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0 pointsamethyst3y ago0 comments

The convenience of credit cards — and customers' willingness to spend more when they are accepted — is worth more to retailers and customers than the processing fees.

I for one never carry cash, and I will happily pay any extra transaction fees from local businesses for the opportunity to reduce the size of my wallet, the cost/risk of casual theft, and the need to queue at an ATM for cash as part of my daily life.

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massysett3y ago

Debit offers most of these benefits though, at much lower expense.

I use credit because with the rebates it’s rational for me. If retailers offered a sufficient cash discount to wipe out the 1% rebate, I would move most of my volume to debit or even to direct debit.

An example is my cell phone bill. Verizon offers such a huge discount for direct debit that I do it. Otherwise I would certainly use credit.

amethystOP3y ago

Except with debit the risk is now back on me to make sure my PIN doesn't get stolen/skimmed/whatever. Transactions are less convenient than a single tap, and (at least in the US) requires paying attention to see if places even support debit.

Ironically, many smaller shops don't support it, even though it would theoretically be cheaper per-transaction, because the up-front costs and hurders are higher than a Square account.

brewdad3y ago

My kid's university housing bill accepts credit card payments with no added fees, so I get my 2% back on that. The tuition bill can be paid by credit card but they tack on a 4% fee, so tuition gets paid by check.

Rinse, repeat with most vendors.

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