Start to use checks again?

[ICF]

If you buy gas with a credit card, you pay 15 to 20 cents a gallon more with a credit card than at stations that are cash only.

True, though, idiots like me are also subsidizing your free airline tickets because merchants have to raise prices to cover the fees the credit card companies charge them.
Which gets to my note about small businesses that refuse to take credit cards and debit cards because of the fees.

I've never seen a gas station that is cash only or even one that gives a 20 cent discount for cash. Might be something where you live, but I've not noticed it around the Midwest....at most I might see a 5 cent discount, and that's not worth the time to pay cash and go wait inside to pay.

As to the other point....a cc with no annual fee that is paid off in full each month doesn't cost me anything. If a small business or other company has included cc transaction fees in their prices already, those are there no matter how i pay....so I might as well use a free cc and earn lots of stuff like hotel stays, Disney $ and the rest.

Also....if a cc is lost I'm likely out nothing. If I lose cash it's most likely gone forever.

 

[amcnj]

One change to make, if not doing so already, is to check your credit card accounts frequently online to look for any charges you don't recognize. Fortunately it seems charges are posting very quickly these days.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I've never seen a gas station that is cash only or even one that gives a 20 cent discount for cash. Might be something where you live, but I've not noticed it around the Midwest....at most I might see a 5 cent discount, and that's not worth the time to pay cash and go wait inside to pay.

As to the other point....a cc with no annual fee that is paid off in full each month doesn't cost me anything. If a small business or other company has included cc transaction fees in their prices already, those are there no matter how i pay....so I might as well use a free cc and earn lots of stuff like hotel stays, Disney $ and the rest.

Also....if a cc is lost I'm likely out nothing. If I lose cash it's most likely gone forever.

Most gas stations here don't have a discount for paying with cash either. I can think of one that used to have two different price but it was clearly labeled and only a few cents different. That station stopped the practice though.

 

[tina.tina]

My DH goes to the garage and leaves his checkbooks in the console after I have repeatedly asking him not to. Who knows if a worker might accidentally open your console and find that stuff. I would not use checks. Your account number is written right there along with your address and often phone number.

See my other reply, there is no free lunch. We all pay for it.

So, if everyone stopped using credit cards prices would go down? Maybe you could start a petition. Good luck with that.

 

[M5ward]

Cash! If I am going shopping, I go to my bank and cash a check there.

 

[amcnj]

Most gas stations here don't have a discount for paying with cash either. I can think of one that used to have two different price but it was clearly labeled and only a few cents different. That station stopped the practice though.

My area has a good number of stations that charge a higher price for credit gas purchases. Usually around 10 cents more a gallon. But there are many stations that still charge the same for cash or credit, and for some reason they also seem to have among the lowest overall gas prices.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

The places I shop treat a check like a debit card. They scan it in their system. All I have to do is sign.

So for me it's just more effecient to use either my cc or debit cards.

 

[tvguy]

So, if everyone stopped using credit cards prices would go down? Maybe you could start a petition. Good luck with that.

No petition needed. Merchants that don't take credit cards often charge less. I've voted with my money.

 

[tvguy]

Most gas stations here don't have a discount for paying with cash either. I can think of one that used to have two different price but it was clearly labeled and only a few cents different. That station stopped the practice though.

Where are you? I'm in California.
Pretty common. More common than full service gas stations.

 

[tvguy]

My area has a good number of stations that charge a higher price for credit gas purchases. Usually around 10 cents more a gallon. But there are many stations that still charge the same for cash or credit, and for some reason they also seem to have among the lowest overall gas prices.

I buy gas at ARCO. They stopped taking credit cards in 1982.

But, admittedly, this is their business plan. Get people in to buy gas at a discount, make up for it by selling them snacks or sodas.


http://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/03/business/arco-stressing-price-to-end-credit-card-use.html

 

[elgerber]

My area has a good number of stations that charge a higher price for credit gas purchases. Usually around 10 cents more a gallon. But there are many stations that still charge the same for cash or credit, and for some reason they also seem to have among the lowest overall gas prices.

I only know of one station in my area that does that, and it's truck stop, and diesel fuel only. I have never seen that at any of the gas stations, even when I travel.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Where are you? I'm in California.
Pretty common. More common than full service gas stations.

Massachusetts. I never said I didn't believe you. I was just agreeing with someone who said it's not done everywhere.

 

[ICF]

Hopefully that's not a current pic of that shell gas station......those are some crazy prices!

 

[MillauFr]

Hopefully that's not a current pic of that shell gas station......those are some crazy prices!

Even with current prices gas is a complete waste of money. I choose not to drive at all. I think I drove my truck 1,800 miles in the last year. I put 3,700 miles on my bicycle. Big savings so I can afford those Disney vacations.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Even with current prices gas is a complete waste of money. I choose not to drive at all. I think I drove my truck 1,800 miles in the last year. I put 3,700 miles on my bicycle. Big savings so I can afford those Disney vacations.

If you live where that's a valid choice, good for you! Some of us aren't that lucky.

 

[tajz90]

So with all the hassle of credit card thefts, I was just wondering if some people will go back to using checks? I think if I was paranoid about using my cards, debit/credit, I'd rather use checks than carry around cash. Thing is I so rarely use checks that the one time I did try to use one at a store years ago; I forgot my wallet (ugh), it was declined. Something about me not being in the system?? I have since tried to use a check at least once a year at some kind of retail establishment so that doesn't happen again. It's just nice to have some alternative forms of payments. And most places you just have to sign your name to the check and they fill it all out for you.

I hate getting in line behind someone using a check! Of course, it's usually an old person, but I still get frustrated. Product of the go go go society.

Even with current prices gas is a complete waste of money. I choose not to drive at all. I think I drove my truck 1,800 miles in the last year. I put 3,700 miles on my bicycle. Big savings so I can afford those Disney vacations.

If you live where that's a valid choice, good for you! Some of us aren't that lucky.

I'd love to save the money for gas and not drive, but sadly, we live in an area with NO public transportation. No way around it.

 

[rlu929s]

The banks have 30 days to put money back in if stolen via debit for what it's worth.

You still are out the money though.

 

[North of Mouse]

So with all the hassle of credit card thefts, I was just wondering if some people will go back to using checks? [/QUOTE

Nope!

Most places have gone to ACH conversion on checks which still puts your account info into their system. I'm stucking with my debit card.

Whether people are aware/or like it, we are 'all' in the 'system'.

Credit cards are WAY safer than debit cards and checks. If someone uses your credit card fraudulently, you are never respoinsible for more than $50 and the credit card companies usually even waive that. If you use a debit card or a check, the money is GONE from your account and you have to wait for the bank to decide to put it back in (and there's no guarantee that they will).

Sorry, incorrect! Our credit union issued us new debit cards voluntarily this past week, but meanwhile (in writing) we were told that under 'no' circumstances would we be liable for 'any' losses to our accounts if we notified them - never quit using them anywhere. We 'watch' our balances, as usual.

I don't have a debit card - not the same protections as credit cards. When I need cash, I write a check and go to the bank. I write checks for my bills - won't do that online, too many chances for errors, which I know will get corrected, but don't want the headaches. I NEVER have bills automatically paid from my checking account - that will never happen. I usually pay by credit card (pay off in full of course), but I write checks at Costco.

Again, sorry, not true here, complete protection. And, again, your info is 'online' whether you like it or not!

I've actually switched from using a debit card almost exclusively to a credit card. I figure with a credit card I won't be liable for the charges and the money won't just disappear from my account.

No worries if you 'watch' your account like we all should regardless.

Agreed. I always use credit cards because when my account gets hacked it is easy to get my money back.

Yes, if you are diligent in watching your account, but no different for us keeping tabs on our checking account with a debit card!

Come on, I know you know those aren't free. You paid for them indirectly.

Sorry, wrong! We pay our card in full each month and I end up with 'cash cards' for a lot of my Disney vacations!

If you buy gas with a credit card, you pay 15 to 20 cents a gallon more with a credit card than at stations that are cash only.
Which gets to my note about small businesses that refuse to take credit cards and debit cards because of the fees.

Wow, have seen a 'few' truck stops charge up to 5 cents more for diesel, but none of the stations where we live have any 'cash' only and definitely not 15 TO 20 CENTS!!

I don't know of any businesses around here that don't take credit cards - maybe where you live. Also, if you make the choice to subsidize me using a credit card and you don't want one also, that's your choice! The businesses also pay.

No petition needed. Merchants that don't take credit cards often charge less. I've voted with my money.

Again, as above, don't know of any businesses here like that, so voting with your money here wouldn't get you very far! What kind of businesses are you talking about and their names? If small 'mom & pops', then you are automatically paying higher prices than larger volume stores.

The banks have 30 days to put money back in if stolen via debit for what it's worth.
You still are out the money though.

We 'are not' out the money - have it in writing - can understand it would take a few days to straighten it out - they honor any auto deductions.


So, to sum it up for us - it's been/will be business as usual. We enjoy the freedom/ease of using debits and credit cards and will continue. Like it or not, we are in the electronic age and we are all 'online' and vulnerable to a degree.

 

[tina.tina]

To me, it is very strange how many people (my parents included) think that because they don't shop online their information is not online.

 

[sunshinehighway]

So with all the hassle of credit card thefts, I was just wondering if some people will go back to using checks? [/QUOTE

Nope!



Whether people are aware/or like it, we are 'all' in the 'system'.



Sorry, incorrect! Our credit union issued us new debit cards voluntarily this past week, but meanwhile (in writing) we were told that under 'no' circumstances would we be liable for 'any' losses to our accounts if we notified them - never quit using them anywhere. We 'watch' our balances, as usual.



Again, sorry, not true here, complete protection. And, again, your info is 'online' whether you like it or not!



No worries if you 'watch' your account like we all should regardless.



Yes, if you are diligent in watching your account, but no different for us keeping tabs on our checking account with a debit card!



Sorry, wrong! We pay our card in full each month and I end up with 'cash cards' for a lot of my Disney vacations!




Wow, have seen a 'few' truck stops charge up to 5 cents more for diesel, but none of the stations where we live have any 'cash' only and definitely not 15 TO 20 CENTS!!

I don't know of any businesses around here that don't take credit cards - maybe where you live. Also, if you make the choice to subsidize me using a credit card and you don't want one also, that's your choice! The businesses also pay.




Again, as above, don't know of any businesses here like that, so voting with your money here wouldn't get you very far! What kind of businesses are you talking about and their names? If small 'mom & pops', then you are automatically paying higher prices than larger volume stores.



We 'are not' out the money - have it in writing - can understand it would take a few days to straighten it out - they honor any auto deductions.


So, to sum it up for us - it's been/will be business as usual. We enjoy the freedom/ease of using debits and credit cards and will continue. Like it or not, we are in the electronic age and we are all 'online' and vulnerable to a degree.

I've been to businesses that don't take credit cards but it's always small stores in tourist areas. I ran into it a lot in a shopping area near Lake Winnipesaukee. Either the smaller stores didn't take credit cards at all or they have minimum purchase requirements for non cash payments. Ran into the same thing in Newport, RI too.

I've never run into that problem outside of tourist areas though. Some stores that don't take Amex or Discover but they always take Visa and Mastercard.