for it except that
it means anyone wanting to use card payments for Oyster to either use
the website or the facilities at stations, so the authorities will be
able to link the specific credit/debit card holder with the specific
Oyster card...

But TfL *haven't* banned newsagents from accepting credit/debit card
payments for Oyster top-ups - it's up to the newsagents themselves to decide
on whether they want to offer that or not. It's worth bearing in mind the
cost to the shopkeeper of processing credit/debit card payments, which might
well wipe out the commission they get for selling Oyster top-ups, or at
least significantly reduce it to the point of it not being worth their
while. If customers are making a larger purchase, of which topping up their
Oyster is only part, then shopkeepers might well be more amenable to payment
by credit/debit card - though some will have it as an absolute rule.

(Is that acceptable, Big Brother? Good, I'll post it now...)