[amscanne]

I’ve been told that for brick and mortar retail, credit cards are sometimes more desirable because you might have more than their fees in shrinkage with cash. Even if it’s not more, it might make those fees easier to eat. I think it depends a lot on the specifics of the business.

[lotsofpulp]

Debit cards can do the same job for basically no fee.

Credit card users, however, are likelier to spend more money, and that is why many retailers are hesitant to charge credit card users more than debit card users.

Edit: note that Target does give a 5% discount on everything you buy if you pay with your bank account tied to their debit Red Card, so some retailers do seem to be changing ways.

[amscanne]

I’m not sure which debit cards you’re referring to (e.g. Interac vs VISA debit) but AFAIK they all have fees, with possibly different structures, e.g. a fixed charge + lower percentage.

[lotsofpulp]

Sorry, I meant that the fees are so low it is a negligible cost in most cases.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/paymentsystems/regii-average-...

Usually 50 to 60 cents at most, but 30 cents or less most of the time. The variable component is only 0.05% most of the time.