Cash Business?

sobe_death wrote: Welcome to the entire continent of Europe. It took a VERY large amount of effort for me to get used to using only cash again when I moved here.

That's because Europe's credit score sucks.

I believe there's a company in Idaho or Utah selling firearm accessories (maybe receivers or complete guns) that will take GOLD COIN ONLY as payment.

Duke wrote:

sobe_death wrote: Welcome to the entire continent of Europe. It took a VERY large amount of effort for me to get used to using only cash again when I moved here.

That's because Europe's credit score sucks.

No coke. No keyboard. But you might owe me a new pair of underwear.

poopshovel wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

aircooled wrote:

Duke wrote: There is an old-school diner near here that only takes cash. They are throwing away 30% of their business in order to save 2% in card fees....

Oh now... don't kid yourself, that 2% is already built into all prices. Really pisses you off when you think about when you pay cash, an extra 2% tax, for nothing!

My credit card gives me 5% cash back, so I am 3% ahead of a cash payer. I pay my card off each month. I love that the company pays me to use their product. Last year I got 1500 back.

You pay the retailer (whose prices are inflated to cover the cost of running CC's,) the retailer pays the CC company, CC company pays you.

yeah, and the same price is charged even if you pay cash ... with the occasional exception for places that give a discount for cash ... most don't ... strangely my dentist is one that does

Duke wrote:

aircooled wrote:

Duke wrote: There is an old-school diner near here that only takes cash. They are throwing away 30% of their business in order to save 2% in card fees....

Oh now... don't kid yourself, that 2% is already built into all prices. Really pisses you off when you think about when you pay cash, an extra 2% tax, for nothing!

Of course it is. They won't raise their prices, I guess? It's not like they are visibly 2% cheaper than anywhere else around. On a related topic, the other day I ran across a gas station with different cash and credit prices. I haven't seen that in this century, though it used to be pretty common in the '90s.

that's quite prevalent around here ... major brands and cut-rate stations

On a related topic, the other day I ran across a gas station with different cash and credit prices. I haven't seen that in this century, though it used to be pretty common in the '90s.

that's quite prevalent around here ... major brands and cut-rate stations

Those stations are around here as well. I avoid them like the plague and go down the road to the same price stations. As a matter of fact, I avoid cash only business and also those who don't accept American Express. I've walked away from the register before due to their refusal to accept Amex. Eventually they come around to my way of thinking.

There are quite a few businesses locally, typically small restaurants, that only accept cash under a certain amount, usually $10-$15 or charge a small fee, like $.25 for using a card instead of cash. That doesn't bother me because I usually have cash anyway.

I have 2 credit cards, and almost never use them. I prefer to use a debit card for larger transactions, and always carry some cash, about $50. Preferences are regional. Debit card use in Canada was very popular very early, and I believe is predominant.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Those stations are around here as well. I avoid them like the plague and go down the road to the same price stations. As a matter of fact, I avoid cash only business and also those who don't accept American Express. I've walked away from the register before due to their refusal to accept Amex. Eventually they come around to my way of thinking.

don't think you'll ever win this one .. Amex just costs the store too much, and the loss of business to the occasional customer that feels as strongly as you do is not worth the cost of doing business with Amex ( in their opinion )

wbjones wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: Those stations are around here as well. I avoid them like the plague and go down the road to the same price stations. As a matter of fact, I avoid cash only business and also those who don't accept American Express. I've walked away from the register before due to their refusal to accept Amex. Eventually they come around to my way of thinking.

don't think you'll ever win this one .. Amex just costs the store too much, and the loss of business to the occasional customer that feels as strongly as you do is not worth the cost of doing business with Amex ( in their opinion )

I take Amex under protest. They are a pain in the ass, and I can't imagine how lucrative the credit industry is, that they have managed to survive all these years.

how much business do you think you'd loose if you put up signs that said "Amex not accepted" ?

wbjones wrote: how much business do you think you'd loose if you put up signs that said "Amex not accepted" ?

None, actually. I've only got 2 or 3 customers that use it, and they all have an option. I'm not really sure how I got suckered into adding Amex, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

so ..... how hard would it be to drop them .. save the yearly charge ?

Duke wrote:

sobe_death wrote: Welcome to the entire continent of Europe. It took a VERY large amount of effort for me to get used to using only cash again when I moved here.

That's because Europe's credit score sucks.

Funny, seriously!

Though I live in Germany

We started taking AMEX at the shop after I read an article basically saying some customers would choose another shop over yours so they could get the miles on the amex. Made sense. I know I do it.

As a vendor, I've never had any problems with them (other than the high rates.) As a consumer, I've had to dispute a handful of charges over the years, and it's been effortless.

Ymmv. I'd be interested to hear how they're a PITA to deal with.

I'm not in business, but I'd ASSume that it has to do with the price