[Porsche-O-Phile]

As a customer I prefer to deal with businesses that accept cards. I live on my debit card and for one HATE cash (PITA, takes up too much room, is nasty/dirty, etc). Yes I realize that cash transactions are the "best" from a personal privacy standpoint but I far prefer using my debit card and I've never had an issue. I don't really like the feeling of things in my pockets so this way I carry a very minimalist wallet with a DL and two debit cards (one from each of my two credit unions) and have an emergency $100 folded in behind the license. That's it.

I really get annoyed by businesses who expect me to carry around pocketfuls of filthy bills or who are obnoxious enough to try and charge two different prices (one for cash, one for credit, usually to incentivize cash transactions). I think the tactic and the oft-cited rationalization for it (I have to pay fees) is pretty thin - there is just as much overhead (maybe more) with cash handling... One has to implement security protocols, have secure storage and transfer mechanisms, possibly hire additional staff to perform these transactions (and people or cameras to watch/audit them), etc. So the notion that cash is without cost to a business is pretty thin.

Also, I'm the customer and ultimately I have a choice about where to take my business. If I don't get satisfaction in one place, I have no trouble going elsewhere (and do!) to get the level of service I expect, even if it's marginally more expensive. A smart business will provide its customers with service better than the competition and always come out ahead long-term for it (Pelican here is one good example). Stupid, petty inconvenient idiosyncrasies only alienate customers, as do stupid nickel-dime tactics. As a former boss of mine once said, "better to make a little off of a lot of people than try to make a ton off of a few". I completely agree. Take care of your customers, give them what they want (within reason) and the revenue/profit will take care of itself.