Comments on: why do cashiers act like using a debit card for a small purchase is strange? http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:41:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Seabiscuit http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1534 Seabiscuit Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:24:21 +0000 http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm#comment-1534 Whenever I see some chump write a check or use a debit card for just a few dollars, I think that guy is a loser that does'nt even walk around with a couple bucks in his pocket. Sorry chief, if this person is you then I'm that guy standing behind in line laughing at your cheap as s. Hurry up. Whenever I see some chump write a check or use a debit card for just a few dollars, I think that guy is a loser that does’nt even walk around with a couple bucks in his pocket. Sorry chief, if this person is you then I’m that guy standing behind in line laughing at your cheap as s. Hurry up.

]]> By: WitchyWoman http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1533 WitchyWoman Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:24:21 +0000 http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm#comment-1533 Its probably because it takes longer to process a debit card transaction than it does cash. I see your point about not carrying cash but thats a bit extreme, using a card for a bottle of pop. Why not keep a limit of about £20 cash on you, than at least you won;t get hassle in the shops. Its probably because it takes longer to process a debit card transaction than it does cash.
I see your point about not carrying cash but thats a bit extreme, using a card for a bottle of pop. Why not keep a limit of about £20 cash on you, than at least you won;t get hassle in the shops.

]]> By: Kevin http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm/comment-page-1#comment-1532 Kevin Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:24:21 +0000 http://smallbusinessmerchantaccounts.org/why-do-cashiers-act-like-using-a-debit-card-for-a-small-purchase-is-strange.htm#comment-1532 The biggest reason is that a debit cards costs more to process, for the merchant. Most merchant accounts pay a flat fee of about $0.35 per transaction. So for a $1.29 purchase, they lose most of their profit. Running it as a credit card, they only pay a percentage (depending on the merchant, anywhere from 1.2% to 2.9 or higher). On average, running it as a credit card below $14 is cheaper, and as a debit card over $14 is cheaper. As to a surcharge, it is against the credit card company's policy for a merchant to charge a surcharge. This came about in the 1970's when companies charged 3-4% surcharge per transaction if a customer used a credit card. It is actually quicker to run a card, than it is to tender cash and return change. Especially now with minor purchases, as they do not require a signature. Personally, I simply see it as a cost of doing business. They can always ask if they can run it as a credit card, and save their profit. I also never carry cash, because all my banking is electronic (so I never set foot in the bank). The biggest reason is that a debit cards costs more to process, for the merchant. Most merchant accounts pay a flat fee of about $0.35 per transaction. So for a $1.29 purchase, they lose most of their profit.

Running it as a credit card, they only pay a percentage (depending on the merchant, anywhere from 1.2% to 2.9 or higher). On average, running it as a credit card below $14 is cheaper, and as a debit card over $14 is cheaper.

As to a surcharge, it is against the credit card company’s policy for a merchant to charge a surcharge. This came about in the 1970’s when companies charged 3-4% surcharge per transaction if a customer used a credit card.

It is actually quicker to run a card, than it is to tender cash and return change. Especially now with minor purchases, as they do not require a signature.

Personally, I simply see it as a cost of doing business. They can always ask if they can run it as a credit card, and save their profit. I also never carry cash, because all my banking is electronic (so I never set foot in the bank).

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