So then,  does this mean it will behoove us to have a credit card, just not use it much.  I have a credit card and it certainly comes in handy.  There is no way to keep a credit card and only pay the minimum payment.

This is a different kind of a comment—but it does involve the credit card industry, and businesses as well.

A couple of nights ago, on my way home from the library, I stopped into a DVD rental store located at 1716 1st Avenue (NYC)—We Deliver Videos. I noted that the store had a couple of DVDs I wanted to see—the kind you can’t rent at Blockbuster.

First, I will be very clear—I have NOT previously attempted to rent from this store. At the checkout, I pulled out my very valid ID, and they wanted my credit card, a credit card instead of a valid ID. I told the young woman that I did not have credit cards, that I had cut them up, so to speak, and did NOT intend to add to the wealth of those predatory companies. In addition, I intended to pay her cash for the rentals, and didn’t understand the necessity for a credit card that she would keep on file at their rental store.

Finally, I said, “Well, I guess I won’t be renting anything from your store, anytime soon!”—which, BTW, wasn’t exactly cheap. The man standing behind the other cash register commented, “Ma’m, you don’t need to be so hostile.”

This is the kind of independent store/business that I like to support whenever possible, but my money/cash does NOT fit into their rules. They require credit cards, even though their advertisement, online, states that they accept credit cards. Accepting credit cards and REQUIRING credit cards is NOT the same thing!

The credit cards and businesses, independent and corporate, play the same game with us. If you don’t have a credit card, a customer is NOT welcome!

I sure am glad all that is no longer possible.