Cash only -- list of businesses not accepting Interact and credit cards

[goke]

I haven't noticed any cash only places here in Vic but I have no problem with it. Standing in the line at the coffee shop and watching people put $1.86 on credit or debit is annoying. You can't cough up a toonie and get this line moving?!

Based on experience and some of the blogs I read it seems about 50% or more of Asian restos in vancouver/Richmond only take cash. Haven't noticed that here.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

I thought charging someone a different price for cash was in contravention to the rules and conditions of the plastic terminal providers? And if I'm not mistaken any fees associated with accepting debit/plastic are not be to charged to the consumer.

At least these rules were in place when I last operated one of these terminals which was quite a while ago.

It's probably still that way.

In my merchant agreement, I couldn't add a surcharge for VISA/MC payments, but I could post my prices as "cash discounted pricing".

[rjag]

Originally Posted by sebberry

It's probably still that way.

In my merchant agreement, I couldn't add a surcharge for VISA/MC payments, but I could post my prices as "cash discounted pricing".

One of our suppliers clearly states that Visa/mc is accepted if you pay your invoice within 15 days of the invoice date otherwise its cheque only thereafter.

Another supplier indicates 2% discount if paying by cash/cheque within 30 days.

Our business insurance, AON, used to be paid by Visa, approx $25k but they cancelled that last year as Visa was wanting too much of a cut so they only accept cheque for business insurance over $1,000.

[Mike K.]

...so they only accept cheque for business insurance over $1,000.

Considering they now charge a minimum of $1,200 to insure a business, that's the case for virtually every transaction

[Baro]

I know some businesses like cash as it leaves no paper-trail, so they can fudge their taxes.

[Sparky]

I had lunch at Lully's today and asked him about electronic payment. Although he is cash only now, he is going to get a machine in the next few weeks.

[Mike K.]

This means that in the two years he's been in business he is now turning away far too many customers who are not carrying cash.

As for the comments that customers with Interact/credit take too long at self-serve checkouts, the pendulum swings both ways. I've stood behind people who couldn't insert their bills (mechanical issues or crumpled money) and that makes for real delays.

The process of swiping a card now is so fast and so simple that it can take longer for someone to count out several bills then wait for the cashier to give them their change. Kids behind tills are not used to counting out change like they were a decade ago.

[weirdie]

Originally Posted by hotdoglegz

do the Tube Steak carts or the Puerto Vallarta Taco cart take debit?

Puerto Vallarta Amigos used to be cash only, but not any more. I'm not sure about the Tubesteak carts.

[manuel]

Originally Posted by Baro

I know some businesses like cash as it leaves no paper-trail, so they can fudge their taxes.

If I wasn't so lazy at 11:00 p.m., I'd find the link to the story on Jimmy's barber and the taxman.

After that, I only went elsewhere. Finally have settled on the VicWest one. After a few times forgetting cash (and hiding magazines that show 'escorts' from my daughter) at least I remember to come with a $20. Virtually the only time I carry money now.

[Sparky]

^ It was only 10:52 now it's 11:00

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimesc...6-51e79726b89f

[cabin]

*credit cards
**everything on the menu


We hosted a sign on the front door for quite some time that read;

"Abandon all Credit, ye who enter here"

While to some this may conjure images of a radical enterprise wholly dedicated to eradicating the modern financial system, we were actually just trying to take the edge off.

You know, that inevitable moment when a guest that has just had the perfect experience steps to the till?

They casually slip their credit card across the counter, and just as they're deciding how much to tip their server (and cook and cook and prep and pit and busser and host and chef) they are asked to leave their party waiting in an awkward, possibly crowded space, to run the crackhead gauntlet, duck around the corner and then pay an exorbitant bank fee just in order to pay us!!!

I never liked that sign.
I never liked what it stood for the Cabin financially, for how it killed our staff's tips or for ruining our guest's first and/or last view as they walked through the door.

The reason we didn't accept Credit Cards was quite simple. I didn't have the credit. I knew the damage we were inflicting, especially to our tourist and business lunch trade, but I had no alternative. So our staff did what they have done so many times so well.

They worked around it.

Believe me, not accepting CC's was actually a small stumbling block compared to other services you can't access without credit. Hell, the only reason I was able to get debit was by joining the CFIB and slipping in the side door.

So as you can imagine, I was quite proud on July 1st when not only did we celebrate Canada Day, we also incorporated as a business AND we unveiled our fancy-pants new wireless machine that takes not only debit, but also Credit Cards!!*

(*Visa and Mastercard.)

Anyways, "thank yous" to our banker Paul and the rest of the crew at TD, and of course, a great thanks to all of our staff for putting up for so long with a system designed to screw them!!...

Remember when we couldn't ring a debit through if someone was on the phone?

phew...

[Holden West]

I know a local business owner who years ago used to give a modest discount for customers paying cash. Today, he says the bank charges him higher fees for processing cash from the day's sales. Nowadays, no matter what means of payment customers use the banks will find a way to exploit as much as they can from small business owners while giving back as little as possible. Good to hear Cabin 12's experience with TD was positive.

[martini]

Urge is cash only, but have an ATM on site.

[VicHockeyFan]

New Age Thrift - 1719 Quadra is cash only.

They seem to be busy all the time.

They faithfully post everything they have up on usedvictoria, sure that works well for them, and you can't beat the price for advertising.

[Baro]

interac machines probably imbue toxins into the energy waves of the store which would harm most of their staff and customers.

[sebberry]

Well the wireless ones might

[Nparker]

Originally Posted by Baro

interac machines probably imbue toxins into the energy waves of the store which would harm most of their staff and customers.

I can't speak for their customers, but their staff are pretty much perpetually stoned. I doubt they are aware of any toxins, real or imagined.

That being said, I would likely purchase there if they took interact. I almost never carry cash anymore.

[gumgum]

The Soup Peddler in CSv is cash only. I went in there, ordered something, handed my debit card and she tells me it's cash only. I told her I didn't have cash. She told me about the cahs machine in the pub. I told her i was in a rush and couldn't get money because my family was waiting for me outside. So i had to say goodbye.
Good job saving that 2-3% fee.

[Bob Fugger]

Originally Posted by gumgum

The Soup Peddler in CSv is cash only. I went in there, ordered something, handed my debit card and she tells me it's cash only. I told her I didn't have cash. She told me about the cahs machine in the pub. I told her i was in a rush and couldn't get money because my family was waiting for me outside. So i had to say goodbye.
Good job saving that 2-3% fee.

I had much the same experience at Soup Peddler, gumgum. I refuse to use a white label cashpoint because the fees are exorbitant. I should know, we have an out-facing one @ The Fernwood Inn and we make an absolute mint on it, despite the fact that we accept all forms of payment inside.

I refuse to go to Darcy's because they have a white label one but only accept cash inside. Not only do they avoid paying the fees for the machines, but they stick it to you on the withdrawal. No thanks.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by gumgum

Good job saving that 2-3% fee.

When I had my debit terminal the debit transaction fee was a flat 10c

Credit cards were in the 2-3% range.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Bob Fugger

I had much the same experience at Soup Peddler, gumgum. I refuse to use a white label cashpoint because the fees are exorbitant. I should know, we have an out-facing one @ The Fernwood Inn and we make an absolute mint on it, despite the fact that we accept all forms of payment inside.

I refuse to go to Darcy's because they have a white label one but only accept cash inside. Not only do they avoid paying the fees for the machines, but they stick it to you on the withdrawal. No thanks.

Indeed. A bar I work with accepts all forms of payment, and still makes a fortune on the ATM. I know that on a crazy weekend it can dispense $12k over the two nights, no problem. I hate to think how many transactions that is.

That's a bit lame of Darcy's.

[snaptee]

Originally Posted by Bob Fugger

I refuse to go to Darcy's because they have a white label one but only accept cash inside. Not only do they avoid paying the fees for the machines, but they stick it to you on the withdrawal. No thanks.

I sometimes go there for lunch during the week. They have always accepted my credit card.

The Caprice Theatre in Langford is cash only.

[Bob Fugger]

Originally Posted by snaptee

I sometimes go there for lunch during the week. They have always accepted my credit card.

The Caprice Theatre in Langford is cash only.

My mistake. I know that they certainly do not accept debit cards. Which to me, doesn't make any sense. They're paying points on the transaction, but would only pay a nominal flat fee on the debit charge.

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by Bob Fugger

My mistake. I know that they certainly do not accept debit cards. Which to me, doesn't make any sense. They're paying points on the transaction, but would only pay a nominal flat fee on the debit charge.

I sort of understand why some bars do this. And you have to understand a bit, that Darcy's may be relaxed in the day, it gets pretty crazy at night.

So when people buy a drink at the bar, one at a time, and use debit, it's a big delay for the bartender that's trying to crank out drinks. I see this at a bar I work with, where every once in a while US students show up, and they basically use Visa Debit cards, that act like credit cards, but they use them like debits, pulling them out for each drink.

People can leave their credit card at the bar, and run a tab, but it's harder to do that with a debit, as if the person runs a tab and leaves, the bar can't process the transaction, and probably doesn't even have a name on the card.

The bar I work with probably processes 5 or 6 transactions a week where the credit-card-leaver forgets to pay their tab. No big deal, it gets processed in their absence, and they usually show up next day to sign and pick-up card. Some never show up, but the card still gets processed.

But indeed Darcy's could probably have a day-side debit plan, that changes when they go into nightclub mode. But then again, those fees from the bank machine are pretty nice for them.

[Mike K.]

Like sebbery said, debit charges can be almost meaningless. It's the credit cards that ding retailers a solid percentage per transaction (most expensive is Amex) and some charge a set fee on top of the percentage.