I've been shopping with SCM for over a decade and have always had a great experience. The only thing that I don't like is their archaic system of mailing paper checks. They are only 1 of 2 companies that I shop for who still issues paper checks.
Now they are using a system called "DELUXE PAY EXCHANGE." Right as I clicked to have my $18 payment sent to PayPal, something about a $4.99 fee caught my eye at the last second. I went into the FAQ's and found that for any of the 3 payment methods available, they charge a minimum of $4.99 or 1.99% - 2.29%, whichever is GREATER!
So at the bare minimum it is costing independent contractors $4.99 just to receive money that we've earned, and our reward for taking more advanced or multiple shops is to have even more of our money taken away. Even worse, it's not even instant! It's a minimum of 1-3 business days depending on check delivery method!!!!
So roughly 30% of my $18 pay, went to just being able to receive it! This is ridiculous! I called Deluxe Pay Exchange's customer service to see if they could reverse the payment and was told by a very nice apologetic agent, sorry, nothing they could do as the $4.99+ fee is from another 3rd party company that actually issues the money.
Yes, I understand this is on me for not completely reading the email from SCM all the way through and for hitting send too quickly to process the payment. The SCM email states that I can still receive a paper check and that they do not cover any fees. The way that I read it was that I had 3 more days to sign up for this new service or I would have to contact SCM to have a check recut.
Again, my bad for not reading the entire email all the way through. However, having a system that charges shoppers to get the money they earned in a way that is now the industry standard, and what one would think for SCM is a more efficient way is not fair to its loyal shoppers. SCMs accounting costs should not be put onto our backs.