Why We're Doomed, aka Paying for a Pizza

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,252
30,250
Carmel Valley, CA
That doesn't make sense. More business here are cash only, because credit card Point of Sales (POS) will charge sometimes up to 15% off of your end, sometimes varying rates based on what kind of card it is. You definitely lose money by only taking cards.
Nope. Thought about it, and the super expensive bakery benefits from faster turnover when there's no cash to dick around with. And I doubt CC fees for them would be in excess of 4%.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sablebrush52
Nope. Thought about it, and the super expensive bakery benefits from faster turnover when there's no cash to dick around with. And I doubt CC fees for them would be in excess of 4%.
Probably a manager that wants to save himself from having to make a bank drop, but at some point an owner or CEO is going to realize that they can make a 4% increase in sales by just accepting cash again. I take out $100 cash each week, just to help me keep up with walking around money.

The Publix grocers here tried having only self check out with cards only, and people were leaving them fast, because many of us just prefer to use cash. It's much harder keeping up with your money when you're just swiping a card all day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Egg Shen

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,252
30,250
Carmel Valley, CA
Additional info: This damn bakery has no bread. None, just incredibly good looking pastries and indulgences, $$$. It's located on Ocean Ave in Carmel the most noted street in that expensive village. There were 4-5 people in line ahead of me, but it moved nicely. They keep the line moving pretty damn well. I think they are minting a pile of CC charges per hour.
 

huntertrw

Lifer
Jul 23, 2014
5,829
7,438
The Lower Forty of Hill Country
Tonight I ordered a pizza from a nearby pizzeria. The actual ordering went smoothly enough. The problem was paying for it.

When asked for the expiration date on my card I said, "November 2026".

After a pause, the guy taking my order said, "Can you repeat that?"

"November 2026."

Another long pause.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that again?"

"November 2026"

An even longer pause

"Could you give me the numbers, please?"


By the way, how was the pizza? :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: sablebrush52

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,252
30,250
Carmel Valley, CA
Probably a manager that wants to save himself from having to make a bank drop, but at some point an owner or CEO is going to realize that they can make a 4% increase in sales by just accepting cash again. I take out $100 cash each week, just to help me keep up with walking around money.
Not when you have turn over as rapid as an AK47!

Wouldn't you rather have 100 $20 tansactions with a 4% discount than 80 transactions with no discount?
 

bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,199
41,431
RTP, NC. USA
This reminds me of the time I was at KFC, and the cashier was using her fingers to count the changes. Funny thing is, she could have just used cash register. Something obvious was missing there.
 
Not when you have turn over as rapid as an AK47!

Wouldn't you rather have 100 $20 tansactions with a 4% discount than 80 transactions with no discount?
I have no idea why it would take longer to take cash than run a card, but it is stupid for me to argue about how a business that I have no idea who or what even they are operates, ha ha. I bow out.
But, I can still spend cash down here. I'm sorry to hear about how things are going where you guys are.
Also, my POS % costs are much higher than 4%, a lot more. Small businesses would be further screwed by a cashless society.
 

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,252
30,250
Carmel Valley, CA
I have no idea why it would take longer to take cash than run a card, but it is stupid for me to argue about how a business that I have no idea who or what even they are operates, ha ha. I bow out.
I am sure there are time and motion studies done! But this is an extremely high turnover affair at ridiculously high prices. Yes, a good cashier can almost keep up with a tap or swipe...
But, I can still spend cash down here. I'm sorry to hear about how things are going where you guys are.
Also, my POS % costs are much higher than 4%, a lot more. Small businesses would be further screwed by a cashless society.
It's not ubiquitous here thank God. In fact, the restaurant at my community openly shows a cash price and the higher price for card charges. (That used to be grounds for revoking the card privileges to the business!)
 

FLDRD

Lifer
Oct 13, 2021
2,226
9,034
Arkansas
It would be pointless to argue with you about your opinion. I would just say that I don't see it the same as you, but of course, I could be wrong, or you could be. No point in arguing or debating something like that.
Just everytime I hear that I wonder where they get that info. Everyone assumes everyone has access to a computer or smartphone, but that is not so. Most of the wealthiest people I know have neither. And, still most labor payments are still made in cash.
I just came back from a few days in Seattle, and there were MANY places that would not accept cash. You'll find it's a big difference regionally.
Here in AR, most of us still prefer cash.
But there are many regional differences that lead to that point...
 
I just came back from a few days in Seattle, and there were MANY places that would not accept cash. You'll find it's a big difference regionally.
Here in AR, most of us still prefer cash.
But there are many regional differences that lead to that point...
Just a thought, but as jpmcwjr said, businesses that have long lines for cheap (or lower priced) things need to speed up lines should keep it cash free. I've never stood in line for coffee or things like that, so I am no expert on those things. But, if I am buying my neighbor's extra sack of feed from him, or paying my one day help removing a stump, or buying a couch from a neighbor, then there will always be a need for cash. The whole world doesn't run like a Starbucks.
 

Hillcrest

Lifer
Dec 3, 2021
3,691
18,848
Connecticut, USA
The only thing they have to do is "make a mark" where the signature goes.
To do that properly, someone needs to put "Her ( X ) Mark" around the 'X' in some states. Its also permissible to guide the person's hand if they are handicapped in some states. A lawyer explained that to me once upon a time I don't remember.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: jackattack

Sig

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 18, 2023
514
2,414
Western NY
Last year my 16 year old nephew was at our house. In my garage I have a clock that I made that is just hands, no numbers. He asked how you read it. I said to just LOOK at it.
He ponders for a moment and says...."but there are no numbers".
I told him he should know the numbers.
He says, "that doesn't make sense".
 

Briar Lee

Lifer
Sep 4, 2021
4,960
14,330
Humansville Missouri
The Amish, Mennonites, and old order Scottish Christian Church (Campbellites) are extremely close theologically (i.e. we are more or less closed cults) yet the Amish resist technology and we Campbellites simply revel in it.

I patronize all the Amish stores I can for everything I can buy there. They won’t sell anything immoral or illegal, and almost always have the lowest prices.

But although they are off the grid, if you hand one a plastic debit card they’ll have a kid come up and use the cell phone reader they’ve arranged with their bank to accept. It’s not a phone or computer capable, but enables them accept any money the English offer them. The young Amish girls that run the roadside produce stands will always have one, as do their stores.

And during the pandemic they put their ivermectin behind the counter and wouldn’t sell it to the “English” unless they were convinced it was for horses.

And like us, they honor both tradition AND glorify youth, although their culture is patriarchal and ours maternally based. Their education ends at the eight grade and ours is as far as we can attain. Yet the cultures agree that youth is the promise of tomorrow, and youth can learn much from their elders.

Try to find a cynical, angry, bitter Amish community.

They do not exist, and never will.

If they’d let me wear suits and have air conditioning and smoke I might join up, you know?
 
Last edited:

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,252
30,250
Carmel Valley, CA
Just a thought, but as jpmcwjr said, businesses that have long lines for cheap (or lower priced) things need to speed up lines should keep it cash free. << Snipped bits out >>
No, I didn't say that at all. The place I talked about is expensive, and there were no long lines.... because the cashier kept it moving quite briskly. And I didn't say "should"- just that that was the way that business chose. I think they were smart, and also had no cash to be pilfered or stolen.