EXPATS AGAIN

EXPATS AGAIN! Experiencing other cultures while enriching our global view.

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Munich, Germany
I am married to the love of my life and am finally able to shower him with all of the attention he deserves. I am now retired and living the life here in Europe. I am an American, he is an Australian, and this is our second overseas address. The first was Shanghai, China and now Munich, Germany. Come along and live the life with us as we continue our adventure of discovering all Europe has to offer.

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Saturday, September 19, 2009

"MONEY, MONEY, MONEY...IT'S A RICH MANS' WORLD"

Just read that the BP gas stations in our hometown are not accepting credit cards for gas. Dozens of stations reportedly are not allowing customers to swipe their credit cards . There isn't much more information than than that at the moment. I'm curious as to why they are insisting on cash. Don't get me wrong, I'm the biggest proponent of using cash and a diehard member of the , "If you don't have the money, you don't need to be buying it.," club. But there's something unAmerican about refusing the option of credit.


Now, in Germany, especially the small towns, it's quite common for a vendor to insist on cash. But I've never come across it in the U.S. To categorically deny the purchase of gasoline to people unless they pay in cash is a bit scary to me. Are things that bad that the gas companies must insist on cash? Isn't a debit card the same thing as cash? Are they being denied also? Has anyone come across this where you live?

2 comments:

Formerly known as Frau said...

Thats one thing about living in Germany I like the whole cash only concept until of coarse I'm somewhere without cash. I think once we go back to USA to live I will continue that cash only world.

Unknown said...

I agree with it too, as long as you can use your debit card...

The cash concept, well the stores are usually just owners who sell the gas. The gas companies are making the money and not the stores...

So yes it's very possible the stores are hard up for cash and can no longer afford to have a credit machine..

It's the corporation making the money, not the little guy....