Bah Humbug

Born in '82, so...

Bah Humbug

It is, but we're also literally talking about unnecessarily wiping out a bunch of chargers and cables that were fine and didn't need to be changed. So yeah I'm going to kvetch about other things being planned into obsolescence.

However, by settling onto the "old" connectors, I'm preserving the parts I have for another three years.

And I will not cease being annoyed by this, no.

Mojo31

I ran into a rather annoying thing today. Went to lunch in a place in Dallas with the wife and son. Got the bill and noticed a $2.37 credit card fee on a $65 tab (3.5%).

I had heard of places doing that, but it’s the first time that I’ve noticed it on a bill.

I have seen “health care” fees on restaurant tabs in Austin. That’s annoying as well.

Thoughts?

Mojo31

Its all about faster charging. And sometimes wireless charging.

WhyFi

For you. For others, every move to or from an Apple device (or any other manufacturer that eschews industry standards in favor of proprietary connections) means additional waste. And let's just call it what it was: just one more way to nudge people away from switching to a different ecosystem on their next phone/tablet/laptop purchase.

Velo Vol 

I don't think the management goal is for more people to start paying in cash, so essentially a new fee.

LesterOfPuppets

They may prefer cash, if they are paying kitchen staff under the table or happen to be running a money laundering operation out of the place

I bet they got a sweet PPP grant.

Velo Vol 

I suppose that's possible if it's on the smaller side.

DougRNS

about a month ago I saw it for the first time. I think it was a 3% fee on credit AND debit cards. Total BS. Might have to start paying with quarters and dimes. Remember, the consumer has power to go on strike. About 10 years ago I stopped going to a national restaurant chain after a bad experience. 2 of them in my area went belly up. I had nothing to do with their demise but it felt good. Real good in the neighborhood.

genejockey 

I imagine it's hard to find staff willing to work for low wages and no benefits with 3.5% unemployment, and then there's also the big increase food costs, so perhaps they keep their menu prices looking not as bad by adding fees you can see rather than simply rolling all the costs into the prices.

Mojo31

The one we went to is part of a chain of Bread Winners Cafe and Bakery restaurants. The other that I know of is a very high end steak place in Ft. Worth and Houston ($300-400+ for dinner for two).

I agree it’s a way to increase gross revenues and profitability. I’d rather see them raise the price of a burger from $17 to $18. That would sit better in my mind.

Mojo31

Well, this time it kind of backfired on them. I first deducted the charge from the bill, and then tipped 15% on the remainder rather than my usual 20%+. I’m sure others don’t even pay attention, and tip on the total.

Mojo31

Ha, not if they have a cash payroll! PPP loan apps required you to document your payroll thru 941 filings and other means.

WhyFi

When we had a store in Brooklyn, which was about 15 years ago, agreements with credit card networks, Visa, MC, etc, prohibited vendors from passing processing fees on to the customers. I guess that's changed?

Velo Vol 

You showed them!

Velo Vol 

Also, who (besides my dad) uses a debit card?

Mojo31

Me. Everywhere, including our lunch today. Yes, the fee was added for both cc and dc transactions.

We had some wedding vendors that would take debit, but not credit cards (for some unknown reason), and some that required a check or cash.

DougRNS

People who don't have good enough credit for a credit card. Most hourly workers. Are you a 1%er?

Velo Vol 

Why?
"Most" hourly workers can't get a credit card? wut

I got one when I was in college and had almost no income.

Obviously credit card debt is very bad for some people. But if you autopay your balance every month, the 2% back seems like an easy win to me.

DougRNS

People make mistakes with managing their money. Living paycheck is quite common. Not everyone has a lawn mowing empire like you.

Mojo31

Mainly budgeting. We load a set amount into our checking account monthly, and that is used for groceries, dining out, entertainment, and other routine household stuff. When we run faste, we slow down. Helps us avoid unpleasant surprises.

We also have a 2% rebate credit card that is used for a lot of recurring payments and larger items. I also have a business card for frequent flier points.

We have our system and it works for us. The 2% we might lose by using the debit card is immaterial.

big john

I couldn't get one until I was 37? ish. GM was promoting the GM Mastercard and they wouldn't give me one even though I worked at a GM dealer. I bought a new truck when I worked there and I had to get a co-signer. After that they're standing in line to try and lend me money

Mrs John still doesn't have one. Well, she has a debit card that works as a credit card and she had trouble getting that because of bankruptcy during her divorce.

LesterOfPuppets

Yeah I have a couple, and use one for the occasional trip to WinCo.

Generally I put stuff on a CC, gotta get that 3-5% cash back!

rjones28 

People with bank accounts.

mschwett 

i use my debit card sometimes, although typically in the form of apple pay. it's one less step really, but no perks, so i use credit cards for larger purchases. i believe it costs the retailer a little less than a credit card, although i'm not sure since they go through the visa/mc networks, right?

what i do not have or use is checks, so if funds are to come directly out of my checking account, it's via electronic transfer or the debit "card."