DilemmaFollow

It had been so long since I had taken my checkbook anywhere that I didn't know this. I had to break down and buy a new pellet stove this winter, as my old one went tits up. So I transferred the appropriate amount from my savings to my checking account, went in and placed the order, and wrote out the check (since the amount was over my daily debit card limit). I finished the whole thing and the gal scanned it and gave it back to me.

I was so confused... and then she made me feel old when she explained it to me.

As to the original point, I wasn't aware companies got dinged for CC charges either. I've never been told not to use it. I used to carry cash around for small purchases just because, but lately I've been doing everything on the debit card since my bank's online features allow for some pretty nifty budget and tracking tools, so I've been trying to see what my spending habits are so I can adjust and be a little bit more financially responsible.

What I've seen before in places where the fee for using debit card was too much for the store owner to eat, they simply had a $0.50 add-on fee for using debit. Rather simple and not enough to scare most people off from using them.

What I've seen before in places where the fee for using debit card was too much for the store owner to eat

This doesn't exist. It's a ******* quarter. That's the "fee" we're talking about being "too much" for store owners. If you aren't profiting enough to fade a quarter on every exchange of cash in your retail operation, you're DOING IT WRONG.

Of course it exists. Just because you and I think a quarter is insignificant, doesn't mean crazy store owner doesn't. If you have a problem with it, you don't shop there.

Of course it exists. Just because you and I think a quarter is insignificant, doesn't mean crazy store owner doesn't.

That doesn't make it "too much". "Too much" would mean they were losing money on transactions because of the fee. Did you mean "more than the store owner wants to eat"?

Maybe Elinda is right about it being the law in places but my understanding (as someone who has never operated a store and this never needed to care) is that the "No extra fees" is part of the service users agreement with the banks. Mastercard wants you using your Mastercard so they tell the merchants that they're not allowed to tack on an extra fee so Mastercard users aren't discouraged from using it. Since not accepting Mastercard is worse for sales than the occasional fee ding, they go along.

I believe that you're not supposed to be allowed to set a purchase minimum for using a card either but so it goes.

Which I imagine is why some places don't let you use a debit card on minor transactions. A store that relies on a large number of people making a lot of $2 - $3 purchases is going to feel that bite pretty strong.

Ice Cream stands rarely take cards. It's probably a good thing.

You can usually get a deal or something else thrown in to sporting goods if you're shopping at a smaller store and offer to pay with cash.

Local small grocery store in the neighborhood, has a $10 minimum on purchases with a debit or credit card. So I usually try to find a few extra things I may not have thought of buying if I had cash on hand, over using the ATM in the back of the store. Around here using a ATM, so you can have the cash for a small purchase, is an invitation for getting rob. Also why I don't buy money orders at the local post office without making sure to fill it out before I leave the premises.

States AND Puerto Rico. In case you, I don't know, needed a reason to move there with your reluctant girlfriend.

Second only to lemonade stands.

Edited, Jun 25th 2014 12:35pm by TirithRR

Not the same thing, but at a cash-only burger bar I've gone to, if you show them a receipt from their atm, you get a free shot. (A shot of Malort, but hey, still a good value for the $3 atm fee).