The comment about people using EBT cards correlating to an increase in prices reminded me of something years and years ago that had a brief emergence in the public consciousness.
I say brief because although it might be some local news in depth reporting for a few days, it passes by and no-one remembers or cares as time go on.
Use of Credit cards of any kind add an invisible charge to the cost of doing business.
Businesses lose a bit of that purchase money to pay for the overhead/privilege of accepting credit cards. American Express charged a little more and I remember some businesses with signs stating up front they accepted Visa and MC but not Am Exp.
Everyone may not remember that bit of history, but I bet everyone knows some local/mom&pop store even today that only accepts cash. Bigger stores or chains can absorb or pass that cost along where the volume and profit margins of smaller stores just can't do that.
I say brief because although it might be some local news in depth reporting for a few days, it passes by and no-one remembers or cares as time go on.
Use of Credit cards of any kind add an invisible charge to the cost of doing business.
Businesses lose a bit of that purchase money to pay for the overhead/privilege of accepting credit cards. American Express charged a little more and I remember some businesses with signs stating up front they accepted Visa and MC but not Am Exp.
Everyone may not remember that bit of history, but I bet everyone knows some local/mom&pop store even today that only accepts cash. Bigger stores or chains can absorb or pass that cost along where the volume and profit margins of smaller stores just can't do that.