Originally Posted by
drajknox
Given that there are significant costs and security risks dealing with cash most retailers likely prefer card transactions and the cost to process payments should just be calculated in the cost of sales just like it would be paying a staff member to count/reconcile/bank takings - it’s no different from costs such as IT, POS system, electricity, insurance etc and should be build into the price for goods and services. While there is a difference between surcharges between cards and types of payments it is minimal and far easier to include in the price - and if that approach is universal probably a better experience for the consumer and the retailer.
It's much like councils charging a surcharge for paying for parking using electronic means while cash is free.
Meanwhile they have to pay somebody to walk around clearing cash from machines, processing it, and then depositing that in the bank - all things that incur costs. Down here in Wellington people have also been ripping off the machines and stealing the cash so there are added costs for machine repairs and the loss of revenue.