# Random “Why don’t we have this in the US” thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2023, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294 "2023-07-20T09:15:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/161 "2023-07-24T21:39:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Hmm. I am mystified by this last post. One of us is confused, and it may well be me. Is it the use of “fire all customers” to refer to (I think) “refuse service to all customers”? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/162 "2023-07-24T21:41:24Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > Hmm. I am mystified by this last post. One of us is confused, and it may well be me. > > People will pay with regular bank cards and if the bar doesn’t take them they will go to another bar that does because who wants to use cash? I’m not sure who asserted customers were “fired”. I fully agree with your idea that any business that insists on cash-only will lose both pure credit card and pure debit card customers as you say. Those folks will go buy [whatever] down the street. More precisely, _some_ of those would-be customers go down the street. _Others_ grumble a bit then pull cash out of their wallet just fine. Only the former are realized actual losses to the business. The ownership at these cash-only retailers have decided, for reasons sound or not, that the net effect of this is to their benefit. What they gain in fees (or scrutiny) avoided more than pays for the customers lost. Or so the proprietor thinks. It’s not any deeper than that. Related to the above, in Mom’n’Pop places around here I increasingly see signs at the register or wording on menus like: > Debit / credit cards accepted, but cash is welcomed. Help us save on outrageous bank fees and keep your prices low. Pay cash … please." Minimum purchase requirements on card, often $10, are another common tactic intended to avoid making individual sales money-makers for Visa and money-losers for the retailer. This isn’t new. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/163 "2023-07-24T21:42:12Z")
Not usually - the bars that only take cash are IME a particular type of bar that generally caters to the type of customer that often prefers to use cash. That sort of customer still exists, but I don’t know how much longer they will be around. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/164 "2023-07-24T21:43:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m not sure who asserted customers were “fired”. Sorry, I think that was me. Trying to use a colourful idiom–nothing more. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/165 "2023-07-24T21:43:29Z")
You’re saying that your final price was not the same as the price posted for the object, because local taxes had to be factored in. Which is literally the same as the American system. Now that may be because you were dealing with American vendors. My question still stands. How do other countries show prices on their websites that manage to include local taxes for other countries, which was the claim made above. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/166 "2023-07-24T21:47:03Z")
I really how no idea how much I pay in taxes for foreign online purchases, or if I even pay taxes at all. I give them money, they send me a product; beyond that, I don’t ask questions. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/167 "2023-07-24T21:52:11Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > I’m not sure who asserted customers were “fired”. > > Sorry, I think that was me. Trying to use a colourful idiom–nothing more. No sweat. 🙂 . At that point in the convo it was you and me conversing about something @wolfpup had started, and I was trying to figure out where he’d said it and I’d missed it. When I didn’t find it I was confused. I confuse easy sometimes, especially poolside w a drink. I’ve certainly used that colorful idiom a time or three myself. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/168 "2023-07-24T21:58:18Z")
In Canada, merchants pay a flat rate of roughly 10 cents for a debit transaction, or a 2 to 4 percent rate for credit cards. Thus - I always pay cash for small (less than $5) transactions - helping out the merchant a little bit. I tend to reserve my credit card usage for foreign transactions or online purchases (always pay in the local currency if that’s an option - you can get shafted on the exchange rates). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/169 "2023-07-24T22:05:31Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The majestic @wolfpup would never frequent such places. Quite so. And that is why, with all the trials and tribulations in this world of sin and woe, living as I do in a country that has forsaken one-dollar and two-dollar bills and is awash in loonies and twonies, the following circumstance has never been of concern to this upstanding pup: 😉 > [@silenus](#): > > how do you tuck a Looney in a g-string? ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/170 "2023-07-24T22:08:21Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > You’re saying that your final price was not the same as the price posted for the object, because local taxes had to be factored in. Which is literally the same as the American system. Now that may be because you were dealing with American vendors. > > My question still stands. How do other countries show prices on their websites that manage to include local taxes for other countries, which was the claim made above. Within the EU, for online orders of a customer in country A from a vendor in country B, the vendor applies the VAT rate of country B. That is doable because the rate is by country. Vendors with a small amount of foreign sales are exempted; they can apply their domestic rate. In all cases the price including VAT is displayed before clicking the final ‘order’ button. If I shop at a brick and mortar store in another EU country the local VAT rate applies. > **[VAT – Value Added Tax - Your Europe](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/vat/index_en.htm)** > > Paying VAT on purchases made by EU residents in other EU countries. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/171 "2023-07-24T22:10:55Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > Within the EU, for online orders of a customer in country A from a vendor in country B, the vendor applies the VAT rate of country B. That is doable because the rate is by country. The rate in the US is 0%. What do they do then? Just not charge VAT? ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/172 "2023-07-24T22:15:45Z")
Yes, for sales outside the EU no VAT is charged, as VAT is a tax on consumption within the country that levies VAT. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/173 "2023-07-24T22:31:24Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I have a debit card that lives in a desk drawer at home. Mine probably would too, but our favorite grocery store doesn’t take credit. @Smapti is working on fixing that 🙂 I assume that debit cards have less merchant overhead than credit which is why they don’t take credit cards. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/174 "2023-07-24T22:47:56Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I assume that debit cards have less merchant overhead than credit which is why they don’t take credit cards. Yup. For the biggest companies something like $0.40 on a $50 debit transaction vs $1.00 for a credit transaction or even $1.50 if your card is a rewards one. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/175 "2023-07-24T22:54:24Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > … > the following circumstance has never been of concern to this upstanding pup: 😉 > > > [@silenus](#): > > > > how do you tuck a Looney in a g-string? All well and good for such an upstanding Citizen, but I’m still awaiting some more downstanding Canuck stopping by to explain how they do tuck a Looney in a G-string. Asking for a friend near the border. 😉 I’ve certainly seen exotic dancers with finger cymbals. But a crotch full of toonies sounds less … melodic. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/176 "2023-07-24T22:58:37Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > the vendor applies the VAT rate of country B. That is doable because the rate is by country. I’m sure it is. But that’s not my question. When you go online and look at a website for a product, what product is listed for that product? If you want a 32.4mm widget is the price listed as, say, €12, but when the VAT is added, the total is €13? ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/177 "2023-07-25T00:55:24Z")
Data point on taxes. I have a sales tax for Texas. On the license, it clearly states that you can include sales tax in your price as long as you inform your customers. Nobody does that. I’m almost surprised someone hasn’t figured out that it would be cheaper than dicking with pennies. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/178 "2023-07-25T01:05:53Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Debit / credit cards accepted, but cash is welcomed. Help us save on outrageous bank fees and keep your prices low. Pay cash … please." I regularly go to a restaurant like that. They will take CCs, but would rather not. The thing is that their prices are so low that I cannot figure out how they stay in business. I want to help them in any way I can (including generous tips since I assume they pay the waitress peanuts). ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/179 "2023-07-25T01:21:00Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > They will take CCs, but would rather not. In my experience that’s what nearly every business in Greece is like. Most, but not all, can accept cards, but they’d really rather have cash. If you don’t have cash they will very reluctantly run your card. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/180 "2023-07-25T01:41:31Z")
It’s always a matter of debate to me how much the reluctance is real versus feigned. Yes they prefer cash, but how _much_ do they prefer cash? Some folks are pretty shameless in how far they’ll guilt people for relatively negligible benefit to themselves. Others are more evenhanded. Lotta showmanship in retail. Especially tourist retail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294.md?page=10)