I use cash at the bar so I don't have to wait in line to cash out my tab. I tip in cash so that people I'm tipping don't have to get taxed. I use cash so that I can just slap it down and walk away instead of waiting for my transaction to go through. I give homeless people cash (fuck the people who say that you should only give them food and that they will only use the money for drugs and booze. I give homeless people money so that they might have some chance of a small pleasure or succor in their otherwise horrible days, be it money for a hotel, a shower, drugs or booze these are all things that I enjoy why shouldn't they). I use cash because I know that paying for my coffee with my card scrapes 5% of the merchant. I want to see the business I frequent stay around and prosper, it gives me more pleasure knowing that the bloodsucking credit companies don't get to buy another boat or mansion but the guy who owns the food cart gets to buy their kids something nice than the points off my coffee purchase ever will. I use cash because I don't really want to expand their dossier of my consumption habits anymore than I have to.
Your points are no less valid given what I'm about to write, I only write it because it's nice to have an accurate picture. The guy at the food truck is likely using Square to process his transactions, like 90% of them do. If so, it's a flat 2.75%. It's still a cost, and they are certainly better for having your cash but honestly, unless a business owner is an idiot, they're not paying 5%. In fact, I know a lot about this stuff and since I know you are opening a business, I'd be glad to consult with you via PM. There are right and wrong things to do. Businesses processing at 5% tend to be ones that make the mistake of getting in to a POS system that mandates a particular payment processing company. Guess what? Now you are fucked because they'll steadily jack up your rates and unless you are willing to divest yourself from the $20k POS system you put in, you're not going anywhere. It sucks. The credit card processing industry is a very nefarious one with a lot of crooks and criminals walking around in suits and ties, signing people up for 3-5 year contracts and terminal leases at $300 a month for something that can buy for $50. I purchase most things with my card and here is how I handle the scenarios you raise: 1. I'm an exorbitant tipper, much to my wife's chagrin. Honestly I tip 25-35% on average. 2. There are many situations when paying with a CC is actually faster than cash. Grocery stores come to mind etc. It's amazing how bad people are at making change these days, I guess we can blame CC for that. 3. Homeless -I've taken to carrying $5 Gift cards that I hand out to the homeless in our area. There's one spot near a Starbucks where they are often panhandling. They seem glad for it when I give it to them and I know they're not buying drugs with it. But your point isn't lost on me. Cash rules if you are a business and I think it's cool of you to accommodate that.
Yeah, or they could get a sandwich. Their call, but it's certainly more than they had prior to me giving it to them and in no way harms them. I try to give it with a kind word and a smile which seems to be of more value than the card/money.
I don't know how much the kind word is valued, I don't appreciate the vocal tip at work (sans monetary especially, It's good to know I'm doing my job alright I suppose). Seeing an ancient skeletal begger weep at a $20 is pretty heavy. So little meaning so much is not something I find uplifting, makes me feel sick about the world.
Im of the mindset that you can never go wrong with kindness. I've dolled out a few of those $20 gifts to homeless myself. It's a cool experience for both involved for sure. I've NEVER only given a verbal tip.
I hate giving my money to the homeless, nothing cool about it. I want to spend that money on myself and my family. I have a tiny sliver of understanding about how shitty their lives are and it compels me to give up a small portion of my hard earned bread to them, out of...compassion I guess, maybe sorrow. I should give every cent away if I were a decent human being but you know what, Fuck em, they probably made their bed and they will get what I give them, my shitty crumbs I guess. I've seen people who's hearts I admire more than any others give their last 5 bucks to shitty gutter punks who were traveling. I wish I were that kind if person but I'm just not. I hate that homeless people get my money but I hate the idea of anyone needing it that bad. Whole thing, my loss their desperation, makes me sick.