XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.books   
   From: lcraver@home.ca   
      
   On Sun, 18 Aug 2013 06:08:23 +1000, "Rod Speed"   
    wrote:   
      
   >> and payment processing is a major element of their costs.   
   >   
   >No, and none of the electronic payment alternatives   
   >cost the business as much as doing the transaction   
   >with cash with all those cash handling costs involved.   
      
   That's an exaggeration.   
      
   >> I'm not contradicting what you're saying - but   
   >> don't assume the banking system is 'free' as it   
   >> makes quite a serious impact on the bottom line.   
   >   
   >Not really, even when its an entirely cash based system.   
      
   I pay typically $1500-2000 per month on credit card related charges in   
   my business and I'm far from a huge enterprise.   
      
   >> This is particularly serious in the grocery business   
   >> where margins are smaller and their 'turns' are higher.   
   >   
   >But they have always had to deal with the cost of handling cash.   
      
   Which as I've said are not nearly as high as you suggest.   
      
   >Its just not as visible per transaction.   
   >   
   >> My understanding is that debit costs are lower in Canada   
   >> than the US and VISA/MC charges are lower in the US.   
      
   This is anecdotal rather than any particular statistic but I believe   
   it's true. I am willing to change my view given suitable evidence.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)