Is it normal for vendors to not accept credit cards?

Niibaby - that's exactly the point that I was trying to make!

I personally wouldn't do business with any vendor that didn't take cards. I'm actually surprised when I get paper checks in the mail...as I got rid of my checkbook years ago...and have only written a few since the early 1990's.

Yeah, card transaction fees cost my business money, but it's a percentage...not a monthly fee for me...so it's relative. It doesn't matter how small the business is...it won't cost them any more or any less. They just have to find the right card service.

Of course, I still love checks and cash, because there's no fees. But I still have to make the deposits and sometimes have clients bounce checks, so that's a cost in time and money.

Also, be cautious of vendors that charge you a fee for using a card. It may be against the law in your area. A discount for paying in cash is a way they can try to avoid fees, but it may also mean they're not paying sales tax either...in which you may also want to check your local laws. If they get busted....

...you might lose your vendor.

Nothing wrong with using cards...use CHECK cards...and avoid using credit cards completely, unless you know you can pay them off every month. Some check cards offer generous cash back awards, etc.

The only reason I've kept cash in my pocket for the past 10-20 years is mostly to tip service workers (valets at weddings, etc), and for the little Vietnamese cafes in my neighborhood who only take cash...which is understandable when your lunch only cost $3. lol

Good luck!

We take credit cards for amounts over $10, but our services are also products. A musician I would not expect to be able to take a cc. These are individuals who have talents, not necessarily a "business" or Tax ID holder. This would make it very difficult to accept a cc payment. Do they offer paypal, though? Anyone can set up a paypal account and accept payments through it.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a credit card...A debit card would leave the same trail! And as far as contracts I think we all know my thoughts on them! If a company just all of a suden decides to move and you have no clue where they went or a contact number that contract won't get you much. But if you paid with a credit card or debit card you then have some way to dispute the transaction.

@Rusty - I believe it is against most merchant agreements with the credit card companies to charge a fee for paying by credit card.

It's a lot easier to accept credit card payments now than it used to be with smartphone apps and other convenient ways to process the payment. If you have an iPhone or a Blackberry you can get a merchant account and accept credit cards. I would rather lose 2 or 3% and know I'm getting the money when they charge is accepted, than risk a check bouncing.

Even if you use cash, why wouldn't you have a paper trail? That's what receipts *and* contracts are for, right? If they don't issue you one, which is of course kinda shady, maybe you shouldn't be doing business with them anyway. :X If one is still adamant about using a card, there's always the option of having a check card (maybe tied to a separate checking account just for the wedding).

My photog and all my vendors took cash/check. We only paid the photog 1/2 up front, the video guy had a small deposit and all the other vendors not until the wedding day and no upfront deposit as we booked through the wedding planner. (the vendors in Mexico I can understand why they prefer cash). The photographer, maybe he didn't want to pay the extra fee, which I don't blame him. The Villa we also paid by check as they were going to pass along the percentage to us to paid with CC and that would have over $500!

Most of my vendors took CC. The cake shop didn't (small, family owned place) and either does the officiant (which I expected). The photographer accepted it, but charged me a small fee. The venue, dress, flowers, all accepted CC.

Ummm... LOL is back on you! If you pay off the credit card before then end of the billing period, you won't pay anything in interested. Don't incorrectly assume that people who buy everything with credit cards are doing so because the don't have the money at the time of purchase. I buy EVERYTHING with a credit card and then pay off my balance. I NEVER, EVER pay interest. Cards are good to use because they allow you to earn rewards or points, not to mention the protection they offer.