..that serves food at lunchtimes and in the evening and Sunday.It serves a selection of cask conditioned ales, wines and spirits and yet it does not take plastic!!! It seems extraordinary (to me anyway) that a service business such as a pub/restaurant doesn't accept credit or debit cards .I am assured the food is really very good but in this day and age how can the business survive? Does anyone know of any similar 'plastic' abstainees?
It takes ages to get money from a credit card into your actual account - suppose it could cause big cash flow problems if you suddenly went from having all your takings in cash to having a big chunk caught up in the system for about 4 weeks.
The card processing company also charge you a monthly fee and they might even take a percentage of all debit/credit card purchases (it can work out quite expensive really for a business to accept plastic) - we offer a discount to people who don't use credit/debit cards.
the golf range I use became cash only for a long while, the reason was because the owner was up to his eyes in debt, since then the place has been sold and the new owners allow card purchases now.
Plus, of course, in addition to waiting for tthe money, they have to pay commission, so not every penny you spend there goes to them. A new chic restaurant near me has recently opened and they do not accept cards. With 10 cash points within 30 secs walking distance, I don't blame them.
Don't talk to me about Sant@nder. Their cashpoint gobbled up my card last week because it was having 'technical difficulties' (the machine, not my card) and left me potless. Fortunately my own bank was only one block away and the kind lady could see what had happened and gave me the cash, rather than send me home in the snow and ice to get my chequebook. Won't ever use their ATMs again!
You've got to pay rent & commission for CC machines. Pubs have temp/part time staff & often pay them cash. Credit card payments can be cancelled or disputed. That aint much good once the food has been consumed.
What would be interesting to know is how the rates for rent/commission levied on card machines compare with those that businesses are charged for payong cash/cheques into their business account. Most shops now will not accept cheques. I know someone will say, "Why not just pay by card in the first place?" but if you are skint the day before pay day your card may well be declined, whereas if you pay by cheque, by the time it reaches your bank there will be funds to cover it.