Village Kitchen

[dpg]

I've stopped eating at the VK maybe two years now because of their "plastic" policy. Yup I know me not going there isn't going to change the course of rivers I get that. C'mon it's 2020 already and 99.9999% of the population expects to be able to use plastic if they want too. Center Harbor Diner has begun the same policy and I also used to be a regular there... Well I'll survive as long as there is someplace around willing to take my Debit card.

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by dpg

I've stopped eating at the VK maybe two years now because of their "plastic" policy. Yup I know me not going there isn't going to change the course of rivers I get that. C'mon it's 2020 already and 99.9999% of the population expects to be able to use plastic if they want too. Center Harbor Diner has begun the same policy and I also used to be a regular there... Well I'll survive as long as there is someplace around willing to take my Debit card.

It IS aggravating that VK does not accept plastic and I've had issues with their ATM too. I don't understand the big deal. I'm sure customers would be happy to another 3% for the convenience.

[tis]

Really? You can't live without plastic occasionally??

[rsmlp]

Originally Posted by tis

Really? You can't live without plastic occasionally??

No, of course we can and we will continue to go to VK. Love the place. My point is it would be MORE convenient if they accepted plastic and I would think that restaurants would want every easy convenience for their customers-now more than ever.

[TheTimeTraveler]

Their "Plastic Policy" is what it is. The sad part is that the owner doesn't seem to recognize that his business would do substantially better if he did accept plastic.

I have a friend who has a business and when he decided to finally accept plastic his business (and income) showed a large increase....

Also, the close out at the end of the day is very easy; much less cash to count!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Their "Plastic Policy" is what it is. The sad part is that the owner doesn't seem to recognize that his business would do substantially better if he did accept plastic.

I have a friend who has a business and when he decided to finally accept plastic his business (and income) showed a large increase....

Also, the close out at the end of the day is very easy; much less cash to count!

Lines out the door many weekend mornings... I think Bob understands business and how to run his. There is an ATM there

[Descant]

I once worked at a business that gave a 5% discount for cash or checks. Their receivables plummeted from many thousands to negligible within weeks. For a small business, you can't pay bills with receivables. You can take cash to the bank.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

During this pandemic, when many small businesses are destined to close for good, I think it’s pathetic to be grousing over having to pay cash instead of credit card. It’s just no big deal, driving up to your nearest ATM for cash.....or in the case of the VK, there’s an ATM right there. So.....in the words of the late Ann Landers....”kwitcherbitchin’!”

[FlyingScot]

My Mom says "We all have our foibles." Forget your logic or brilliant business insights for just a sec. If a guy who makes great food at great prices in a homey, friendly place doesn't like plastic, maybe we should just be grateful for what is done so well.

[Susie Cougar]

Although I have not been to the Village Kitchen for many years now, only because I have not been up there, it was a place that I went to often.
During the tourist season, many different age groups go there. But I have to believe that the average age of his regular year-round customers is even older than I am. And this is a very frugal group.They still talk about the Great Depression. The prices that he charges are so much lower than other restaurants in the area and I think he would offend his most valuable customer base if he were to raise prices because he was pressured to use plastic, to make it easier for some other customers.

As others have said, there is an ATM machine on the premises and they will accept a check. Things may be different in 10 years from now. Get over it!

[tummyman]

If cash is such an issue, bring your checkbook. They gladly accept checks. We do it all the time at VK without any issues at all. I just don't cary cash...pay for everything using my rewards card where I earn cash back, but for VK, I just write a check. Problem solved. This is a great business and the no credit card issue is a non event from my standpoint. From what I see of their clientele, no credit card doesn't seem to discourage a lot. Eat up....the food is great and the workers are outstanding !!!

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Their "Plastic Policy" is what it is. The sad part is that the owner doesn't seem to recognize that his business would do substantially better if he did accept plastic.

I have a friend who has a business and when he decided to finally accept plastic his business (and income) showed a large increase....

Also, the close out at the end of the day is very easy; much less cash to count!

How do you know he would get more business? In normal conditions the place is always full. Additionally how do you know that he hadn’t did an analysis between increased business and card processing fees and the additional cost wouldn’t justify additional business. Remember if he accepted them not only would need people come and there would be a fee existing customers would probably switch also so the processing fees would increase tremendously.

I’m not saying this is how it could work for all businesses but in this case it could be the financially sound decision for VK

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[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by tis

Really? You can't live without plastic occasionally??

That has nothing to do with it.

The issue is, unless you read all the fine print BEFORE dining at such an establishment, they will take you for 10+% by the time you leave!

Some establishments that "do not take CC" will offer an ATM machine ... INSIDE the establishment! That convenient machine will charge you about 5% "convenience fee"! The owner either owns or collects a percentage of that PROFIT! The workers get nothing (except the smaller tip) because people do not have unlimited funds to pay 5% extra to the owner because they refuse to take other forms of payment.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

That has nothing to do with it.

The issue is, unless you read all the fine print BEFORE dining at such an establishment, they will take you for 10+% by the time you leave!

Some establishments that "do not take CC" will offer an ATM machine ... INSIDE the establishment! That convenient machine will charge you about 5% "convenience fee"! The owner either owns or collects a percentage of that PROFIT! The workers get nothing (except the smaller tip) because people do not have unlimited funds to pay 5% extra to the owner because they refuse to take other forms of payment.

Outdoor, your rant is unbelievable and disgraceful! The people who go to the VK know before they go that they will need to pay with cash or check, and they do not care one bit! The ATM inside is a convenience for the customers, not a moneymaker for the owner, and to insinuate otherwise is insulting. Do yourself a favor and go for an attitude adjustment.

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

The issue is, unless you read all the fine print BEFORE dining at such an establishment, they will take you for 10+% by the time you leave!.

What "fine print" are you talking about?

How do you arrive at the ten percent figure?

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

That has nothing to do with it.

The issue is, unless you read all the fine print BEFORE dining at such an establishment, they will take you for 10+% by the time you leave!

Some establishments that "do not take CC" will offer an ATM machine ... INSIDE the establishment! That convenient machine will charge you about 5% "convenience fee"! The owner either owns or collects a percentage of that PROFIT! The workers get nothing (except the smaller tip) because people do not have unlimited funds to pay 5% extra to the owner because they refuse to take other forms of payment.

Wow I couldn’t disagree more with all of your assertions. It’s not even worth it to list them individually and point out how wrong you are.

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[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

That has nothing to do with it.

The issue is, unless you read all the fine print BEFORE dining at such an establishment, they will take you for 10+% by the time you leave!

Some establishments that "do not take CC" will offer an ATM machine ... INSIDE the establishment! That convenient machine will charge you about 5% "convenience fee"! The owner either owns or collects a percentage of that PROFIT! The workers get nothing (except the smaller tip) because people do not have unlimited funds to pay 5% extra to the owner because they refuse to take other forms of payment.

Completely uncalled for. Whatever you might think of VK, it's pretty obvious that they are doing their best to deliver good value.

[TCC]

We love the Village Kitchen. The "no credit cards" policy is just part of its wonderful, unique character. For those few who find it an inconvenience, there are other good dining establishments that will accommodate them.

An all too common problem in northern New England is that certain folks from "away" visit (or worse still, move into) small communities attracted by their obvious charm but then start demanding what they consider "just a few small, common sense changes" reflecting life in their out-of-state homes. Communities that acede to those demands ultimately lose the character that made them charming in the first place. We've seen this happen far too many times.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by TCC

An all too common problem in northern New England is that certain folks from "away" visit (or worse still, move into) small communities attracted by their obvious charm but then start demanding what they consider "just a few small, common sense changes" reflecting life in their out-of-state homes. Communities that acede to those demands ultimately lose the character that made them charming in the first place. We've seen this happen far too many times.

Yes!

Plus the VK is great on the flip side of this equation. People who are from "away" never get a whiff of feeling like outsiders or less welcome than the locals.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

That has nothing to do with it.

The issue is, unless you read all the fine print BEFORE dining at such an establishment, they will take you for 10+% by the time you leave!

Some establishments that "do not take CC" will offer an ATM machine ... INSIDE the establishment! That convenient machine will charge you about 5% "convenience fee"! The owner either owns or collects a percentage of that PROFIT! The workers get nothing (except the smaller tip) because people do not have unlimited funds to pay 5% extra to the owner because they refuse to take other forms of payment.

Hi Outdoorsman....understand your disappointment and realize we might be busier taking plastic. But just to set the record straight, when we installed the ATM I asked the installer to keep the rate down since we did not want any commissions. I believe it is 2.5 at this time. It is strictly for customer convenience and we've never taken any commissions.
We considered taking plastic once and had a meeting about it and wait staff was totally against it. They much prefer to get cash tips in person.
Last reason is that we save nearly 30K annually in fee's which allows us to keep our prices down.
We realize that we're behind the times and some day we'll probably be taking CC, phones aps and other electronic payment but for now it works for us.

[tis]

You are right. We like Sam and we will always stand up and cheer for him. He has had a very successful business for a very long time and knows what he's doing. I don't know if it's still true with Covid, but I knew people that traveled up there every night from Wolfeboro to get the great value on his meals! I think his business plan has been his success so why should he change it? After all, you can't please everybody.

[Billy Bob]

The issue today is that cash transactions are a added touch point that a lot of people , including myself, avoid . Right now I think I have the same bills in my wallet I had in March. Eliminating the transfer of germs with plastic that in most cases today never leaves my hand seems easy.
I can understand the help wanting to stick with cash , taxes and instant use of their money .
That said , at this point in the lifeline of the pandemic installing the charging system to help the pandemic probably can’t be accomplished fast egnough to help.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

The issue today is that cash transactions are a added touch point that a lot of people , including myself, avoid . Right now I think I have the same bills in my wallet I had in March. Eliminating the transfer of germs with plastic that in most cases today never leaves my hand seems easy.
I can understand the help wanting to stick with cash , taxes and instant use of their money .
That said , at this point in the lifeline of the pandemic installing the charging system to help the pandemic probably can’t be accomplished fast enough to help.

How is a germ transfer "eliminated"?

The Wuhan Flu virus is submicroscopic, and survives quite well on nearly every surface--including every wallet.

[Mr. V]

It is up to the business owner to set the rules of payment.

Like VK, I also have never accepted credit or debit cards in my law practice, and it hasn't hurt me at all: if people want you or your product they'll pay the way you say.

Yes, it really is that simple.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by ApS

How is a germ transfer "eliminated"?

The Wuhan Flu virus is submicroscopic, and survives quite well on nearly every surface--including every wallet.

when is the last time the inside of the credit card machine was cleaned? The slot where every single card that is touched by everyone goes.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by dpg

I've stopped eating at the VK maybe two years now because of their "plastic" policy. Yup I know me not going there isn't going to change the course of rivers I get that. C'mon it's 2020 already and 99.9999% of the population expects to be able to use plastic if they want too. Center Harbor Diner has begun the same policy and I also used to be a regular there... Well I'll survive as long as there is someplace around willing to take my Debit card.

First world problems...

Dan

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by dpg

I've stopped eating at the VK maybe two years now because of their "plastic" policy. Yup I know me not going there isn't going to change the course of rivers I get that. C'mon it's 2020 already and 99.9999% of the population expects to be able to use plastic if they want too. Center Harbor Diner has begun the same policy and I also used to be a regular there... Well I'll survive as long as there is someplace around willing to take my Debit card.

Why can’t you just it an ATM before you go to VK?

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