There's a lot of non-news behind the announcement that retailers this week have the option of adding surcharges on some credit card purchases. Our story ran this morning at Spokesman.com.

The quick answer:  No one we know is going to be the first company to announce they are adding surcharges. Every retailer who accepts credit cards is already factoring that cost into the price. Hence, few will try to justify going to the trouble of now adding a formal surcharge for the "swipe fee"(the percent of the purchase the retailer pays to the credit card firm).

The New York Times also listed reasons why retailers won't be adding the charges.

If anyone sees a surcharge out there, please send us a photo. We'll send a $5 coffee card to anyone who can show an actual instance of a retailer adding a surcharge. We'll send out three cards to the first three submitters.

The photo has to show the required sign posted at the register that explains the retailer now is adding the charge.  If you find a surcharge on a website, we'll accept a screen grab as proof.

Restrictions: Has to be in any of the following states: Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho or Montana.

The first three submissions must be from three different stores and the submissions have to be by three different readers.

Send your images to Business@spokesman.com.

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