Community Chat

[ahoymate]

Where I live, major US city, cash is not accepted at a lot of businesses. CC are only accepted. More secure. 

[sunshine45]

yes, in lots of places in our area.

as a small business owner, we just adjusted our prices up to help cover some of the costs of credit card processing. we also sometimes give a small discount for cash or checks or money transfers.

[Meowingkitty]

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@Desertdi wrote:

NOT where I live.    In fact, nobody wants to even touch CASH since Covid.    Even thrift and $ stores now have card readers.

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We have found a couple of restaurants that charge a fee. When we bought our new a/c last year there was a fee if we wanted to use a credit card and when I bought my new bedroom furniture a couple of years ago the Amish store charged a fee. We simply wrote a check for the both items and we always carry cash  for restaurants if when we get there we find out they will charge a fee. They are making a killing on them. The banks only charge 2-2.5% and the stores are charging customers 3-4%. It really ads up on big purchases.

[Kachina624]

Merchants are taking advantage of the inflationary trend to price gouge consumers and most will roll over and accept it.  Maybe revive checks?

I'm fighting with Waste Management, my garbage service.  They announced a "convenience" fee for using credit/debit cards.   So I did a direct online transfer from my bank and now they claim I owe them the fee.  I think not!  It didn't cost them a cent.

[MamaWick]

This irks me!  This has always been the cost of doing business and had previously been absorbed by the businesses.  It seems these fees have become prevalent in the last 5 years (since Covid).

If the businesses wants to raise their rates 3-5%, then okay...it would be hidden.  However to blatantly pass it on to me makes me angry.  

We only use our credit card for larger purchases or groceries.  Cash in all restaurants.  

[smb3]

Yes, I encountered it for the first time last week when I went to the dentist and they charge 3% for credit card payments.  I wasn't happy when I read that in their financial policy.  

[shoesnbags]

Yes I've been seeing this in my area for the past year or so. My ENT's office is one of the places I've encountered this. I understand the reason for it and don't mind if it's for a small bill because I do carry some cash. But I also carry one check in my wallet for larger amounts. 

But something happened yesterday that kind of aggravated me. I had lunch with friends at a cafe we've gone to for years. You order and pay at the counter and they call out your number when your food is ready. I paid with my credit card and didn't notice that there was an added fee for using a card. If the cashier had said something, I would have paid in cash. I'm assuming that there must have been a sign somewhere that I missed, but it just kind of left me with a bad feeling. If you're going to charge me extra, let me know in advance. 

[We rescue cats]

I so seldom have cash though I have been trying to make sure I have it, I forgot about carrying my checkbook....thanks for that reminder! When I had my business we accepted Amex cards, they strictly prohibited charging a fee to accept their card, I don't knoow if that still stands or not. It's getting to be the new thing around here as well, even my chiropractor is doing it. 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

We have been buying gas with cash for several years now. The price is always cheaper per gallon, and all gas stations in our tri-state (PA, NJ, DE) area accept cash, as well as NY and other states North. 

I also think it is more secure, as many times gas stations have been the victims of those skimmer devices for credit cards. 

Well, a few years ago we discovered that in Vermont almost EVERY restaurant and small store charges that 3% extra cost.  So when we travel there, we only pay in cash, except for the hotels, and if we had to, I would drive to the ATM and give them the cash.

I guess the credit card processing fees have increased, but I do not really think the costs should be passed on to us, the consumers.

Recently I just saw it happening around here somewhere, but I cannot recall the location. 

Should we go back to writing checks in person at the counters?

[We rescue cats]

@shoesnbags Absolutely agree! Unless it is posted somewhere I would be miffed as well, and I am NOT normally price sensitive about things (Just ask my husband!)