Small Business Owner Insights

I like breakfast. A Lot.

About twice a week, I will throw the latest book I am reading into the messenger bag and head off to a greasy spoon, Mom and Pop diner to get some scrambled eggs, sausage, grits and toast.

This morning was such a morning. However, because my regular place was closed due to a death in the family and I do not carry cash, I was unable to buy breakfast. I drove to three different places, any of which would have been fine with me, but because I was not willing to do business their way (pay cash), they did not get my business. Instead, in frustration (and hunger), I ended up going to McDonalds, where I spent much less than I was planning on spending, got worse food than I wanted, yet they let me do business with them my way.

I know all the justifications for not accepting plastic:

• There is a 3% fee
• There is a .25 cent charge per transaction
• Increased admin time
• 2-3 day delay in getting the funds

You know what? I don’t care. Every reason you could possibly have for not accepting credit cards has to do with you, the business owner. None of them affect me, the customer, at all.