Credit Card Purchases

[Hatchdog]

I mostly use my debit card. Don't seem to be any places around here with a surcharge other than the county courthouse that charges a fee for using a card for car tabs and property taxes. Fred Myer does have a small surcharge if you want cash back.

I recently heard that if you are using a credit/debit card someplace like a gas pump where a scanner could have been placed it's safer to use tap to pay as that generates a unique code each time it's used.

Didn’t know about the tap security feature, thanks for the tip.

[dave77]

The only downside is if you lose the card as tap to pay doesn't usually require entering a pin.

[HenryFan]

I never carry much cash and generally use a credit card for purchases unless the cost is small. I realize there is a cost factored in by the merchant but the convenience of a card outweighs that, at least to me.

Anyway, few places offer a "cash price" under a credit card price.

I pay the balance off each month so I don't incur an interest or late charge.

[dave77]

I carry a couple of $50's for emergencies and usually a little extra for tips as I prefer giving cash instead of putting it on my card. I'll get an extra $20 bill back on my Monday shopping bill for my Tuesday night bowling fee. Other than that I use my debit card or occasionally a credit card and I maybe write a couple of checks a year, I can't remember that last time I had to order new checks.

Also have my bank account set up to send me a text any time my debit or bank credit card is used. I check it online a couple times a week to see my balance and check recent charges.

I used to balance my checkbook monthly and would try to find the error if it was more than a few bucks, the mistake was always mine so now I just trust that what the bank says my balance is is correct.

[Vaquero]

I prefer cash to a card, the main use of my card is fuel and a few online purchases.
I have noticed that the little country store down the road charges a flat .30 cents for card use.

RP

[BigAl52]

I prefer cash to a card, the main use of my card is fuel and a few online purchases.
I have noticed that the little country store down the road charges a flat .30 cents for card use.

RP

What about the grocery store? I always use a card there. Reason for the use of the card is the cash back cards offer.

[Hatchdog]

I’m seeing some local gas stations offering two prices, one for credit and another for cash about .10 difference. I haven’t seen that for probably 10+ years. So far no stores/restaurants that I have been are putting an upcharge on but I’m going to start paying more attention. Seems like they shouldn’t be able to do that without a disclosure.

[Mags]

I’m seeing some local gas stations offering two prices, one for credit and another for cash about .10 difference.....

Chevron stations have been doing that for years here. Some others too.

[Vaquero]

Al, the wife does most of the grocery shopping and usually uses cash.
Hatch, a few of the convenience stores and gas stations have been doing that around for a couple years,
but seems that more are doing it now than before.

RP