In reply to The Dark Knight.

I used to manage a loss prevention department for a large department store. Although you have to consider scale (mom & pop versus large department store), missing cash does not result in an obvious outcome. Tracking has to be conducted over time until enough evidence exists to prosecute (additional employee hours, surveillance equipment, etc).

A POS system has to be purchased regardless, so I don't see it as an offset for the recurring cost of armored carriers.

Processing payment cards has fees, but these fees cover the cost of maintaining global networks that are up 24/7/365 anywhere in the world, covering the cost of credit risk, etc. To expect these services for free is like saying any other product or service should be free.

The Durbin Amendment limits the cost of card transactions, but it doesn't limit the cost of what merchants can charge for their products. It's a dichotomy. Case in point, I was a at a coffee shop one time (not that there's any markup on coffee), but they wouldn't accept my debit card for the order (didn't have any cash on me). So I told them to throw in a $4.50 cookie (no markup on this either, of course). They still wouldn't accept it, so I walked out and took my business elsewhere.

There is always the option of not accepting payment cards. I've seen merchants have an ATM on site (another cash cost).