I'm Just Sayin'

A friend of a Facebook friend, obviously a small business owner, recently lamented the rampant use of debit cards by customers. Don’t they realize, she wondered, that merchants have to pay a processing fee on debit card purchases, usually a percentage of sales? Don’t consumers realize the stated price is usually a cash price, she asked, and not a debit or credit card price?

Well, yes and no, Ms. Biz Owner. Yes, I did know that retail outlets pay for the privilege of providing this huge convenience to buyers. In America, we call that overhead. It’s the cost of doing business, along with rent, utilities, advertising and inventory. And no, I was not aware that advertised prices are meant for cash only purchases. I thought a price was a price was a price.

Don’t get me wrong, I am sensitive to the struggles of small businesses in this economy. But I am struggling too. And that means I am spending less (in theory anyway). So the business that provides the highest quality goods or services, at the best price, and meets my needs for convenience, is going to get my meager dollars. Nine times out of ten, I buy local. I go out of my way to do so. I shop the local farmer’s market, and I get up early to do so! I haunt consignment stores for household goods, frequent a local second-hand bookseller, and eat in locally-owned restaurants. And I use my debit card almost exclusively.

I am so devoted to the use of my debit card, that I recently drove off from a gas pump (without fueling) when the card reader was out of service. (I neglected to replace the gas cap or close the fuel tank access door, which prompted lots of honking and waving from fellow motorists, but I kind of got off on the attention.) I am just not interested in walking into the service station, standing in line, resisting the Peppermint Patty or Bit O Honey that is screaming my name, to pay for my gas. Call me lazy. Call me stubborn. But if you want to call me your customer, provide me the opportunity to pay at the pump.

I rarely carry cash. Several years ago, an acquaintance was mugged in the parking lot of the grocery store in broad daylight, had her purse wrenched from her arm and was knocked to the ground, breaking her wrist. Police told her someone in the store probably watched her pay cash and noticed that she had some leftover. Another friend once had her cash-filled wallet stolen from her desk drawer. She was able to prevent charges against her credit and debit cards, but the cash was long gone. So, sorry, Ms. Biz Owner, when I weigh your overhead with my personal safety and wellbeing, I’m choosing me. If you support me by providing the convenience, I’ll support you by buying your stuff. I’m just sayin’ …