Cash or Charge in Restaurants - Page 3

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

@Lucky Charm wrote:
@sunshine45 wrote:
i would rather have them increase their pricing overall than add that extra cc percentage onto a customers bill. we have a small business and our credit card processing company is trying to get us to do this with our customers. i told them if we nickel and dime them to death we are going to lose our customers over a few dollars.

we still go to more restaurants that are NOT doing this than restaurants that are adding the surcharge. i am still using my cards and i leave a cash tip for the server. we ALSO have an added 9% alcohol tax when we are in bars and restaurants. maryland has to make its money also. LOL
@sunshine45 So if you are tipping at a restaurant and have ordered alcohol, you add the 9% on top of your usual tip? Wow, that can be pricey! I didn't even know anything about a 9% alcohol tax. Is it common knowledge?

i do tip on the total bill, even with the taxes added. the restaurant adds the taxes as a separate line charge prior to the total. i know everyone doesnt tip on top of the taxes though, some tip on just the food and drink total.

yes, here in maryland it is common knowledge, especially if you enjoy having wine, beer, or cocktails.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

San Antonio Gal · ‎05-18-2017

I rarely carry cash. I have zero cash in my wallet right now. I would hate to have to keep running to the ATM machine or bank to refill my wallet. When you spend cash, unless you write it down, it's easy to loose track of where it goes.

For our water bill and sewage bill, there's a charge paying online with a card so I write a check. Those are the only 2 checks I write each month. It's a big pain taking time to write a check and mail it in an envelope. PIA!

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@San Antonio Gal wrote:
I rarely carry cash. I have zero cash in my wallet right now. I would hate to have to keep running to the ATM machine or bank to refill my wallet. When you spend cash, unless you write it down, it's easy to loose track of where it goes.

For our water bill and sewage bill, there's a charge paying online with a card so I write a check. Those are the only 2 checks I write each month. It's a big pain taking time to write a check and mail it in an envelope. PIA!

And @San Antonio Gal , it's becoming more and more dangerous to send something through the mail.

Even an envelope without a check is in danger. DH had to send papers to a clinic in another city. IDK why this had to be done by mail, but apparently he had to sign a document attached and it couldn't be done online or by Fax. Anyway the place never got the envelope. They tried to trace it, with no results. It caused a lot of problems for some people, DH included. At least he had sent it certified mail, so he could prove he sent it.

We have one monthly bill that can't be paid online too. It has to be mailed.

My children never use checks. I tried to convince them they needed them sometimes. DD uses them once in a while. DS doesn't have any. If someplace won't take a card he gets cash out, which makes me nervous since he lives in a big city!

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

The only way to remain private/anonymous is to pay with cash.

Nobody will know our name, address, phone number, credit card number, etc., etc.

I consider this the only way to remain 'safe' in these days and times.

If I had young adult daughters, I would encourage them to pay with cash in restaurants, socializing at bars, etc., etc.

Looking way back, we didn't have to worry about being stalked unless someone actually followed us driving home.

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

laluzdelmundo · ‎12-11-2014

@Meowingkitty I was thinking exactly the same thing. There are so many restaurants in the central part of Phoenix where the parking is full. Apparently no inflation concerns, and I imagine customers aren't having a problem with credit card surcharges but who knows.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@PinkyPetunia wrote:
I don't eat out much but I have seen this in my hair salon. Their prices are for cash payment. There is an upcharge for credit cards. They don't want personal checks either.

@PinkyPetunia

Wow ... after I read your comment I remembered that somewhere I was in the last few days had a sign saying "sorry, no personal checks". Just cash or credit card.

I think it was a restaurant, but since I rarely write checks, it didn't really register.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@MamaWick wrote:
It burns my butt to see these upcharges for using a CC. I noticed this during the pandemic. This has always been the cost of doing business and had previously never been overt.

@MamaWick

Businesses get charged from 3 to 5 percent of the transaction ... for each transaction. That adds up.

I wonder if anyone has the statistics on th average cost of a meal tab ... do people spend more when using a credit card .... and/or less when planning to pay in cash?

lmt · ‎05-19-2010

Lots of restaurants in my area charge for using a credit card. I've seen charges anywhere from 3% to 5%. Some places charge a flat fee of $1 to $4 - regardless of the amount you charge. Restaurants started doing this before COVID, but it seems that more and more places have been implementing this practice in the past year.

I've seen some places alerting their customers of the credit card fee by having a sign on the front door so you're aware of the practice before you even enter the restaurant. Other times they mention the fees on the bottom of their menus. Most of the time the fees are stated on the bottom of the food bill.

We use our credit cards to pay for everything. When we dine out, however, we carry cash in case the restaurant we're dining at charges a fee, then we use money. I'm not going to pay any fees if I don't have to. Those fees really add up.

And it's not just restaurants that are charging fees. I've seen bakeries, pizza places, jewelry stores and hair salons also doing it.

Sooner or later, I won't be surprised to see that every type of business will charge to use a credit card.

catter70 · ‎10-11-2017

I almost always use cash. Recently my vet has been telling us that there will be a 3% added charge for services. Also, T Mobile is taking away the discount for using a credit card. I guess the establishments have to pay about 3% for allowing the use of the card, so they are recouping the fee they have to pay.