As part of my ongoing efforts to find the most authentic croissant in Charlottesville, I drove from my home on Pantops downtown to the Albemarle Baking Company. Being a fan of their cakes and breads I was eager to try their croissant.
Unfortunately, I never got the chance. As I handed the cashier my check card I was told that they only take cash or check. Since I was short 90 cents cash, I left.
To the Albemarle Baking Company, and other small-minded businesses, listen up. You are in business for one reason: to make money. When a customer offers you money, you take it. That means you accept cash, checks, debit cards, check cards, and credit cards. If a customer offers to pay in gold bullion, you take it. Processing credit cards is too expensive, you say? Charge a fee. American Express way too expensive? Charge a higher fee.
Did I go to an ATM and return? Nope -- would've have been too much trouble. Besides, I don't like to reward bad business behavior. Instead, I am writing from Cafe Cubano, which takes plastic, and serves a wonderful fresh breakfast.
You see, Albemarle Baking Company, you not only lost one sale today, you lost many. I am one of a growing number of 21st century consumers that rarely carries cash. Knowing your restrictions, it is unlikely I will return, despite loving your breads and cakes.
I hope you succeed. I really do. One day I may even give your croissants free publicity right here on this blog. Of course, you would have to let me buy one first.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
7 comments:
The best thing that happened in Charlottesville was when Bodo's finally relented and started taking plastic. Made it so much easier to go there. For me as a consumer, makes it so much easier to keep track of expenses. So, I salute you.
Proglem is, credit card companies don't allow fees to be charged.
Sure they do. I occasionally am charged extra for using my Amex.
Technically, it is a violation of most (all?) merchant accounts to charge a fee for accepting a credit card. Sure, places do it, but they risk getting their credit card processing ability revoked. The only real solution is for a business to raise prices on everything to cover the credit card processing fees.
I think you are the one who is missing out, not ABC. They make the best breads in town, and I am glad they keep the costs as low as they can to the customer. It is worth the walk to an ATM machine.
It's true: they do a wonderful job. Best bread in town and really good cakes. Too bad they are constraining themselves by turning away customers with their payment policy.
as of april 09, ABC takes MC and visa
Post a Comment