Who carries no cash?

[kv968]

If you consider $2-$13 "carrying cash" then yeah, I do.

Although I do have a little stash at home so if I know I'll need it I can grab that instead of going to the ATM. The only problem is not being accustomed to needing cash and forgetting to grab it. I've done that also.

As far as not accepting CC's, as the old saying goes, "the customer is always right", and if you do start losing business because people don't want to pay in cash then it might be time reevaluate the cost of accepting them vs. losing those patients. I know a patient is a totally different customer than say a convenience store patron but a "lost sale" is a "lost sale" if they add up.

[shaggy]

Hmm... I guess I just expect that to be built in to the markup on whatever I'm buying. I very rarely make any really, really small purchases, though, like a dollar or less.

The processing fees can be as high as $2.00 per transaction for some merchants. So if you buy something that costs $10, they're taking a beating.

[snafu]

A medical office is the last place I'd expect to find Liddites. I'm shocked that your boss won't accept CC/Debit card, HSA or even Square. Individuals are using Square for their yard sales, Craigslist sale and craft shows. If only a tiny percentage is skipping co pay, I suggest you tack on a surcharge for billing fees, with a really big sign in the waiting room to eliminate confusion. As receptionists book appointments they could remind patients they must pay cash co pay.

[cardtrick]

I always carry cash. Maybe once homeless people get the Square CC reader, I'll get rid of the cash.

[scfr]

Steve - Does your office staff call or Email people to remind them of their appointment? Could they include a reminder to bring cash for a co-pay?

[humandraydel]

Yes, we do not accept debit or credit. Cash or check only. And yes, we are a small business, 2 person private practice. But all of our patients know that and they still show up with no money. It isn't a new policy. It's been like that for the 13 years that I've been here and before that too.

Really? No offense but I'd probably find a new doctor. I have walked out of stores or gas stations before because they didn't accept CC. I NEVER carry cash.

[~bs]

That's a really small % of patients though. Most of what I'm talking about is people with traditional plans and modest co-pays due.

My dentist just bills me for the co-pay, which incurs postage cost for him plus he has to deal with uncollectible accounts.

Would be a lot simpler for you just to take debit cards + visa. Not taking HSA or electronic payments aren't going to drive customers away by themselves, but doesn't exactly leave a good impression on them for an otherwise routine or nice visit.

[~bs]

never carry cash...I don't even know where my ATM card is (did I even activate it? yikes). I put everything on my credit card....2% cash back. I even tried really hard to put our new car on my credit card.

2% CB on everything? You must be a fidelity amex/visa holder

[~bs]

I carry a $20 or two around for when I need to split bills with someone or when I buy something from a place that doesn't take card. But other than that, it's all going on one of my cards. Visa, Mastercard, Amex. 99% of the places I go to takes one of those 3.

[scfr]

I always carry some cash.
For small purchases, especially at a small business, I pay cash so that the merchant doesn't have to pay the CC processing fees. Likewise, if I am purchasing something from (or donating to) a non-profit I try to pay cash. I want my money to go to the charitable work, not to bank fees.

Steve - I vote with the rest of the forum members who say that it's time for your boss to begin accepting credit/debit cards. You can tell him that SA says it's the right thing to do!

It's super easy: https://squareup.com/

[NetSkyBlue]

I carry a lot of cash. I think it's rude to use a credit/debit card for a small purchase and expect the merchant to pay a relatively large percentage of their profits to the bank that's processing the charge.

Hmm... I guess I just expect that to be built in to the markup on whatever I'm buying. I very rarely make any really, really small purchases, though, like a dollar or less.

[shaggy]

I carry a lot of cash. I think it's rude to use a credit/debit card for a small purchase and expect the merchant to pay a relatively large percentage of their profits to the bank that's processing the charge.

[kork13]

I very rarely use cash.... However, I do normally carry at least a little bit of cash on me -- normally between $5-$20, though almost never more than $50. Pretty much everything I buy accepts credit card, so I just use that to reap the rewards/points.

[Blessed]

I don't carry cash unless I know I will need it. Us use my debit card 99% of the time. We do have one local restaurant that doesn't take cards. I would never show up for an appointment with out appropriate payment though. Mayo always just bills us the copay.

I understand why a merchant would resist because of the fees but it sure would make things easier.

[TheMom]

I always carry cash. We use credit for quite a lot, but I do find I stick to a grocery budget and personal spending budget much more if I pay in cash. I hate tracking money after the fact, so it works for me.

But, I always ask to be billed for doctor visits. Our FSA money gets paid from our health insurance, so the doctor will get 2 checks from insurance and I typically owe nothing OOP. But, it's often a pain to convince a new doctor or dentist that I need to be billed. I've trained DH to not pay too . I was always having to track down who he paid and get refunded since FSA paid it as well. Grrr.