Do you carry cash?

PureandEasy
PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
in All Encompassing Trip

I went to a local produce store today with the intention of buying apples and cucumbers. The cost was $4.  When I attempted to pay with my debit card the cashier said there was an $8 minimum to use a card. I said I don’t have any cash on me.  He said, I can’t let you slide.  I left the items on the counter and walked out.

It’s not a matter of buying $4 more of items, it’s the principle.  I didn’t want anything else or I would have included other items in my purchase.

I very rarely have cash on hand.  Nowadays, people don’t even have a card on hand, they use their phone.

Afterward, I visited with family and discussed the situation.  One of my family members was appalled that I don’t carry cash.  Who doesn’t carry cash?? was her indignant reply.  

Most people, am I right??  And shouldn't business's adapt? I was pissed, I just don't get it.  This place does MEGA business, you can't tell me they can't work out a deal with their provider that doesn't pass the cost off on the consumer.
Don't come closer or I'll have to go
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Comments

  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,814
    PureandEasy said:

    I went to a local produce store today with the intention of buying apples and cucumbers. The cost was $4.  When I attempted to pay with my debit card the cashier said there was an $8 minimum to use a card. I said I don’t have any cash on me.  He said, I can’t let you slide.  I left the items on the counter and walked out.

    It’s not a matter of buying $4 more of items, it’s the principle.  I didn’t want anything else or I would have included other items in my purchase.

    I very rarely have cash on hand.  Nowadays, people don’t even have a card on hand, they use their phone.

    Afterward, I visited with family and discussed the situation.  One of my family members was appalled that I don’t carry cash.  Who doesn’t carry cash?? was her indignant reply.  

    Most people, am I right??  And shouldn't business's adapt? I was pissed, I just don't get it.  This place does MEGA business, you can't tell me they can't work out a deal with their provider that doesn't pass the cost off on the consumer.
    Are you under 25?

    Stores are realising that they can make more money by not taking American Express cards and also by doing cash only.
  • dankind
    dankind Posts: 20,841
    Dude, I used my card for a cup of coffee at a youth hockey concession stand today. Even a tiny business such as that is smart enough to realize the universal truth is that no one carries cash anymore. 

    I do feel a lot worse for homeless people these days for that very reason, though. 
    I SAW PEARL JAM
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    I don’t carry cash but have always accepted card minimums as a way of life but get where you are coming from at this point 
  • pjhawks
    pjhawks Posts: 13,044
    yes never less than $40 in my wallet. I do agree though that business has to accept a card. I’m guessing there is a charge to the business to process it and that’s why they don’t accept it for such a small cost. Bad business move for them 
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    pjhawks said:
    yes never less than $40 in my wallet. I do agree though that business has to accept a card. I’m guessing there is a charge to the business to process it and that’s why they don’t accept it for such a small cost. Bad business move for them 
    You’re guessing there is a credit card processing fee?!? Holy shit you cracked the code
  • pjhawks
    pjhawks Posts: 13,044
    Cliffy6745 said:
    pjhawks said:
    yes never less than $40 in my wallet. I do agree though that business has to accept a card. I’m guessing there is a charge to the business to process it and that’s why they don’t accept it for such a small cost. Bad business move for them 
    You’re guessing there is a credit card processing fee?!? Holy shit you cracked the code
    Debit not credit.  If only he played ball for bama  football he could get his meals free 
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    pjhawks said:
    Cliffy6745 said:
    pjhawks said:
    yes never less than $40 in my wallet. I do agree though that business has to accept a card. I’m guessing there is a charge to the business to process it and that’s why they don’t accept it for such a small cost. Bad business move for them 
    You’re guessing there is a credit card processing fee?!? Holy shit you cracked the code
    Debit not credit.  If only he played ball for bama  football he could get his meals free 
    Hmmm, didn’t realize companies break out different machines (processing companies) for debit and credit cards.
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    tempo_n_groove said:
    PureandEasy said:

    I went to a local produce store today with the intention of buying apples and cucumbers. The cost was $4.  When I attempted to pay with my debit card the cashier said there was an $8 minimum to use a card. I said I don’t have any cash on me.  He said, I can’t let you slide.  I left the items on the counter and walked out.

    It’s not a matter of buying $4 more of items, it’s the principle.  I didn’t want anything else or I would have included other items in my purchase.

    I very rarely have cash on hand.  Nowadays, people don’t even have a card on hand, they use their phone.

    Afterward, I visited with family and discussed the situation.  One of my family members was appalled that I don’t carry cash.  Who doesn’t carry cash?? was her indignant reply.  

    Most people, am I right??  And shouldn't business's adapt? I was pissed, I just don't get it.  This place does MEGA business, you can't tell me they can't work out a deal with their provider that doesn't pass the cost off on the consumer.
    Are you under 25?

    Stores are realising that they can make more money by not taking American Express cards and also by doing cash only.
    If I could turn back time, yes I could be under 25.  I was using a debit bank card, pretty much same as cash, comes right out of my account into the merchant's account.  Here's a question for you, do you live in America???
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    dankind said:
    Dude, I used my card for a cup of coffee at a youth hockey concession stand today. Even a tiny business such as that is smart enough to realize the universal truth is that no one carries cash anymore. 

    I do feel a lot worse for homeless people these days for that very reason, though. 
    As do I for the homeless on the street.  I've often thought about this very thing, most people don't carry cash.  
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    There are two options...slightly higher costs of goods to cover the processing costs or a card minimum who pay the vendor less for the same goods. People who pay cash lose out on one. Processing companies make out on the other 
  • pjhawks
    pjhawks Posts: 13,044
    Cliffy6745 said:
    pjhawks said:
    Cliffy6745 said:
    pjhawks said:
    yes never less than $40 in my wallet. I do agree though that business has to accept a card. I’m guessing there is a charge to the business to process it and that’s why they don’t accept it for such a small cost. Bad business move for them 
    You’re guessing there is a credit card processing fee?!? Holy shit you cracked the code
    Debit not credit.  If only he played ball for bama  football he could get his meals free 
    Hmmm, didn’t realize companies break out different machines (processing companies) for debit and credit cards.
     I don’t know what they charge for debit. I don’t work for a fucking convenience store.  What does tua pay for coffee? Oh wait he doesn’t.  

    I don’t understand not carrying cash. 
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    pjhawks said:
    Cliffy6745 said:
    pjhawks said:
    Cliffy6745 said:
    pjhawks said:
    yes never less than $40 in my wallet. I do agree though that business has to accept a card. I’m guessing there is a charge to the business to process it and that’s why they don’t accept it for such a small cost. Bad business move for them 
    You’re guessing there is a credit card processing fee?!? Holy shit you cracked the code
    Debit not credit.  If only he played ball for bama  football he could get his meals free 
    Hmmm, didn’t realize companies break out different machines (processing companies) for debit and credit cards.
     I don’t know what they charge for debit. I don’t work for a fucking convenience store.  What does tua pay for coffee? Oh wait he doesn’t.  

    I don’t understand not carrying cash. 
    Debit/credit...any company that plays middle man between shopper, store and money is going to charge a fee regardless of if they are paying credit or debit
  • Meltdown99
    Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    I usually have cash with me...just for instances like this...

    I have an Uncle that pays cash for pretty much everything...
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    I'll have cash on me only for something specific.  Otherwise, I use my debit card for everything and have never been charged a fee to do so.

    (I don't give cash to the local homeless folks anymore because of this, but I do sometimes offer up unused $5-ish giftcards for markets and small eateries :) )

    It's too bad the company you went to doesn't seem to care about losing a sale - or sales, P&E.
  • pjhawks
    pjhawks Posts: 13,044
    Do you wait to get your card out until you get up to the register too? Those people drive me crazy
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    Ok, so this is what I was trying to find out, is this normal. I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that if the business made a certain dollar amount, they were not charged processing fees.  Or they shouldn't be.  It should be built into their business expense, not passed on to the consumer.  I'm not talking a mom and pop shop here, this place does MEGA business.  
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    PureandEasy said:
    Ok, so this is what I was trying to find out, is this normal. I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that if the business made a certain dollar amount, they were not charged processing fees.  Or they shouldn't be.  It should be built into their business expense, not passed on to the consumer.  I'm not talking a mom and pop shop here, this place does MEGA business.  
    Yes, the mega business is much different and to your and my point, should just be passed off to the consumer in extremely small increase in costs. It’s generally bad business for them to have a minimum at that level.

    Square and the like charge a massive amount because businesses that use them, can’t really get a bigger company to work with and they Can charge a shit load. So you’ll see those businesses almost always have a minimum.

    Every business bakes it into their costs, whether it be through minimums or cost of goods. Some are more convenient for customers than others.

    Side note, I may or may not be invested in a small credit card processing business 


  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    hedonist said:
    I'll have cash on me only for something specific.  Otherwise, I use my debit card for everything and have never been charged a fee to do so.

    (I don't give cash to the local homeless folks anymore because of this, but I do sometimes offer up unused $5-ish giftcards for markets and small eateries :) )

    It's too bad the company you went to doesn't seem to care about losing a sale - or sales, P&E.

    Oh Hedo, sale(s) is the correct term.  I will never shop there again.  I will go so far as to not accept produce that my father has purchased from this establishment.  He goes there all the time and will say, do you need some apples, grapes?  My father is 86 and yes, he carries cash all the time.  He was part of the family gathering today and when I was leaving he said, do you need some cash so you can go and get your produce.  No dad, thanks, but no, I'll manage.  :)  



    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • PureandEasy
    PureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    pjhawks said:
    Do you wait to get your card out until you get up to the register too? Those people drive me crazy
    Oh hell no, I usually put it in my back pocket so I can't quickly access it.  
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,064
    edited November 2019
    Stuffy comment... in 2019 carrying and paying for things in cash is poor money management unless you are getting a better price 

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