What do you do if a place doesn't accept credit cards?

[grinlikechelsea]

There's a couple good small businesses in my town that are cash only. They are all outstanding, so I usually carry a $20 just in case I want to go there.

[chwebb1]

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@enharu wrote:
@chwebb, it's not just about the transaction fees. Some restaurants are not accepting cards for fraud related purposes. Most restaurants do not ID customers who are paying via card, because it may just seem rude outright to be carding someone at his/her dinner table as if he's suspicious / shady. Not exactly the best dining experience. It's also an inconvenience to make customers walk to the cashiers table to card them. Thieves usually avoid using credit cards at major retailers simply because of the CCTVs in place, hence they target mom and pop establishments instead.

And of course, some restaurants are doing it to report less taxes. I won't go into the legality of such actions, but if they pull it off successfully, its a lot of savings.

For me personally, it all depends on my mood at that time and how lazy I am. Most cash only places that I frequent happen to be restaurants. If I'm craving that food a lot and don't mind making a trip to the ATM, then yea why not. I do try keep a couple hundred on me at all times, just in case anyways.

I usually avoid cash only stores or using cash in stores, unless they provide some sort of substantial discount for using cash. Certain stores do give nice discounts, such as not charging sales tax, if payment is made via cash. For an expensive purchase, that can be a pretty significant discount. You have to trust the store and do your homework of course since you won't have credit card companies to back you in the event that something goes wrong.

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Businesses aren't allowed to card people as a condition to accept a credit card, correct? The only reason they'd be allowed to card you is if you bought alcohol?

As far as paying less taxes, I hope that the IRS lowers the hammer on those businesses doing that.

[chwebb1]

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@Platinum wrote:

Prediction:

Some day in the future the cash will be discontinued as a legal tender. All transactions will be electronic, safe and transparent (transparent to authorities) so that no one is able to cheat any more in gray economy.

Just my prediction.  

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Yes, please! I hate it when people hand me cash. I wouldn't have to make trips to the ATM to deposit cash when I get it!

[jenn_bar]

I either write a Bluebird check or don't go there! This is really only an issue at my local nail salon. They take card for the payment, but not tip, so I use BB checks.

[chwebb1]

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@enharu wrote:
@Platinum, fake cash is often a lot easier to detect than fake cards. Plus, it's a lot more work and much harder for one to actually forge currency notes.

On the other hand, anyone who picks up a random credit card on the street, or stole one, can use it. Some customers would even file chargebacks on the pretense the card was stolen simply because they had a bad dining experience.

In both scenarios, the merchant is screwed. But not every tom, dick, or Harry can become a counterfeiter just because he wants to.

And fingerprint / iris / other biometric scanners are just too intrusive. If your SSN is stolen, you can have it replaced. On the other hand, you cannot replace your biometric info if some hacker is to get their hands on it.

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If a merchant is afraid that a card they had given to them is fake, can't they do a Code 10 and check the card with a blacklight? Legitimate cards will have UV Fluorescent ink on them reading the card brand (AMEX and Discover) or the initials of the issuer (MasterCard) or a V over the Visa logo for a Visa card.

[FocusedAndDetermined]

I have no problems paying with cash at the few local businesses that are cash only.  One of them is a not-for-profit bakery that supports local teens.  I wouldn't want any part of my purchase going to a CCC.

[kimmiller112]

There are only two places I frequent that do not accept credit cards.  For the ice cream place, a cone costs $3.50, so I understand not wanting to accept cards for small transaction totals.  The ice cream is good and I always carry a five dollar bill just for ice cream.  The other place is my hair dresser and he is so good that I am fine with the cash or check policy he has.  I do carry around $40 on me at all times in case I need it.

[enharu]

@chwebb, its a lot of trouble having to do code 10 calls for both major retailers and mom and pop stores. In theory stores aren't supposed to card if you have signed your card (or something along those lines), but this hasn't stopped retailers from enforcing this rule either. Try buying something expensive from any store, and they will definitely ask for an ID. Even sales associates at expensive boutiques such as Chanel will ask you for your ID unless you are a regular.

The reason merchants do so is because they are not as well protected as consumers are on the event of a fraudulent transaction.

[Anonymous]

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@jenn_bar wrote:
I either write a Bluebird check or don't go there! This is really only an issue at my local nail salon. They take card for the payment, but not tip, so I use BB checks.

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Don't you need to preauthorize them?  So before you go?

[Anonymous]

Some businesses like Aldi by virtue of deep discounts they offer- Almost 20% on some products over Sams Club or Costco- do not accept credit cards. I find acceptable to pay by debit card.

As long as return policy is good, it is OK to if they donot accept credit cards. I will go there again.