Snapshot

[99explorer]

It's much the same idea as when I don't know in advance how much to tip a workman at my house, esp. for "extras."
I keep a $5 bill in one pants pocket,a $10 bill in another, and a $20 bill in my shirt pocket.

[99explorer]

'99, I don't know what money you are using but 12 folded U.S. 100's would fit in a credit card holder.

I don't want to keep all my eggs in one basket.

[FirstBubba]

Bubba, The Company that clears the transactions provides the reader for little to nothing for using their service. I know, I had one.

I was at a gun show Sat and I estimate about 10 to 15% of Dealers had card readers. They need the connection anyway to call in the purchase info, so it is just a small additional step to get a reader, My car repair guy will give me a 25 to 30% discount and I am sure the Franklins go right into his boats gas tanks. He has about 1,000hp boat. The thing is, every now and then I give him a card to see that the bill is a reasonable so he did not pump up a bill so he can then back it down in lieu of cash.

I know two different small business owners who used those scanners. They both gave them up due to costs. I didn't ask any questions. I just took them at their word.

[jhjimbo]

Bubba, There has always been a fee for accepting a MC or Visa. Sometimes several %. However the reader company is a different one that processes the transaction, at least that is how mine was set up.

[FirstBubba]

"... There has always been a fee for accepting a MC or Visa. ..."

...and there you have it.
Flat rate or percent of purchase.
A small purchase, the flat rate eats up profit pretty quickly.
Percent of purchase can get to be quite a chunk of change out of your profit margin selling "big ticket" items.

[Ontario Honker Hunter]

I know two different small business owners who used those scanners. They both gave them up due to costs. I didn't ask any questions. I just took them at their word.

The fees charged by credit card companies are different than what, if anything, is charged by the banks for debit. Depending on the client or the bank, a fee may be charged to the purchaser. Often the banks give so many free transactions per month and then charge a fee after that, but I am unlimited transactions because I'm an extremely valued customer. Like cheques, bank sometimes doesn't charge transaction fees if the client maintains a certain balance in his accounts. Vendors are, I believe, charged a nominal fee for transactions. Much less than credit card companies charge. I believe Jimbo is probably right, both the credit card companies and the companies who own the machines are charging fees to vendor. Still, having debit is almost compulsory for any business, even a small one, that wants to stay in business. Here customers simply turn around and walk out because so many, like me, just don't carry cash anymore. ALL gas stations have debit because it's a problem if a customer pumps fuel then comes in to pay and there's no way to pay because there's no debit. What do you do then, give the customer a hose and can and tell them to suck it out? To avoid paying transaction fees some stations have tried installing ATMs inside but those things are always a terrible ripoff for fees and don't work half the time anyway. Make life difficult for customers and they don't come back. Almost all gas stations now have card readers on the pumps and many in the States leave the pumps operational via cards even after the station is closed at night. Very handy when I'm driving back to Montana! Curiously, few if any gas stations up here do that. Debit fees are simply the cost of doing business. Don't get on board, and you won't stay in business. Customers will go elsewhere. Vendors simply raise prices and shove the cost of transaction fees off onto consumer. What's new about that?

[PigHunter]

I use a debit or credit card at the gas pump, grocery store, and at large retailer stores. I use cash at restaurants, inside convenience stores, at the package store, and in bars. Cash is also used at flee markets, gun shows, and any time I purchase ammo in person. Finally, I tend to use cash (instead of check) whenever I buy something from an individual or give money to family.

[PigHunter]

But, getting back to cameras, there are lots of advantages to using a small point-and-shoot with portable tripod whenever I'm hiking, boating, or hunting alone. Like I said, using the self-timer greatly helps with selfies. I've tried a selfie stick with my cell phone but never really liked it. I've also used an action camera but again wasn't totally pleased with the results.

[FirstBubba]

Between my phone and this setup, I can zoom a little, make videos and even convert video to pictures.

The tripod is second hand from a Bushnell sporting scope.

[99explorer]

I like credit cards because of the rewards program, whereby the customer gets cash in the amount of 1% of the amount charged.
I have received three $500 checks for my purchases over the past ten or twelve years.

[bowhunter75richard]

When self employed, I never accepted credit cards due to the charges billed to me by the credit card company, usually about 3.5% ! Many business people would simply add that charge to the customer’s bill originally, but that could result in ill feelings from customers, so I just stayed away from the entire process. Never lost a customer as a result, work spoke for itself !!

[99explorer]

Many years ago, the owner of a gas station that I used to tank up at told me they no longer would accept American Express credit cards, which at the time was the only credit card that I had.
I was compelled to take my business elsewhere.

[bowhunter75richard]

Many years ago, the owner of a gas station that I used to tank up at told me they no longer would accept American Express credit cards, which at the time was the only credit card that I had.
I was compelled to take my business elsewhere.

Gas is the same, can be bought at any gas station. Good taxidermy is quite a bit different.......just saying !

[FirstBubba]

Gas is the same, can be bought at any gas station. Good taxidermy is quite a bit different.......just saying !

I dunno bhr.
Unleaded w/10% ethanol is 2.249/gal
Unleaded without ethanol is 2.499/gal

My vehicle will burn either one, but the milage without the ethanol is worth the extra .25 cents a gallon.

[bowhunter75richard]

I dunno bhr.
Unleaded w/10% ethanol is 2.249/gal
Unleaded without ethanol is 2.499/gal

My vehicle will burn either one, but the milage without the ethanol is worth the extra .25 cents a gallon.

If you want to compare .25 cents a gallon to $500-600 head mounts, I’ll trade that anytime too Lol ! :-))