Stop paying with cash: Here’s why retailers prefer you pay with debit or credit cards

Shopping is an American pastime with the average person visiting stores 213 times per year according to a Capitol One Shopping analysis. However, while most of us may not realize it, there are some seemingly harmless habits that irritate retail employees.

Although that shopping trip may be one’s relax time, some people forget when visiting a store that for the people that are there to help it’s actually their working time explained former gift-shop employee Scott Eldridge to Reader’s Digest. He said that “people sometimes can forget their manners when shopping,” and that “some things make our jobs harder, but some things can come off really rude.”

Keep your cash in your pocket say retailers

One of the words of wisdom from financial experts for those looking to budget their money better is to pay with cash. The idea behind it is simple, that you see the money that you are forking out so you are more conscious about how much you are spending.

However, paying with cash can make the life of cashiers more difficult as it takes longer and errors can be made when processing the transaction. Especially if you hand over a wad of crumpled up bills and an assortment of coins. Not to mention that they can carry germs.

Retailers prefer that you pay with a debit, credit card or contactless payment methods in order to streamline transactions and it is easier for bookkeeping at the end of the day. But if you do have to pay with cash, good manners dictate that you present your bills and coins in a neat and organized fashion and preferably in good condition.

Other shopping etiquette that you should be aware of

Remember that when you are in a store, you’re not at home, nor in a private space. No one wants to hear the conversations you are having with whomever it may be on your phone. If you must talk to someone, take it outside or someplace where you aren’t disturbing the store employees and other shoppers.

Also, unless you know that your animal friend is welcome, leave them at home.

Thirsty or hungry? Find the water fountain or head to the food court, a restaurant or your car. It really irks clerks when you walk around the store snacking or sipping on your drink while shopping, despite a “No food or drink” sign.

Just like cash can have germs, so too can your own hands. So don’t go dipping your fingers into samples. Don’t see a make-up applicator or toothpick? Ask for one, and dispose of it properly after you’ve used it.

While stores will take returns within a certain number of days, if you’ve been using the product, such as a beauty product but find that it irritates your skin, it can leave clerks a bit incredulous if you return it half used as it cannot be sold again. If you know that you have sensitive skin, they will happily give you a sample to try to avoid seeing you a couple weeks later hat in hand.

When pulling things off the shelf, retail workers would be grateful if you would put it back the way and where you found it. Don’t just abandon items randomly around a store. And if it’s a piece of clothing that was neatly folded, do your best to make it, and the pile that you pulled it out of, look decent. You can also hand it to an employee, apologize for an inconvenience, so that they can see that it is taken care of properly.

Additionally, if you cannot find the exact item that you are looking for, ask the clerk if they have it in stock. If they tell you it doesn’t show up in their inventory, believe them and don’t ask them to “go check in the back,” unless you want the look of death. You can always ask if it’s in another store or look for it yourself online.

Speaking of not wasting a worker’s time. If you are going to take up a store employee’s time, do so with the intention of making a purchase. If it is out of your price range, be honest, but don’t go taking a picture of it so you can buy it somewhere else or post it on social media.

Cashing in on a free service? There is no such thing as a free lunch. That employee is dedicating their time to you, so be polite and at least buy something.

And don’t just drop in for some service and expect that there will be availability to attend to you. Call ahead and make an appointment.

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