All over the world cash is being pushed offstage by the more flexible and possibly safer plastic card. The card itself, or so we hear, will also soon be replaced by electronic money. The region of electronic money, however, does not comprise the entire world. Shameful as it is, I must admit that sometimes I wave the dreaded credit card in shopkeepers’ faces just to see the look of sheer horror. There is usually a slight withdrawal as if I had offered to buy the cow with Jack’s magic beans. Then, after a minute of pulling themselves together, one of three excuses is offered:
(a) Sorry our machine is broken/telephone line is dead
(b) Couldn’t you pay by Visa/SPAN instead? or, the final indignity,
(c) You’ll have to pay a surcharge (thus defeating the whole purpose of haggling over the price).
What is going on here? Is it simply an aversion to American Express or does it go further? Is it a deep-seated fear of THE CARD or maybe the hefty charge that some stores have to pay? Some stores try - illegally - to pass that charge to you, the customer. While unacceptable, this practice is somewhat more understandable at your corner grocery store than in a major international hotel chain. While sorting my papers after a recent trip, I found that the Marriott had, without informing me, automatically added a 10% surcharge to my hotel bill. AMEX I am assured, encourages its clients to register complaints against any establishment who does such. But to tell the truth, if you have enough time to sift through the paperwork in order to get your $100 refunded with, perhaps, an apology and a complimentary stay at the hotel - you are probably retired and just looking for some way to fill up time. I certainly never took it up with the company, even after subjecting everyone within earshot to a tirade against the injustice of it.
Despite this drawback, there are still many advantages to the card. I remember one advert showing the advantages of traveling light — carrying only your credit card. Using the card, you can buy a whole new wardrobe, pay for your hotel and then buy a video camera to shoot the bullfight. I am tempted to try it though I don’t really want to risk my husband’s wrath.
Lose your card? No problem; just cancel it and we will send you a replacement within 24 hours. Isn’t that the line? And even if you don’t go traipsing all over Europe with your plastic friend, there are still many chances to use it on the great highway that is the Internet. Web pages are full of offers and catalogs begging you to buy buy buy. Worries about the wisdom of putting your credit card number on the web have held many back, especially locally. But as a veteran shopper in a number of bookstores, I assure you, the joys of receiving your books in the mail — UPS of course — 4 days after they were pictures on the monitor, far outweighs any such fears.
If you are still hesitant, do one of the following:
(a) Keep repeating to yourself that there are programs available which automatically generate credit card numbers — so it isn’t as though your number was such a prize!
(b) Remember that most websites use an advanced encryption program to keep information secure and
(c) You can apply for a card with a limit of only $1,000 so that even if it is stolen, you know that the criminal cannot use it to buy a Ferrari online.
Still, not many people seem to understand how convenient it is not to have to carry around large wads of cash. And until they do, the sight of a credit card will continue to strike fear into the heart of many a shopkeeper. Happy Shopping!
