Anybody noticing that more stores and restaurants are demanding cash or charging to use cc?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

It seems maybe a dozen different places I have been to over the past couple of months have either forbidden anything but cash to pay for food or services, or have included a 3-4% uplift of bills to cover the bank charges to them when credit cards are used.

Most are local restaurants. 

My takeaway is they are struggling financially and are willing to sideline some of their customers who do not carry cash and are unwilling to pay the bank fee.

In my case, I will never agree to pay extra to use a credit card, so it has caused me to carry around more cash than I am accustomed to.  I am also selective on where I go should I get caught with insufficient cash in my pocket.

[Kamaji]

I’ve been seeing that as well.

[bigheadfred]

Is that just cc's or debit cards too?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Is that just cc's or debit cards too?

Since I do not use a debit card, I do not know.

The other thing I have noticed is when I pay cash, my change is always rounded down for me in favor of the restaurant since pennies are not used.

Does not give me incentive to reward the server with a good tip.

[Atruepatriot]

It seems maybe a dozen different places I have been to over the past couple of months have either forbidden anything but cash to pay for food or services, or have included a 3-4% uplift of bills to cover the bank charges to them when credit cards are used.

Most are local restaurants. 

My takeaway is they are struggling financially and are willing to sideline some of their customers who do not carry cash and are unwilling to pay the bank fee.

In my case, I will never agree to pay extra to use a credit card, so it has caused me to carry around more cash than I am accustomed to.  I am also selective on where I go should I get caught with insufficient cash in my pocket.

I need to share that in the Grander Design of things this is actually a GOOD thing. And we should support it fully. If not it will be soon enough that your health insurance premium goes up because your digital bank card told on you for eating unhealthy at Denney's or IHop...

[mountaineer]

No, I haven't seen that. I tried to write a check at a medical appointment the other day, though, and was told they accept only credit cards.

[Atruepatriot]

It seems maybe a dozen different places I have been to over the past couple of months have either forbidden anything but cash to pay for food or services, or have included a 3-4% uplift of bills to cover the bank charges to them when credit cards are used.

Most are local restaurants. 

My takeaway is they are struggling financially and are willing to sideline some of their customers who do not carry cash and are unwilling to pay the bank fee.

In my case, I will never agree to pay extra to use a credit card, so it has caused me to carry around more cash than I am accustomed to.  I am also selective on where I go should I get caught with insufficient cash in my pocket.

It started with Gas Stations years ago in the late 70s. And many states still have it on the books. Almost every State in the union passed a law that stores and vendors could NOT charge extra for using a card. But what they could do was offer a "discount" for cash instead. American Express of course was behind the lawsuit that ended up having those laws passed. Point being, they might not be even legal to charge the extra "Fee" for cards. But they CAN give a discount for cash depending on existing law in that State. We used to do this, price to cover the credit card fees to us, and offer a lower price for cash. This was legal at the time.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I need to share that in the Grander Design of things this is actually a GOOD thing. And we should support it fully. If not it will be soon enough that your health insurance premium goes up because your digital bank card told on you for eating unhealthy at Denney's or IHop...

Agree totally.  Cash is king.

BTW, welcome to TBR @Atruepatriot

[DefiantMassRINO]

The CC merchant fees are eating into small, local business's already low profit margins.

The 2%-3% comes out of the 5%+ they charge the merchant on each transaction.

Those bonus points aren't free.  Those are coming off the backs of merchants that accept the credit cards.

[Wingnut]

It seems maybe a dozen different places I have been to over the past couple of months have either forbidden anything but cash to pay for food or services, or have included a 3-4% uplift of bills to cover the bank charges to them when credit cards are used.

We offer a cash discount.  We already have the CC fees baked into the price.

I had to use a CC to pay for our son's cremation at the funeral home and they added a 3% upcharge.  He was very apologetic and said he'd take a check.  I said I'd like to but it would just bounce.  We he came back with the receipt he knocked off the price of cremation box to offset the upcharge.  Nice guy. I told him he has my business for life!.  We both chuckled.  I don't know what made me say it but it was the 1st time a smiled in days.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

We offer a cash discount.  We already have the CC fees baked into the price.

I had to use a CC to pay for our son's cremation at the funeral home and they added a 3% upcharge.  He was very apologetic and said he'd take a check.  I said I'd like to but it would just bounce.  We he came back with the receipt he knocked off the price of cremation box to offset the upcharge.  Nice guy. I told him he has my business for life!.  We both chuckled.  I don't know what made me say it but it was the 1st time a smiled in days.

Am truly sorry for that loss.  Heartbreaking.

[Wingnut]

Am truly sorry for that loss.  Heartbreaking.

[Bigun]

Am truly sorry for that loss.  Heartbreaking.

Likewise! Believe me, I know how you feel!

[GtHawk]

It seems maybe a dozen different places I have been to over the past couple of months have either forbidden anything but cash to pay for food or services, or have included a 3-4% uplift of bills to cover the bank charges to them when credit cards are used.

Most are local restaurants. 

My takeaway is they are struggling financially and are willing to sideline some of their customers who do not carry cash and are unwilling to pay the bank fee.

In my case, I will never agree to pay extra to use a credit card, so it has caused me to carry around more cash than I am accustomed to.  I am also selective on where I go should I get caught with insufficient cash in my pocket.

I believe you, I just haven’t seen it, mostly because I haven’t been in a restaurant in a good two years.

[Wingnut]

Likewise! Believe me, I know how you feel!

I hate being a member of our club.

[Bigun]

I hate being a member of our club.

Don't we all?

[Atruepatriot]

Agree totally.  Cash is king.

BTW, welcome to TBR @Atruepatriot

Thank you for the privilege... :)

[libertybele]

Agree totally.  Cash is king.

BTW, welcome to TBR @Atruepatriot

There are still places (primarily self-checkout) that will only accept debit or credit cards.

Most contractors and subcontractors around here will only accept cash or checks (that is my preferred method of paying).

What just grinds me is that there are places that want you to pay in advance on one of their 'yearly' subscriptions (at a discount - ya right) or want to put you on auto pay. No way!

Many restaurants, doctor's offices are charging an additional 3% if you use a credit card.

[libertybele]

Am truly sorry for that loss.  Heartbreaking.

Ditto.

[cato potatoe]

They're trying to offset inflation.  Anything to avoid raising their top line prices.  The reduction in our standard of living is insidious:  Reduced size, cheaper quality, less interaction with American help.  Another example is how every type of service now involves gratuity.

[Smokin Joe]

They aren't demanding cash, but they are giving a discount for it (especially gas stations) here.