[virtue51]

Why are you paying ATM fees? Total waste of money.

If the vendor charges extra for credit cards, I pay cash. No reason to pay extra for a service or product.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I am really confused about how to pay today using either cash or credit.

Some retailers are taking credit only.
Some are taking cash only.
If you're lucky, some take both.

Then pay fees to withdraw YOUR money from a ATM machine to use cash.
Or use a credit card and get charged 3%-4%.

....then there's those pesky tips that I'll leave for another day

Your Thoughts

Theres nothing new here. ATMs always charged unless you use your network. Most businesses charge a fee for credit cards. Again nothing new. What’s the confusion about??? If you don’t want the fees, pay cash. Simple problem….solved.

[paulajr]

Here in The Villages, there's a bakery at Sawgrass that doesn't take cash. They put up a sign on the counter to make sure everyone knows this BEFORE they ask to buy a slice of cake.[/QUOTE]

And we walked up to buy something the other day…saw the sign, and explained that if our cash was no good..we didn’t need their products. Told them we would go elsewhere where our cash was good.

[ellenwelsh]

I was charged 3% on my copay at a doctor office this week.

[MikeVillages]

Originally Posted by La lamy

I prefer paying with a card unless it's at a restaurant. It's so weird how they just take off out back with your card before returning. ...

Some restaurants do that but many have a small machine they put on the table. The machine has an option to select a present for a tip, the default is sometimes high.

A restaurant that usually has decent service, but one time it was AWFUL. The waitress held the machine, took my card, & asked if it was ok to select the “recommended” tip. I politely replied no, I do it myself.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by ellenwelsh

I was charged 3% on my copay at a doctor office this week.

Wow. Looks like it's time to carry a check or two and write them a check.

[OhioBuckeye]

Some also think, just go in & take what you want. When I was growing up if they refused to except pay by cash or credit they were refusing payment, so you got it free. But if I offer them cash they had to except it or it was their problem, so far I haven’t had a problem paying by cash or credit!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by M2inOR

Yes indeed. The more you have saved, the better the opportunities and benefits you may qualify for. Check with your financial advisor.

Be sure to save for retirement!

Also, check Bankrate.com for other credit card offers that offer cash back and/or no interest charges on balances for a limited time.

Also, the CC companies like Chase, American Express, and others have cash back and discount offers on many businesses you might be using. Be sure to check the benefits and offers for your cards.

I have substantial assets in Fidelity mutual funds, but I don't pay any AUM (assets under management) fees. Don't you need to be paying AUM fees to qualify for the 3 percent cash back credit card? If so, that would be a non-starter for me.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by M2inOR

Here in The Villages, I've had one of my credit cards compromised at one of the restaurants or businesses here.

That Chase card has all information on one side of the credit card:

Credit card number
3-digit CVC code
Expiration date

It's possible for someone to take a picture of your card and sell that pic on the dark web for others to use.

To prevent that, I use tape to black out some of that info on the back of my card. Still taps or slides without issue.

Got the idea from Apple credit card which has no numbers on card at all.

One other thing I've started doing is using Google Wallet to tap and pay on those terminals that permit it. Apple has the same ability with Apple pay using phone or watch.

I agree, bringing the CC terminal to your table to pay your restaurant or bar tab is the way to go so your CC never leaves your possession. I've been sure to thank merchants who have that capability.

Be careful out there!

PS when traveling, be sure to have several credit cards with you, just in case one of your cards is compromised.

PPS set up alerts to get a notification Everytime your card is used.

How many times have you been ‘compromised’...using cash?

CC/Debit card security is a daily struggle. Skimmers are placed at gas stations, grocery and retail checkout pads constantly across the nation. Consumers regularly and voluntarily place food and goods/services orders over the phone .....routinely giving up all the pertinent info needed to open themselves up to fraud. So if 2-3% back is the nominal price most will levy against their personal privacy and protection.....enjoy the journey. As I said earlier and as one that practices it daily, cash....wherever and whenever possible!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

How many times have you been ‘compromised’...using cash?

CC/Debit card security is a daily struggle. Skimmers are placed at gas stations, grocery and retail checkout pads constantly across the nation. Consumers regularly and voluntarily place food and goods/services orders over the phone .....routinely giving up all the pertinent info needed to open themselves up to fraud. So if 2-3% back is the nominal price most will levy against their personal privacy and protection.....enjoy the journey. As I said earlier and as one that practices it daily, cash....wherever and whenever possible!

Many posters on this website have been compromised by paying cash or check to a contractor, who disappeared or refused to correct a defective installation. But any money lost by fraud when using a credit card can be recovered by disputing the charge with your bank. I will gladly pay a 3 percent charge to a contractor or other merchant when making a large purchase. If you pay in cash, they can disappear, and your money is lost. But, if you use a credit card, you can often recover the money. It really depends on what type of purchase you are making.

[ron32162]

I have never been anywhere that I cant pay cash or credit.

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I am really confused about how to pay today using either cash or credit.

Some retailers are taking credit only.
Some are taking cash only.
If you're lucky, some take both.

Then pay fees to withdraw YOUR money from a ATM machine to use cash.
Or use a credit card and get charged 3%-4%.

....then there's those pesky tips that I'll leave for another day

Your Thoughts

We use CC for just about everything and avoid those restaurants that charge a fee to use a CC. As for gas also try to avoid those that charge extra but paying with cash is a pain and not worth the hassle in my opinion.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Many posters on this website have been compromised by paying cash or check to a contractor, who disappeared or refused to correct a defective installation. But any money lost by fraud when using a credit card can be recovered by disputing the charge with your bank. I will gladly pay a 3 percent charge to a contractor or other merchant when making a large purchase. If you pay in cash, they can disappear, and your money is lost. But, if you use a credit card, you can often recover the money. It really depends on what type of purchase you are making.

Another one taking the issue to a different context. You’re on here enough to know we’re talking about restaurants, gas stations, local activity. Not for work on your home or contractor services. Different beast. But using your narrative, when paying cash at any restaurant....where was your personal privacy and protection compromised. Unless you’re a lil ole lady with a big wide open pocket book purse with cash hanging out the opening!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

Another one taking the issue to a different context. You’re on here enough to know we’re talking about restaurants, gas stations, local activity. Not for work on your home or contractor services. Different beast. But using your narrative, when paying cash at any restaurant....where was your personal privacy and protection compromised. Unless you’re a lil ole lady with a big wide open pocket book purse with cash hanging out the opening!

I didn't realize the thread was limited to restaurants and gas stations. That's not what the OP said.

[Rvflier]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

"This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private" (small print on the dollar bill)

I wonder what the reaction would be if someone incurred a debt for which the merchant only accepted credit payment (a car repair, say) and when it came time to pay up offered the amount owned in "legal tender" (i.e. cash) stating that he doesn't believe in, and has no credit cards of any kind.

Sometime recently that rule went away, mostly during Covid. There was a time when if you offered cash and it was refused, the transaction was complete - learned this the hard way working at gas stations that took no bills larger than $20. However, now the federal law does not stand behind that statement and says it “may” be used. Thus, private businesses (the seller) can choose what form of payment they want. There were a couple challenges during Covid and essentially this was the result.