Community Chat

[Icegoddess]

Recently, there was a thread about how Synchrony Bank would be charging for paper statements.  There were many who chided those of us who wanted paper statements and a lot of people who haven't written a check in years.  

Well, today I stopped in at the alterations shop to have some clothes altered.  When it came time to pay, I handed her my debit card and she said it would be a 4% upcharge for a card.  Cash would be no added fee.  I never have much cash on me so I was going to have to pay that 4%.  Then she said a check would also be no added fee.  Well, well, I so happen to keep my checkbook in my purse.  This is not the first time I've seen an upcharge for using a card.  Earlier this year, one of the nurseries I visited did it too, although they didn't mention whether a check would be the same as cash there.  

I thnk this will happen more and more as businesses, especially small businesses,  pass on those credit card fees to the customer.  

[deeva]

I always carry cash. Not going back to writing checks, 
Too many ways a check can be compromised. 

[Kachina624]

@Icegoddess.  I wonder if said seamstress is taking a nice tax deduction for "business expenses"?

[Jk9]

There are several businesses in our area that are charging for using a debit/credit card including our vet office and propane gas supplier.  I always keep a small amount of cash and a check in my wallet for when I encounter this situation.  

[Kachina624]

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@deeva wrote:

I'll start carrying cash before I write a check. Too many ways a check can be compromised. 

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@deeva  I've never had a check compromised, have you ?

[BlueFinch]

Yes, I'm seeing this more often. We were pushed into cards almost everywhere, as being the best forms of payment. Uh, yeah, until we have to pay to use them. 

[I am still oxox]

I pay all my bills on line

[deeva]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@deeva wrote:

I'll start carrying cash before I write a check. Too many ways a check can be compromised. 

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@deeva  I've never had a check compromised, have you ?

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No, but my family member did.

[Bookplate]

Every restaurant (including coffee shops) I have visited in NYC the last couple of years has included a credit card upcharge.  Usually 3 to 4%.  My friends and I now grab some cash before eating out.

And when I send a contribution to a charity via credit card they always ask if I would like to ante up a few more bucks to cover this fee.  

Ironically, during the pandemic, when it was thought (erroneously) that COVID germs could be transferred on surfaces, many merchants refused to accept cash and insisted on cards.  I would not be surprised if banks raised their cc transaction fees when this happened.

[conlt]

Up until Covid, I always had cash in my wallet. With Covid I stopped using cash because I thought It would be contaminated. Lately, I have read that many young people are paying in cash now. Paying in cash appears to be a thing.