Credit Card Purchases

[BigAl52]

Just curious are you seeing small amounts added to your bill at a restaurant, retailer, or any other place of business in your areas. It seems to be something taking place more frequently now in this area anyway. I havent noticed this as much in Colorado but down here this year its been regular. Most places are charging 2.5% up charge if you use a card. Some places even do this with a debit card which I thought was illegal. But they are doing it. Kinda makes those cash back cards less desirable

[CT_Shooter]

I pay for almost everything with a credit card these days; partly for the cash back rewards and partly for the security of the transaction, but I have never carried a balance. It's paid fully each month. But, I also carry cash in case the vendor wants to avoid its own fees for taking credit card payments by charging back its customers. So far, it's been rare here with local businesses, but it's likely to increase.

Everybody wants our money. Even so-called billionaires are relentlessly asking paycheck-to-paycheck people to contribute to their ever-growing legal fees. And, sadly, they do.

Love this song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0kcet4aPpQ

[Sir Henry]

A credit card surcharge is common with ma and pa stores around here. Many places only take cash.

[Mags]

The only time I've noticed it was at a restaurant in Sutherland OR we sometimes frequent when traveling south.

[GFK]

Yes, I have notice a couple of restaurants doing that around here. I did ask about it. I was told that it was to cover administrative cost. So, I stop going to them. Yet, I happened to be at one, for an office get together. There was not a surcharge. I guess prices went up to cover administrative cost?

[BigAl52]

Im sure you know this but CC companies charge the businesses 5% to use there service. That comes out of their pocket. Some places figure that into there price of goods and services and some places dont. So alot of places are now charging a 2.5% or more up charge on the bill to use that card. I have cards that pay cash back of 4% if I use there card at a restaurant. Sounds good if you are the card holder but if they add a 2.5% upcharge it aint as good as it once was.

[Redthies]

I charge my customers 4% on credit card use, but I am running $10,000.00 at ago. That’s our draw amount for our custom vehicle business. I’m not eating $350 on every transaction. Most of our builds run $70-$80,000 and if I was nice to everyone, I’d lose $2,500 or more per project. Most people do electronic transfers, but some really want their miles. I offer CC use only as a courtesy.

[GFK]

Yes, a credit card is an interesting thing. Nowadays, most people do not walk around with $100s or $1,000s of dollars in their pocket. Yet, they wants services or products, and businesses want to sell their service or product, to make a living. So, there should be a win, win for all concern.

I was looking to purchase vehicle for my daugther, it was for a few thousands. The dealership wanted to charge me extra for using a card. So, I said that I would write a check. After some discussion, the manager decided to accept the card and not apply a card usage fee. To me, it is the cost of doing business. The product of service should be priced to cover the cost of providing the service or product. As a option, offering a cash price (discount) may be appealing to some. That is a thing that I like about Buds Gun Shop. It offers a cash price. So, a person can choose if he or she wants to pay a surcharge. To me, that is more acceptable than going up (surcharge) on the cost to provide a service or product. Mind you, I have not had a business that I made a living with. But, I would factoring the cost of providing a service or product then the margin of profit that I desired. If a person was willing and able to pay cash, I would look at cutting the price due to not using a card. Of course, a card may be better than a check, at least you know you will get some money. Yet, checks can be ran like a card now. So, it might not be a bad way to go.

With cash, there is no paper trail. The possessor is the owner. Therefore, a concealed carry may be require. Being the case, a credit card may the the preferred way of doing business. As such, I would price my product or service accordingly.

[dave77]

I mostly use my debit card. Don't seem to be any places around here with a surcharge other than the county courthouse that charges a fee for using a card for car tabs and property taxes. Fred Myer does have a small surcharge if you want cash back.

I recently heard that if you are using a credit/debit card someplace like a gas pump where a scanner could have been placed it's safer to use tap to pay as that generates a unique code each time it's used.

[Mags]

Likewise, I use the tap feature wherever its available.

[Hatchdog]

I mostly use my debit card. Don't seem to be any places around here with a surcharge other than the county courthouse that charges a fee for using a card for car tabs and property taxes. Fred Myer does have a small surcharge if you want cash back.

I recently heard that if you are using a credit/debit card someplace like a gas pump where a scanner could have been placed it's safer to use tap to pay as that generates a unique code each time it's used.

Didn’t know about the tap security feature, thanks for the tip.

[dave77]

The only downside is if you lose the card as tap to pay doesn't usually require entering a pin.

[HenryFan]

I never carry much cash and generally use a credit card for purchases unless the cost is small. I realize there is a cost factored in by the merchant but the convenience of a card outweighs that, at least to me.

Anyway, few places offer a "cash price" under a credit card price.

I pay the balance off each month so I don't incur an interest or late charge.

[dave77]

I carry a couple of $50's for emergencies and usually a little extra for tips as I prefer giving cash instead of putting it on my card. I'll get an extra $20 bill back on my Monday shopping bill for my Tuesday night bowling fee. Other than that I use my debit card or occasionally a credit card and I maybe write a couple of checks a year, I can't remember that last time I had to order new checks.

Also have my bank account set up to send me a text any time my debit or bank credit card is used. I check it online a couple times a week to see my balance and check recent charges.

I used to balance my checkbook monthly and would try to find the error if it was more than a few bucks, the mistake was always mine so now I just trust that what the bank says my balance is is correct.

[Vaquero]

I prefer cash to a card, the main use of my card is fuel and a few online purchases.
I have noticed that the little country store down the road charges a flat .30 cents for card use.

RP

[BigAl52]

I prefer cash to a card, the main use of my card is fuel and a few online purchases.
I have noticed that the little country store down the road charges a flat .30 cents for card use.

RP

What about the grocery store? I always use a card there. Reason for the use of the card is the cash back cards offer.

[Hatchdog]

I’m seeing some local gas stations offering two prices, one for credit and another for cash about .10 difference. I haven’t seen that for probably 10+ years. So far no stores/restaurants that I have been are putting an upcharge on but I’m going to start paying more attention. Seems like they shouldn’t be able to do that without a disclosure.

[Mags]

I’m seeing some local gas stations offering two prices, one for credit and another for cash about .10 difference.....

Chevron stations have been doing that for years here. Some others too.

[Vaquero]

Al, the wife does most of the grocery shopping and usually uses cash.
Hatch, a few of the convenience stores and gas stations have been doing that around for a couple years,
but seems that more are doing it now than before.

RP