# Why would a liquor store take debit cards but not credit cards? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 12, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290 "2017-12-12T16:21:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/1 "2017-12-12T16:21:32Z")
Just was at one yesterday, and was surprised by this policy of theirs. Not in a rough section of town, if that’s a factor. ---
**Author:** ![convextech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@convextech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/convextech)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/2 "2017-12-12T16:29:46Z")
Because someone could charge it back even though they kept the liquor. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/3 "2017-12-12T16:32:20Z")
Processing fees are higher on credit cards. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/4 "2017-12-12T16:33:06Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Just was at one yesterday, and was surprised by this policy of theirs. Not in a rough section of town, if that’s a factor. WAG but possibly because retailers have to pay juice to a credit card company (usually 3%) but not for cash taken out of a checking account, or at least not as much. The Woodmans Markets don’t take credit cards and their info says it’s to help keep their costs down. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/5 "2017-12-12T16:33:51Z")
WAG If you have a debit card, you would need the PIN to use it as a debit card, unlike a (stolen) credit card which you can fake a signature on. It actually checks the balance so the cash has to be there and it’s more likely they will actually get paid, versus a credit card which could be stolen and used without a PIN. All bets are off with a debit card that can be run as a credit card. Presumably they don’t allow that. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/6 "2017-12-12T18:27:21Z")
It could also be that the owners think it’s immoral for people to go into debt buying booze. But I find it unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/7 "2017-12-12T20:12:54Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Processing fees are higher on credit cards. This is very likely the reason. Merchants pay lower fees for debit card use than credit cards. Fees really bite into profit, especially for small purchases. Is this a small store? I’m willing to bet that they have never accepted credit cards, and would like to not accept debit cards, due to the processing fees. But they recently gave in and now accept debit cards because lots of people don’t carry cash. In the end, they will have to give in further and accept credit cards as well. Even though I usually do carry cash, I also use a credit card for lots of purchases. I never use a debit card. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/8 "2017-12-12T20:27:34Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > WAG but possibly because retailers have to pay juice to a credit card company (usually 3%) but not for cash taken out of a checking account, or at least not as much. > > The Woodmans Markets don’t take credit cards and their info says it’s to help keep their costs down. My guess, as well. Aldi used to be this way until not too long ago. Heck, even Costco wouldn’t take anything but American Express and debit cards until not too long ago, too. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/9 "2017-12-12T20:41:48Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > My guess, as well. Aldi used to be this way until not too long ago. Heck, even Costco wouldn’t take anything but American Express and debit cards until not too long ago, too. Now costco only takes visa. Visa gave them a better deal than AMEX so they switched. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/10 "2017-12-12T20:42:37Z")
arco/AMPM gas and mini marts quit taking any type of credit cards years ago… it got to the point that when Arco came out with a another try at gas card the company split in two … northern Cal is owned by Arco its self and southern Cal rights are owned by a franchised company and doesn’t take cards They say credit card processing places want 6-10 percent of the sales … There’s a few grocery store chains that say the same … Now some places like Costco and sams club used to have exclusive deals with amex or visa ect … ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/11 "2017-12-12T20:43:19Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > My guess, as well. Aldi used to be this way until not too long ago. Heck, even Costco wouldn’t take anything but American Express and debit cards until not too long ago, too. One of our regional grocery stores also only takes debit cards: WINCO. Also: Safeway charges 10 cents more per gallon of gasoline for using a credit card instead of debit. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/12 "2017-12-12T20:46:38Z")
actually ampm used to not charge you a fee if you used a bank of America debit card for a number of years … then is was 15 cents then a quarter now I think its 60 or 70 cents per transaction … ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/13 "2017-12-12T20:53:30Z")
I worked for awhile at a very small rural package store. The 2 things people got mad about the most was the fact we didn’t take any cards or checks, and we didn’t have milk for sale. I am not even kidding. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/14 "2017-12-12T20:58:25Z")
Thanks for the answers, all. I know a few small businesses which only take cash, but I’ve never known a business (and this liquor store is sizable) to only take debit and _not_ credit cards. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/15 "2017-12-12T22:23:15Z")
Whether debit or credit is cheaper depends on the transaction. Sometimes one is cheaper than the other. But **in the long run** , these stores find that debit is cheaper for them and the types of transactions they do. Also, I don’t know the answer to this, but a WAG - if there is any loss in communication and they cannot contact the card company, it seems that debit is safer to use? > [@wguy123](#): > > One of our regional grocery stores also only takes debit cards: WINCO. > > Also: Safeway charges 10 cents more per gallon of gasoline for using a credit card instead of debit. Came in to say Winco. They’re an extreme budget store (though good to shop at). I don’t go often but I would forget that they did this when trying to pay with a card. Depends what you mean by regional, they’re all over the west coast to Idaho and Arizona. And DFW and Oklahoma City for some reason. Several years back, the card companies forbade retailers from charging extra for a card - they could instead give a cash discount over the advertised price. I think they did away with this rule, though. > [@nightshadea](#): > > actually ampm used to not charge you a fee if you used a bank of America debit card for a number of years … then is was 15 cents then a quarter now I think its 60 or 70 cents per transaction … They’re franchised, so I think it’s up to the individual store? I don’t remember being charged on some occasions. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/16 "2017-12-12T22:45:00Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Also: Safeway charges 10 cents more per gallon of gasoline for using a credit card instead of debit. Technically, not true, I believe. They are precluded from doing that by their agreements with the credit card companies. However, what they CAN do, if memory serves me right, is discount the gasoline cost when you pay with cash. The net effect is much the same, of course. Big companies follow the credit contracts fairly precisely; small businesses often disregard them unless/until their noses are rubbed in them (with the threat of losing the ability to take credit cards from one of the companies!). That’s why some places have minimums for credit (not allowed!), or add special fees for use of a card (not allowed!). And if I’m not mistaken, if you are going to let your customers pay with a MasterCard or VISA debit/credit card, you can’t limit the transactions to just one or the other (I’ve not looked at the current credit card company agreement in a while). ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/17 "2017-12-12T22:45:18Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Depends what you mean by regional, they’re all over the west coast to Idaho and Arizona. And DFW and Oklahoma City for some reason. WINCO stands for WA, ID, NV, CA and OR…so I guess that’s a region. 😃 It sounds like they need to modify their name a bit. Maybe WINCOATO? ---
**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:** [December 12, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/18 "2017-12-12T22:50:15Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Technically, not true, I believe. They are precluded from doing that by their agreements with the credit card companies. However, what they CAN do, if memory serves me right, is discount the gasoline cost when you pay with cash. The net effect is much the same, of course. Not sure there is any difference there: Six one way, half-dozen the other. If it matters, this is the type of sign I have seen: [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/RaP4S85.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/s47J7) So, they are either charging 10 cents more per gallon to use a credit card or discounting it by 10 cents to use a debit card/cash. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/19 "2017-12-12T23:10:07Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Technically, not true, I believe. They are precluded from doing that by their agreements with the credit card companies. Depending on where you are, that [changed a few years ago](https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-surcharges-allowed-1281.php). It used to be, as you say, you couldn’t surcharge customers for using credit cards. But, the way around it was offering a cash or debit discount. Anyhow, that’s gone, as well as the restriction (that nobody followed anyway) against minimum charges for credit transactions. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290/20 "2017-12-12T23:20:55Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Technically, not true, I believe. They are precluded from doing that by their agreements with the credit card companies. However, what they CAN do, if memory serves me right, is discount the gasoline cost when you pay with cash. The net effect is much the same, of course. > > Big companies follow the credit contracts fairly precisely; small businesses often disregard them unless/until their noses are rubbed in them (with the threat of losing the ability to take credit cards from one of the companies!). That’s why some places have minimums for credit (not allowed!), or add special fees for use of a card (not allowed!). And if I’m not mistaken, if you are going to let your customers pay with a MasterCard or VISA debit/credit card, you can’t limit the transactions to just one or the other (I’ve not looked at the current credit card company agreement in a while). The Durbin Amendment to Dodd-Frank allowed merchants to offer incentives to pay cash/debit vs. credit, as well as letting merchants set a $10 minimum for credit card sales. > **[Durbin amendment | Background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durbin_amendment#Background)** > > Interchange fees or "debit card swipe fees" are paid to banks by acquirers for the privilege of accepting payment cards. Merchants and card-issuing banks have long fought over these fees. Prior to the Durbin amendment, card swipe fees were previously unregulated and averaged about 44 cents per transaction. > Merchants lobbied heavily for a rule to limit debit card swipe fees. They accomplished this when the Durbin amendment passed with the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation on July 21, 2010. ... [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-liquor-store-take-debit-cards-but-not-credit-cards/804290.md?page=2)