American Dream Ferris Wheel Fined By State For Not Accepting Cash

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — This week, the Ferris wheel operator at American Dream mega-mall was fined by the state because they have been trying to discourage customers from paying with cash.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin announced the fine Tuesday, along with fines against three other businesses he says refused to accept cash, including Hidden Grounds Coffee in Hoboken.

According to the AG, Skyviews of America, LLC, which operates the mall's "Dream Wheel," prefers to accept credit or debit cards only.

When a customer tries to pay in cash, Dream Wheel staff requires them to purchase gift cards from another merchant, which comes with a surcharge.

Skyviews of America was given a $1,000 fine and a warning to end the practice, or they could be shut down by the state. You can read their violation here: https://nj.gov/oag/newsrelease...

Today, there is a trend of many businesses going "cash-less."

It is illegal, said NJ Attorney General Platkin, the state's top law enforcement officer. Many poor people simply do not have credit or debit cards.

“New Jersey consumers deserve to be able to pay however they can,” he said. “Many consumers from underrepresented communities do not have access to bank accounts or credit cards."

“The law protects consumers’ right to pay for goods and services with cash," said Cari Fais, acting director of the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, a powerful state agency that protects consumers' rights in New Jersey.

Merchants in New Jersey must always give consumers the option to pay cash.

And, while businesses are allowed to charge credit card surcharges, they are required to disclose those fees prior to purchase. Businesses are expressly forbidden from advertising one price and then charging a higher fee when a customer goes to pay.

If you want to report a New Jersey business you think is not being fair or honest with customers, file an online complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs. Consumers can also call 1-800-242-5846 to receive a complaint form by mail.

American Dream also sued this week over last April's shooting at the mall

This comes the same week American Dream owners Triple Five Group were sued by a former security director at the mall, who said he was fired after last April's shooting in one of the mall's parking decks.

The security director, Jonathan Silva, claims he was wrongfully fired after he pointed out inadequacies in mall security after the shooting. Read that whole story on NorthJersey.com.

Former American Dream employee says he was scapegoated for shooting at mall

Three other NJ businesses fined for not accepting cash

As part of the Attorney General's crackdown on businesses that refuse to accept cash, three other NJ businesses were named this week, for either not accepting cash or for charging credit card surcharges.

They are:

• Hidden Grounds Coffee in Hoboken, which agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,000 because their staff refused to accept cash as a method of payment. They also agreed to retrain all their employees. They also have a New Brunswick location.
• Ronnie’s Hot Bagels in Hillsdale - issued a $500 penalty for not disclosing card surcharges
• Seymour’s Café in Clifton - issued a $500 penalty for not disclosing card surcharges

How to be a smarter consumer:

• Check the receipt to make sure the price charged matches the advertised or posted price of an item (plus tax, if applicable).

• Look for the merchant to display full price (excluding tax) using each method of payment accepted. For example, the merchant should display the full price if the customer pays in cash and display the amount that will be charged if a card surcharge applies, which can be stated as a percentage.

• Be wary of card surcharges that exceed the normal cost of the processing fee, which is typically around 1-5%.