Cash or card?

In the past, there was a significant cost involved to taking a card payment for small businesses.

These days, the cost is small, much less than two per cent, and also there is very little set up charge (some card readers available for less than £20 and receipts can be sent to the purchaser by email or a printer is available for another £30) in providing card readers, so little cost that even buskers and Big Issue sellers sometimes take card payments.  There is also cost involved in taking cash to a bank and counting and bagging it, plus security.  Taking a card involves none of these, it goes straight to a bank and accontancy is far simpler and cheaper than keeping manual records of all payments, plus no errors in providing change and giving change for a £20 note when someone paid with a fiver.

I suspect in some cases businesses are run with cash only as it is less accountable.  Easier to pocket a few pounds now and again without going through the books. It may also be slightly faster at point of sale, although this is often not the case with people searching for their money and giving change.

Some businesses may not be aware of how easy it is to take cards these days.  I know if I was running any type of business I would welcome card payments.  Security is far easier,

In the past, there was a significant cost involved to taking a card payment for small businesses.

These days, the cost is small, much less than two per cent, and also there is very little set up charge (some card readers available for less than £20 and receipts can be sent to the purchaser by email or a printer is available for another £30) in providing card readers, so little cost that even buskers and Big Issue sellers sometimes take card payments.  There is also cost involved in taking cash to a bank and counting and bagging it, plus security.  Taking a card involves none of these, it goes straight to a bank and accontancy is far simpler and cheaper than keeping manual records of all payments, plus no errors in providing change and giving change for a £20 note when someone paid with a fiver.

I suspect in some cases businesses are run with cash only as it is less accountable.  Easier to pocket a few pounds now and again without going through the books. It may also be slightly faster at point of sale, although this is often not the case with people searching for their money and giving change.

Some businesses may not be aware of how easy it is to take cards these days.  I know if I was running any type of business I would welcome card payments.  Security is far easier,