Do some retailers not accept returns?

Use cash

AnswerCertainly, many do not accept credit cards. Generally for these reasons:

1) Credit Card Cos require both good credit from the one they issue the card to and the one that accepts it. Just like some people don't qualify for credit, some businesses do not qualify..for any number of reasons.

2) Accepting and processing Credit Cards costs money and requires accounting. The business pays a fee. The fee can vary, but especially if they have any problems addressed in #1 and need to use one of the more "special" processors, it can add up to a fair amount.

The fee is one reason why many Cos prefer you don't use American Express - it has the highest fee. Hence they will ask for MC/Visa or Discover.

The very fact that they may not accept/qualify to accept credit cards should alert you to be aware.

That all said, until fairly recently, about 1996, most supermarkets didn't accept credit cards! Basically, the mark up on much of what they sold was so small (although volume was very large), they couldn't afford the added cost.

AnswerYou would have to use the old fashioned credit card slider. It takes an imprint and you sign for it. They would call your bank these days and check for validity. Otherwise they will say "Sorry, Cash only"

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Often an unscrupulous retailer is trying to evade taxes of several types by only accepting cash. They can more easily choose not to report the transaction. If they do charge the customer sales tax, they can keep it for themselves. Or if they don't report the transaction and don't charge you tax, they still get to evade their year end Business Taxes and any other taxes that are based on the dollar amount of their sales. Sometimes you might notice they don't even ring the sale up if they are using a cash register. Or they can void the sale later to keep it 'off the books". This makes it easier for them to break een more laws by paying their employees cash without reporting it - "under the table".

I agree with the answer above that not accepting credit cards is a reason to be alert to what is going on with a particular merchant. They may not be around next week or next month if you want to return something. If they will cheat the government, they will cheat you, too.

AnswerLast I checked, the currency in the United States is still the Dollar Bill. Until the U.S. govt. changes that, nobody HAS to accept credit/debit cards! Just because a business does not accept cards does NOT mean they are "shady" or corrupt or in any way dishonest! That is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard. The above statement "Be aware" of businesses that don't accept, is offensive and completely undeserving! Like previously stated, businesses are charged a FEE for the customer to use a credit card. Not every business wants to be involved with credit card machines and any problems that go with them. Cash is fast and easy and is usually problem free! It is obvious that whomever wrote the above answers do not own their own business and probably are the kinds of people who charge a pack of gum to later pay excessive interest!

Wow, honestly I am shocked at the previous answer. No disrespect to anyone but, I have owned successful businesses for years. I currently own a "Business Casual" restaurant, CC's acceptance is a must with a PPA of $52.00. (per person average) I also owned a landscape / pressure washing / deck restoration business for years. I refused to accept CC's for the first few years. Wow, that was a mistake! I was reluctant due to fees etc. What I found was that I began giving discounts to customers who were willing to pay for services with CC's. I advertised the ability to accept CC's and my business increased by over 30% my first year of acceptance. Previously to that, rarely did I have customers ask to use cards, when they found out I was accepting them, they requested more services of larger values. You never know who isn't buying from you because they do not tell you. I never again had to chase my money or worry about being paid in a timely manner. ALL of my business accounts paid with CC's and for that I was truly grateful especially seeing that my 30 day policy for payments at times took much longer. My lesson, there is a reason companies take CC's and you never know the business you may be losing if you don't. Times have definitely changed! ONE OTHER THING... JUST BOOKED A CONDO FOR RENT IN Florida FOR A TRIP... WANTED TO BOOK ELSEWHERE INITIALLY AND THE LADY DIDN'T ACCEPT CC'S ONLY CASH OR CHECK. SHE LOST OUT ON MY 4 DAY BOOKING OF $1300.00 BECAUSE OF THIS, I WENT ELSEWHERE. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT BUSINESSES THAT DO NOT TAKE CARDS, AVERAGE CONSUMERS QUESTION THE LONGEVITY AS WELL AS THE INTEGRITY OF THE BUSINESS. I FIND THIS SAD PERSONALLY BUT I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.