So I walk into a local Mom & Pop store hoping to buy a few drinks for the work week. Unfortunately the drinks I usually buy were expired so instead of leaving empty handed I grab a few smaller drinks and head up to the counter.
As the cashier rings it up I pull out my debit card, which for the last 10 years I’ve never had a problem with. The cashier, who was eyeballing me check the dates on the drinks I put back, looks at me with a frown and says, “Sorry, we have a $5 dollar minimum limit on using debit cards.” As I step back to gather my thoughts I also notice a sign that says, “For our employees safety, no bills over 20 please.” Another sign says, “Sorry, no personal checks and no American Express.”
What the fuck.
Annoyed, I reply, “Okay, I guess I will take some gum and maybe a $.25 cent super sized lemon head? How much is that?”
The cashier responds with, “That’s $4.20, do you want something else?”
At this point I am ready to walk out of the store. I am not the type to get annoyed, frustrated easy, or write rants like this, but for whatever reason, this situation absolutely pisses me off. I respond with a blank face, “Can you just ring up $.80 cents worth of invisible product?”
The cashier clicks her little buttons and I buy an invisible 80 cent product, making my total $5.00. The last $5.00 this store will ever see from me or my bank.
I am unsure if the city I live in is behind, because I recall a few out-of-town places I’ve visted set limits on the minimum amount you can use a debit card years ago. For whatever reason, the local stores around here have turned it up this year. I assume Visa or Mastercard has upped the price of what they charge these stores to accept debit cards, so my frustration is possibly misguided. Truth be told, I don’t give a fuck who is responsible for this stupid fucking rule, because I know when I buy a 1 liter Mountain Dew for $1.76 at the Mom & Pop store, they make at least $.77 cents profit, because I can buy the same fucking drink at Wal-Mart for $.99 cents. Is that $.77 cent profit not worth the $.35 cents they get charged to accept credit cards?
Apparently not.
From now on I will cut out the Mom & Pop middle man, quit supporting the community, and go to Wal-Mart and buy the same product for much cheaper, in bulk. Why small Mom & Pop stores feel this is a good idea is beyond me. Cut off your own nose to spite your face.