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A good friend of mine recently ate at a local Sonic and her card was taken inside to be swiped. 4 weeks later, when she received her statement, her card had been charged 3 times in different amounts. Her number had been written down by an employee, presumeably so they could pay other customer's totals, and then pocket the cash. The store refunded her money, but told her it happens fairly frequently at several of the stores. I'm not wanting to slam on anyone here, just wanted to make you guys aware that you might want to just pay with cash.
There is no promise of tomorrow. Make today all that it can be.
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Many years ago an instructor in security at UNA informed a group I was in to pay with cash at all restaurants if possible. This is the place you are most likely to have your credit card number or identity stolen. Some employees even obtained readers to steal your info. He also said to check those 0's in your bill- or any extra digits! Remember that old place value the teacher talked about!
I had this happen to me at Sonic in Muscle Shoals. I was at the drive thru and the card reader at the window was out of service. I handed my card to the lady at the window and when I got ready to drive off, I had someone else's card and they had mine. I did get my card back, but no thanks to Sonic. I wrote down the lady's name and called everyone in the phone book and finally got up with her. Of course, I left her card at Sonic just in case she realized and came back for it. I met up with her back at SOnic to get my card. Before she left with my card though, there were a total of three charges on my card, none of which were mine.
I have had three unauthorized charges on my cards in the last month. All of them were several hundred dollars each. I suspect that it is the same restaurant but I am not 100% sure. Needless to say, I will only be using cash from now on at that place. If it's that resaturant, it's really frustrating that they would treat a repeat customer like that.
You do realize if you have six credit cards that require a $15 month minimum payment that you can live quite well on $1080 a year if you do not plan to pay the credit cads off. BTW, I am a 30 day payer, but I did the math! I agree that I cannot fathom using a credit card at a fast food restarant. But you all know I'm old!
I used my credit card everywhere.... Fast food, gas stations, you name it. I carry very little cash and what cash I have in my pocket lasts for weeks on end. And I can add up, at the end of each month, how much I have spent on fast food, as well as eating out, over the past month (thats a scary thing to do, believe me.)

Then I make one big payment at the end of the month to pay it all off. Its the same as using cash everywhere, if you have respect for the card itself....

Its the 'minimum monthly payment' folks that get themselves in trouble using credit cards for necessities....

Jeepin'
quote:
Originally posted by David L.:
I'm just amazed that people use credit cards at fast food restaurants.



Most people are likely using debt cards, not credit. Most fast food places run it as credit as most debt cards will allow you to do up to 20-25 dollars without a signature.

Also, for what it's worth, you are better protected if you use the card as Credit instead of Debt. You only have to worry about $50 of liability, but with debt transactions you have to notify your bank within two days of the transaction. People don't realize that the visa/mastercard zero liability rules only apply if it's a pinless transaction, which is kind or rare.

Pretty much everyone except for the smallest banks offer online banking, so there is no excuse for not knowing when your card has been compromised. just get in the habit of logging in to see if everything is OK or better yet make sure your cellphone is in your bank's notification list so if they detect possible fraud you'll get the call immediately wherever you are.
quote:
Originally posted by Lets Go Jeepin':
I used my credit card everywhere.... Fast food, gas stations, you name it. I carry very little cash and what cash I have in my pocket lasts for weeks on end. And I can add up, at the end of each month, how much I have spent on fast food, as well as eating out, over the past month (thats a scary thing to do, believe me.)

Then I make one big payment at the end of the month to pay it all off. Its the same as using cash everywhere, if you have respect for the card itself....

Its the 'minimum monthly payment' folks that get themselves in trouble using credit cards for necessities....

Jeepin'


No, cash is the same as cash. What does Mastercard want at the end of the month...cash. I guarantee you pay for the convenience of being able to add up how much you spend and making one big payment.

You think Sonic, Krystals, and McDonalds etc. started accepting credit cards and paying processing fees as a customer convenience? No. They do it because they know you can spend more money. Their main objective is to get as much of your money as possible, and with a credit card the potential is unlimited.

If you went to Sonic with $10 and no credit card, your spending limit is $10. But, if you went to Sonic with a credit card and no cash, your spending limit is whatever you decide. "Man that banana split sure looks good. Lucky for me I've got this credit card."
quote:
Originally posted by midknightrider:
quote:
Originally posted by Lets Go Jeepin':
I used my credit card everywhere.... Fast food, gas stations, you name it. I carry very little cash and what cash I have in my pocket lasts for weeks on end. And I can add up, at the end of each month, how much I have spent on fast food, as well as eating out, over the past month (thats a scary thing to do, believe me.)

Then I make one big payment at the end of the month to pay it all off. Its the same as using cash everywhere, if you have respect for the card itself....

Its the 'minimum monthly payment' folks that get themselves in trouble using credit cards for necessities....

Jeepin'


No, cash is the same as cash. What does Mastercard want at the end of the month...cash. I guarantee you pay for the convenience of being able to add up how much you spend and making one big payment.

You think Sonic, Krystals, and McDonalds etc. started accepting credit cards and paying processing fees as a customer convenience? No. They do it because they know you can spend more money. Their main objective is to get as much of your money as possible, and with a credit card the potential is unlimited.

If you went to Sonic with $10 and no credit card, your spending limit is $10. But, if you went to Sonic with a credit card and no cash, your spending limit is whatever you decide. "Man that banana split sure looks good. Lucky for me I've got this credit card."



Thats exactly what happens most of the time. people spend more than their allowance so to speak. Nothing but cash is the same as cash.
quote:
Originally posted by midknightrider:

No, cash is the same as cash. What does Mastercard want at the end of the month...cash. I guarantee you pay for the convenience of being able to add up how much you spend and making one big payment.

You think Sonic, Krystals, and McDonalds etc. started accepting credit cards and paying processing fees as a customer convenience? No. They do it because they know you can spend more money. Their main objective is to get as much of your money as possible, and with a credit card the potential is unlimited.


I dont send VISA cash at the end of the month, I send them a check (actually, now I send them a bank draft through online banking.) A check is not cash either, now, is it? I dont pay one dime for the convenience, except in the increased cost at the merchant (Im sure they offset credit card fees through increased cost). As long as the 'cash' paying customer continues to pay the same amount as I do with my card, it costs me no more. Very few places have the 'cash' price and 'credit' price like the old gas stations. I dont pay an annual fee, I dont pay any finance charges, my card is completely fee free for me. Thats one benefit of an excellent (top 1% of the nation) credit score, which is earned through fiscal responsibility.

quote:


If you went to Sonic with $10 and no credit card, your spending limit is $10. But, if you went to Sonic with a credit card and no cash, your spending limit is whatever you decide. "Man that banana split sure looks good. Lucky for me I've got this credit card."


Wrong. I know my limits because I was brought up to take responsibility for my finances. If I have $10.00 to eat on, thats what I put on my card. In my budget (see, thats were many folks fail today, inability to budget), I know what I can spend each month and thats what I spend. If I didnt have but $10.00 left to spend at Mcdonalds, thats all I would put on the card. Lack of Fiscal Responsibility causes problems with credit cards, not the other way around. Dont get me wrong, credit card companies take advantage of people, no question about it. But if we, as a nation, were fiscally responsible for ourselves, then credit card companies would have very few people to take advantage of.

Jeepin'
quote:
Originally posted by Lets Go Jeepin':
quote:
Originally posted by midknightrider:

No, cash is the same as cash. What does Mastercard want at the end of the month...cash. I guarantee you pay for the convenience of being able to add up how much you spend and making one big payment.

You think Sonic, Krystals, and McDonalds etc. started accepting credit cards and paying processing fees as a customer convenience? No. They do it because they know you can spend more money. Their main objective is to get as much of your money as possible, and with a credit card the potential is unlimited.


I dont send VISA cash at the end of the month, I send them a check (actually, now I send them a bank draft through online banking.) A check is not cash either, now, is it? I dont pay one dime for the convenience, except in the increased cost at the merchant (Im sure they offset credit card fees through increased cost). As long as the 'cash' paying customer continues to pay the same amount as I do with my card, it costs me no more. Very few places have the 'cash' price and 'credit' price like the old gas stations. I dont pay an annual fee, I dont pay any finance charges, my card is completely fee free for me. Thats one benefit of an excellent (top 1% of the nation) credit score, which is earned through fiscal responsibility.

quote:


If you went to Sonic with $10 and no credit card, your spending limit is $10. But, if you went to Sonic with a credit card and no cash, your spending limit is whatever you decide. "Man that banana split sure looks good. Lucky for me I've got this credit card."


Wrong. I know my limits because I was brought up to take responsibility for my finances. If I have $10.00 to eat on, thats what I put on my card. In my budget (see, thats were many folks fail today, inability to budget), I know what I can spend each month and thats what I spend. If I didnt have but $10.00 left to spend at Mcdonalds, thats all I would put on the card. Lack of Fiscal Responsibility causes problems with credit cards, not the other way around. Dont get me wrong, credit card companies take advantage of people, no question about it. But if we, as a nation, were fiscally responsible for ourselves, then credit card companies would have very few people to take advantage of.

Jeepin'


Worth reading again.

Ditto, Jeepin’. From the use of the credit card to bank drafts on the “due date” [up to 30 days free money].

Plus, if you use a no-fee credit card that gives cash rewards, you get paid for spending the money you have to spend.

Every challenge [both or all 3 of them] I have made on my credit cards over 40+ years of use have been resolved in my favor including a purchase in Turkey.

If some of you are having problems with cards at a "local" business, rather than convert to cash, why not take you business elsewhere?
quote:
Originally posted by budsfarm:

Plus, if you use a no-fee credit card that gives cash rewards, you get paid for spending the money you have to spend.



Yes, I get 1% cash back in a 'points system.' So, once every year or so I 'cash out' my points for a $500.00 or so on a VISA debit card. Its great. I have many of my bills 'auto pay' to the card (comcast, at&t wireless, insurance, etc) so that I can get points on all of them. As long as I pay the full amount due each month, I'm charged no fees.

And people can say what they want about my financial situation, I got here through hard work and planning (budgeting). I lived off of 20,000 a year or less (many times much less) until I was almost 30, but I lived within my means and kept my credit clean. In the last 5 years or so Im beginning to see some payback for the lean years.

Between the 'entitled' attitude much of our youth have, and the lack of education regarding economics and financial planning, many people get themselves deep into trouble before they realize that they are, then spend years bailing themselves out and starting over.

Jeepin'
Last edited by Lets Go Jeepin'
quote:
Originally posted by WH:
Its funny how Jeepin' has this extreme desire to be Mr right. Big Grin
The kicker is when Budsfarm trys to help out his "family' member, with 'thar ye go".
b50m will probably be backing him up next. Roll Eyes


What's wrong with having the good sense to budget?
I don't use credit cards, have no bills except a house payment, I don't buy unless I can pay cash, (which sometimes means using my debit card) & know where every dollar is going.
What does that make me since I'm not a "family" member?
Since I agree with Jeepin', I'll give one of Buds "thar ye go's" too.

Maybe you're one of those people that's deep in debt & miserable?
quote:
Originally posted by semiannualchick:
quote:
Originally posted by WH:
Its funny how Jeepin' has this extreme desire to be Mr right. Big Grin
The kicker is when Budsfarm trys to help out his "family' member, with 'thar ye go".
b50m will probably be backing him up next. Roll Eyes


What's wrong with having the good sense to budget?
I don't use credit cards, have no bills except a house payment, I don't buy unless I can pay cash, (which sometimes means using my debit card) & know where every dollar is going.
What does that make me since I'm not a "family" member?
Since I agree with Jeepin', I'll give one of Buds "thar ye go's" too.

Maybe you're one of those people that's deep in debt & miserable?


Thar ye go, WH. Just for you.
quote:
Originally posted by Lets Go Jeepin':
quote:
Originally posted by midknightrider:

No, cash is the same as cash. What does Mastercard want at the end of the month...cash. I guarantee you pay for the convenience of being able to add up how much you spend and making one big payment.

You think Sonic, Krystals, and McDonalds etc. started accepting credit cards and paying processing fees as a customer convenience? No. They do it because they know you can spend more money. Their main objective is to get as much of your money as possible, and with a credit card the potential is unlimited.


I dont send VISA cash at the end of the month, I send them a check (actually, now I send them a bank draft through online banking.) A check is not cash either, now, is it? I dont pay one dime for the convenience, except in the increased cost at the merchant (Im sure they offset credit card fees through increased cost). As long as the 'cash' paying customer continues to pay the same amount as I do with my card, it costs me no more. Very few places have the 'cash' price and 'credit' price like the old gas stations. I dont pay an annual fee, I dont pay any finance charges, my card is completely fee free for me. Thats one benefit of an excellent (top 1% of the nation) credit score, which is earned through fiscal responsibility.

quote:


If you went to Sonic with $10 and no credit card, your spending limit is $10. But, if you went to Sonic with a credit card and no cash, your spending limit is whatever you decide. "Man that banana split sure looks good. Lucky for me I've got this credit card."


Wrong. I know my limits because I was brought up to take responsibility for my finances. If I have $10.00 to eat on, thats what I put on my card. In my budget (see, thats were many folks fail today, inability to budget), I know what I can spend each month and thats what I spend. If I didnt have but $10.00 left to spend at Mcdonalds, thats all I would put on the card. Lack of Fiscal Responsibility causes problems with credit cards, not the other way around. Dont get me wrong, credit card companies take advantage of people, no question about it. But if we, as a nation, were fiscally responsible for ourselves, then credit card companies would have very few people to take advantage of.

Jeepin'


Since you are fiscally responsible, I can only conclude by your statement "a check is not cash" that you must be heavily into semantics. You're right, a $100 check is not exactly the same thing as a stack of dollar bills. But try this...next month send VISA a check without depositing any cash in the bank and see what happens.

There's more than one way to pay for this convenience. It's been well documented, by consumer groups and credit card companies, that someone who shops with a credit card tends to spend more money than someone who shops with cash. Now, you may be fiscally responsible and
have a budget you stick too and that's great, but you'd be the exception. Credit card companies don't just give cards to fiscally responsible people. They give them to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that's living. Now, is everybody who has a credit card irresponsible? No, of course not. No more than everybody that has a drink is an alcoholic. A person can be fiscally irresponsible with or without a credit card, but I would wager that the majority of fiscally irresponsible people do have a credit card. Credit cards may not cause the problem of fiscal irresponsibility, but they certainly exacerbate it. The longer someone plays with fire, the more likely they'll get burned.

I don't think it's a good idea to buy anything on credit if it can be helped. But I really don't think it's a good idea to buy a hamburger on credit. The purpose of this thread seemed to be how to keep people that use their credit card at Sonic from being ripped off. I was giving them an alternative idea... don't use a credit card to buy a hamburger. Of course this is JMO, you should continue to handle your finances however you see fit, and I'll do the same.

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