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.