My problem is the opposite of yours. I like to write checks because I end up spending too much when I use credit cards. Often businesses won’t take checks because they are afraid of them being returned.

Since my husband owned his own business for 20 years, I knew that there was a fee involved with credit card use. And yes, they should build the fee in to their prices. When a business makes the request they did to you, to me it’s evidence the business is in trouble and is trying to find every conceivable way to cut back on their costs.

I think I would go to a different florist because I’m sure that the others will take your credit card in a minute. They want your business. It’s a shame that this clerk (it was probably the owner) because in trying to save a little bit she may have lost you as a customer. However, if you really like this florist you could still go there, sacrifice by using a check and minister to this person and let her know you are praying for the business.

My problem is the opposite of yours. I like to write checks because I end up spending too much when I use credit cards. Often businesses won’t take checks because they are afraid of them being returned.

Since my husband owned his own business for 20 years, I knew that there was a fee involved with credit card use. And yes, they should build the fee in to their prices. When a business makes the request they did to you, to me it’s evidence the business is in trouble and is trying to find every conceivable way to cut back on their costs.

I think I would go to a different florist because I’m sure that the others will take your credit card in a minute. They want your business. It’s a shame that this clerk (it was probably the owner) because in trying to save a little bit she may have lost you as a customer. However, if you really like this florist you could still go there, sacrifice by using a check and minister to this person and let her know you are praying for the business.

Here are more comments I received via e-mail and Twitter:

Jan – I recently found out that a bakery I patronize was paying nearly as much in fees to the credit company as the price of the loaf of bread I buy there each week. That means they were loosing money every time I bought one because the cost of ingredients and staff time cost more than they kept. They never mentioned the problem but my husband told me about it and when I asked someone in the store they said he was correct. Now I try only to use my credit card at any local business if I’m spending at least ten dollars.

@joellem (Twitter) – Strange. Usually businesses have a sign if they only allow CC purchases above, say, $20, and do cash for sm purchases.

Here are more comments I received via e-mail and Twitter:

Jan – I recently found out that a bakery I patronize was paying nearly as much in fees to the credit company as the price of the loaf of bread I buy there each week. That means they were loosing money every time I bought one because the cost of ingredients and staff time cost more than they kept. They never mentioned the problem but my husband told me about it and when I asked someone in the store they said he was correct. Now I try only to use my credit card at any local business if I’m spending at least ten dollars.

@joellem (Twitter) – Strange. Usually businesses have a sign if they only allow CC purchases above, say, $20, and do cash for sm purchases.