INDUSTRY STANDARD: Gratuitous Gratuity

I have cash on me during some months and not during other months. And by some months I mean when there is racing at Churchill.

I am the exact same, track, paying for parking at Freedom Hall during games, knowing that I am going downtown to park in a garage or meter.Just do not carry cash on me at all.
Matter of fact most concessions at Papa Johns and Freedom Hall take a swipe now

I usually get $20 out of the ATM on payday for the reasons Roger listed. I know how much the .69 debit is costing the seller. More times than not that whole twenty is doled out as tips.

I usually get $20 out of the ATM on payday for the reasons Roger listed. I know how much the .69 debit is costing the seller. More times than not that whole twenty is doled out as tips.

Hold the phone... To my understanding, there is a percentage on the purchase paid for merchant card processing, unlike gift card programs that sometimes charge a quarter for something as simple as a balance query. So if 2 percent is charged for a 69 cent purchase, that's only a little less than a penny and a half. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I used to look at these statements and that was my calculation. Was I missing something???

This has been my experience. Merchant Card processing differs from company to company as well as other fees. These fees MIGHT include per flat transaction fee or percentage; equipment or software ; and other things associated in using Credit Cards. Some companies will not accept certain cards because the transaction fees for that particular card cost more than the next one. Say Discover vs Visa. People here that have a more intimate knowledge of their credit card processing/finances would be able to better answer this question. However, this is one aspect I know for certain; some stores won't accept cards because cost exceeds use.

My knowledge of the topic may have it's flaws, but my understanding is there is a percentage fee involved in all card purchases paid by the merchant (2, 3, or higher percentages, for example). I've always been under the impression that Amex and Discover are denied because they fall under the 3+ because they're adding incentives to the mans, and merchants have a good mind that everyone has Visa or MC to sub, but they're converting because of corporate incentives for Disc and Amex for rewards on usage and companies won't cover the entertainment bill otherwise. It all makes sense, one person pays another to pay another, blah blah blah. As far as personal card usage, never forget that a merchant pays for the convenience, but I'd rather the convenience be part of the package. As a business, I'd rather deal directly with the merchant when possible.

Also, Amex takes up to 48 hrs longer to get the restaurants funds into their account. That makes a whopping difference these days.

*cries*

bbbb-b-but....what about my COLUMN?

*cries*

bbbb-b-but....what about my COLUMN?

I really wish people would stay on topic and not openly engage in thread drift such as this.

Pretty much all processors impose a "swipe fee." Debit cards have the lowest swipe fee/transaction fee. Credit card charge a percentage + the swipe fee. Corporate cards have a % + the swipe fee + another fee (or just a higher swipe fee) because employees who leave their employer may not pay the card and the employer may not either. Risky for the card processor/issuer. And finally "card not present" adds big fees, due to the risk of fraud. Also all companies have a minimum fee that merchants have to hit each month in accumulated fees, or the minimum applies. That's why I hate Discover. If I only have one Discover transaction a month (which is possible in my little biz) that one transaction with ALL the associated fees can cost me $20. On an $85 bill. Yeah.