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Plastic's now off the menu
By SELIM ALGAR
Last Updated: 5:45 AM, August 16, 2010
Posted: 1:33 AM, August 16, 2010

Cash is king at local restaurants and bars struggling with a tight economy and small profit margins.

To avoid paying credit-card fees and -- shhh -- maybe fudge income numbers for the tax collector -- some merchants are treating credit cards as if they aren't worth the recycled plastic they're made of. In those places, cold cash is the only way to buy a hot meal.

Those in the know say the trend is growing.

"I think there are obvious advantages, both legal and illegal, with the cash-only approach," said Nick Fauchald, editor in chief of the popular foodie Web site Tasting Table.

Veteran restaurant consultant Michael Whiteman said: "It definitely feels like it's more of an accepted practice now. You notice it more and more. When times get tough, restaurateurs look to cut costs."

One Brooklyn cash-only restaurant owner estimated that 5 percent of his gross sales had been going to the card companies.

"The fees the card companies charge hurt the smaller venue," the owner said. "But it's a gamble. You are going to annoy some customers."...................>>>>..................>>>>.................http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/plastic_now_off_the_menu_MysBpYobRgR3wD1fvCv0WO

duh....it's the only way to keep out the government......

....TRADE WILL ALWAYS HAPPEN......it's just that there are powers that want control over it.......but a bigger problem is tipping.....very difficult to tip each
server seprately when only using debit/credit........the fees are only a small portion of the inconvenience......