Showerthought: I watched my neighborhood convenience store change cash policies over 3 years

I've been going to the same Speedway on Grand Avenue since 2019, and in 2020 they put up a sign saying cash was preferred, then by 2022 they started refusing bills over $20. Last month the cashier told me they only take cards after 10 PM because they got tired of counting drawers. Is anyone else noticing small local businesses quietly nudging cash out the door faster than the big chains?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_wendy1mo ago

I used to think cash was just more private and reliable, but after seeing how often my own corner store has to deal with counterfeit checks and late-night counting errors, I get why they're making the switch. The manager told me they lose more money from cash handling mistakes than they do from credit card fees in a typical month, which really surprised me. It still feels a little strange not having the option to pay with cash during certain hours, but I can't argue with their reasoning.

baker.holly1mo ago

That part about the corner store manager losing more from cash handling mistakes than credit card fees really got me. I used to be one of those people who thought cash was king and that card companies were just ripping everyone off. But honestly, I never stopped to think about all the small stuff that adds up with cash, like counting errors or workers making change wrong at the end of a long shift. It's easy to forget how much time and money it takes just to deal with the cash itself when you get right down to it. So yeah, I'm with you now, it makes a lot more sense from their side of the counter.

diana_kim661mo ago

That part about "losing more from cash handling mistakes than credit card fees" really hit me too (and I'm honestly still thinking about it). I think a lot of us, myself included, just assume cash is this clean, simple thing when it's actually a huge headache behind the counter. It's wild to realize that all those little errors, like a cashier accidentally giving back an extra five bucks at 10pm, add up to more than the fees we're always complaining about. I'm glad you're saying this because it makes me feel less alone in changing my mind, you know? It's easy to get stuck on the idea that cash is safer, but the real world is messier than that.