| We may be nearing that time when all transactions | | | | exchange their purchases for the same or other items |
| are processed through the use of that ever useful | | | | subject to certain rules. |
| material called plastic. Name it, your automated teller | | | | On the other hand, even small businesses can benefit |
| machine uses plastic in the form of ATM cards; | | | | from accepting credit cards as payments. By allowing |
| drivers' licenses are made of plastic; most hotels have | | | | clients to purchase items through credit cards, the |
| plastic keys and the most important example without | | | | shops are encouraging customers to make outright |
| which most Americans would not survive-credit cards | | | | purchases. Most people do not carry cash so it is |
| made of plastic. | | | | more convenient for them if the shops they go to |
| The modern way of doing business has made credit | | | | accept credit card payments. Imagine the amount of |
| cards a must-have for every person. More and more | | | | sales that could be lost just because you do not |
| establishments are going for credit cards and are no | | | | accept credit card payments when it is the only way |
| longer accepting cash payments. | | | | the client is able to pay for his purchases. |
| Using credit cards both to accept payments and to | | | | The use of credit cards makes it easy for shops to |
| pay purchases is the common and practical choice for | | | | cash in on impulse buyers who can easily swipe their |
| most people because of the safety and convenience | | | | cards without thinking of the costs involved. It also |
| offered by credit cards. Unlike cash payments, credit | | | | serves as a guarantee for shop owners that the |
| card payments could not be the subject of holdups or | | | | purchases will be paid, as compared to accepting |
| robbery, except perhaps if the robbers are plastic | | | | personal checks from buyers. |
| collectors. | | | | However, shops must first have a merchant status or |
| Aside from being used as a substitute for money in | | | | accredited by the credit card companies before thy |
| actual shops, credit card is widely used in internet or | | | | can accept credit card payments. This can be easily |
| web-based shops to hasten online transactions. So | | | | done by calling up companies like American Express |
| why should an ordinary citizen opt for credit cards in | | | | and filling out some forms. |
| paying for his ordinary purchases? And why should | | | | For more common cards like Visa, shop owners have |
| establishments accept credit cards from their | | | | to set up a merchant account with a Visa affiliate |
| customers? | | | | bank. While banks do not really have a capital or |
| Ordinary citizens can benefit from using credit cards | | | | earnings limit before approving a merchant store, they |
| provided they know how to use their credit cards | | | | do however look into the length of time that the |
| wisely. As cash substitutes, credit cards can be used | | | | business has been operational. New businesses can |
| by people to purchase goods on credit. These plastics | | | | still apply and be approved but they have to look for |
| are a valuable tool for people who may not have | | | | banks that are less strict on this requirement. |
| enough cash to purchase necessary items or | | | | The process of getting merchant accreditation may be |
| highly-priced items. By using credit cards, they can buy | | | | a little complicated but establishments that really want |
| highly-priced items on installment basis. It is also one of | | | | to get that credit card market should give it a try. |
| the most efficient ways of making sure that they can | | | | |