Can we talk about TIPFLATION for a minute?

[mjkacmom]

I never tip on a credit card. We always have cash to tip the server. My standard is 20% if the service was good. If the restaurant employees tip share, the split of the cash tip is on them to be honest with the runners, bus people and kitchen staff.
An area where I always tip that I personally haven't seen others do (I'm sure it happens but I rarely see cash on the table) is at a buffet. The people who regularly keep the tables clear really hustle and deserve something extra.

I can’t imagine not tipping at a buffet, the workers come to the table even more than a sit down meal.

 

[disneyseniors]

Sheesh, that’s terrible, especially if it’s not known ahead. There’s one small take out/ casual place here that doesn’t accept credit cards at all. But they’ve been in business for over 25 years & never accepted them so you know you need cash there. A few years ago, they actually added an ATM.

We had a business for 20 years and we would not accept CC's. They wanted to charge us 3% and the customer 3% too. So they get a 6% bonus with every use. Our customers all knew that we only accepted checks or cash and never had a problem.

 

[mjkacmom]

We had a business for 20 years and we would not accept CC's. They wanted to charge us 3% and the customer 3% too. So they get a 6% bonus with every use. Our customers all knew that we only accepted checks or cash and never had a problem.

We have a local deli that has been open for several decades, they never took credit cards. However, it’s one of those old school shops that will happily give you food and let you come back at a later time and pay.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I need to check if my banks have that now. We have checking accounts at 2 different banks and when I need to transfer money, I write a check and then mobile deposit it at the other bank. Being able to do it electronically would be awesome.

Woah! Really?

We just e-transfer it to ourselves on the app. That's crazy that you need to write a cheque.

 

[Skippy918]

I need to check if my banks have that now. We have checking accounts at 2 different banks and when I need to transfer money, I write a check and then mobile deposit it at the other bank. Being able to do it electronically would be awesome.

In online banking, you should be able to add an account you own to be able to transfer money to and from.

 

[kyton]

In Australia we can transfer between banks just by using the bank code (BSB) and account number. This usually happens overnight however the financial institutions have now put in a system called OSKO which is normally instant and is free.

I transfer a fairly huge amount each month from Australia to the US bank account of my son’s porting team. If I go into the actual bank to do it it costs me $30AUD, if I do it via internet banking it’s free. I was a bank manager prior to kids so I’m perfectly happy to do it myself.

Back to tipping, it’s one thing that we are thankful to leave behind when we return home from the US. That and the fact that your prices are never the “final” price due to sales tax not being added until you get to the till. Australia has a blanket sales tax (GST) on most items but the difference is here every price shown in a shop is the price, tax is already included.

 

[DisneyHardin]

In online banking, you should be able to add an account you own to be able to transfer money to and from.

I saw something on the Fifth Third site before about transferring money to other accounts, but then it wouldn’t take my US Bank info. That’s been years ago, so I need to investigate it again. I don’t transfer money between the accounts too often, but occasionally I need to.

 

[Lumpy1106]

We get very leery about writing checks and things like Zelle living here in CA. There is a scam around every corner. We went out to visit my brother in MN and as we were in the drive-thru at a fast food place we joked about writing them a check - so he did it. They took it, didn't even ask for ID. Crazy.

 

[DLgal]

We get very leery about writing checks and things like Zelle living here in CA. There is a scam around every corner. We went out to visit my brother in MN and as we were in the drive-thru at a fast food place we joked about writing them a check - so he did it. They took it, didn't even ask for ID. Crazy.

I can't believe checks still get written and just handed out like that either. You can do so much with a routing number and account number (not to mention a full name and address). It is SO easy to set up an online transfer with that information.

 

[Karin1984]

I was curious how these things go on my own country (NL). Cheques were phased out in 2001, and officially no currency anymore since 2021. With the introduction of the Euro and technology improving there was no need anymore for cheques. Most Dutch people used them when travelling.

Bank transfers between different banks has always been possible. In the past it could take a few days. Nowadays it's instant.

 

[shh]

I can't believe checks still get written and just handed out like that either. You can do so much with a routing number and account number (not to mention a full name and address). It is SO easy to set up an online transfer with that information.

I don't want to write checks for security reasons, but occasionally, I have to. How do you guys pay a local service person like a handyman or lawn guy who either doesn't take cc or charges service fees? I haven't used any of the digital payment services before like zelle or others, so not too familiar with those. Is there one that's safer than a check?

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't want to write checks for security reasons, but occasionally, I have to. How do you guys pay a local service person like a handyman or lawn guy who either doesn't take cc or charges service fees? I haven't used any of the digital payment services before like zelle or others, so not too familiar with those. Is there one that's safer than a check?

Contractors around here are old school, check or cash only.

 

[leahgoogle]

I don't want to write checks for security reasons, but occasionally, I have to. How do you guys pay a local service person like a handyman or lawn guy who either doesn't take cc or charges service fees? I haven't used any of the digital payment services before like zelle or others, so not too familiar with those. Is there one that's safer than a check?

If it's a small amount, I will make sure I have cash available. For larger bills (like our landscaping last year), I do still write a check.

 

[DLgal]

I don't want to write checks for security reasons, but occasionally, I have to. How do you guys pay a local service person like a handyman or lawn guy who either doesn't take cc or charges service fees? I haven't used any of the digital payment services before like zelle or others, so not too familiar with those. Is there one that's safer than a check?

I pay the service fee. It's a negligible amount for security of using a credit card.

Or I use Zelle or Venmo. I use these all the time. No issues. My elderly dad even uses it to send us money for birthdays and such.

 

[mjkacmom]

I pay the service fee. It's a negligible amount for security of using a credit card.

Or I use Zelle or Venmo. I use these all the time. No issues. My elderly dad even uses it to send us money for birthdays and such.

Most contractors here don’t take credit cards or electronic payments.

 

[DLgal]

Most contractors here don’t take credit cards or electronic payments.

That's gonna eventually hurt their business. I would just choose someone who would take the payment types I am comfortable with. There is no paper trail with cash and checks are something I don't like to use.

 

[tvguy]

I can’t imagine not tipping at a buffet, the workers come to the table even more than a sit down meal.

A club I belong to meets at a restaurant that puts on a buffet for a fixed price of $30 including tip. The owners wife runs the buffet. I don't normally tip owners.

 

[mjkacmom]

That's gonna eventually hurt their business. I would just choose someone who would take the payment types I am comfortable with. There is no paper trail with cash and checks are something I don't like to use.

Lol I don’t think so, at least yet. It is SO hard to find decent contractors, I spent around $35,000 for some mason work, check only, literally the only contractor who returned my phone call (was referred by a friend, lots of scammers out there so a personal reference is a must). Was on a one year wait list to get my house painted. I’ve had 2 bathrooms done, basement finished, new roof, plumbing, electric, cash or check only. Kitchen remodel and deck are next, if I can find contractors. Landscapers don’t take credit cards.

 

[Kennywood]

A club I belong to meets at a restaurant that puts on a buffet for a fixed price of $30 including tip. The owners wife runs the buffet. I don't normally tip owners.

Thanks for trying to get this thread back on track.

 

[Robber Baron]

We had a business for 20 years and we would not accept CC's. They wanted to charge us 3% and the customer 3% too. So they get a 6% bonus with every use. Our customers all knew that we only accepted checks or cash and never had a problem.

I've never seen a credit card anywhere that charges the customer 3% to use it.