When I started a gratitude journal I never asked the question of what is gratitude. Is it simply being happy for the things you have? Counting blessings, waking up with a prayer in your heart and a smile on your lips, or is it something more? Can I be grateful for some of my negative qualities?
The other day I wanted to get some BBQ, but as I was walking up to the restaurant the owner was hanging up a sign telling everyone that they would have to pay a 3% credit card processing fee. This used to upset me in the year 2010 and it upsets me even more in 2025. It makes me want to go to those places and pay with a check or a big bag of pennies. I don’t know where people get off nickel and diming customers like that in the year 2025, and if they do I want a carbon copy of my credit card transaction.
Should I feel grateful that I saved money by not eating at that restaurant and instead went home and made a couple hot dogs? Can I be thankful for my stubborn, bullheaded nature? That way back in the early 2000’s I swore I wouldn’t do business with anyone that charges a credit card processing fee and for the most part I have stuck with it? I am grateful I saved some money, but I will miss the ability to eat BBQ. Even if I have cash or do want to be a jerk and pay by check or with a bag of pennies. I don’t reward bad behavior.
You opened a business in the year 2025. Most people are going to pay with credit card. It is the cost of doing business. Work it into your prices. Trust me. People are a lot less likely to notice a $0.03 on the dollar increase than they are a big sign that says we’d prefer not to take your money unless you pay the way we want you to.
The number one rule of business is all rules are the number one rule. The number one rule of business is never put a barrier between yourself and getting paid, and a credit card processing fee is exactly that. Don’t charge me to give you money. You aren’t Western Union.
I don’t know if I should feel grateful I am this way. I will cut off my nose to spite my face. It is my nature. Spite might not be one of the seven deadly sins but it can lead to a lot of them. I have my principals and one of them is don’t ef me over and that is exactly what I feel a credit card processing fee is. As a business expenses should be baked into the prices, and it is that simple.
David Huzzard Writes 