Can someone please explain to me why the gift shop at the DAR can take credit cards but not the library? The library is still a cash-only operation for the admission fee. If you forget to bring cash, it's a nice hike to the nearest ATM.
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Discussing the Pitfalls of Genealogy |
The DAR Libary
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 Unregistered(d) |
The DAR Libary |
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Posts: 0 (07/21/05 12:33:44) |
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rottenralf |
best to go to the source | ||
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Posts: 142 (07/21/05 13:27:15) |
The DAR Library is probably the only one who can tell you with certainty why that is their policy. I might hazard a guess that it is because the credit card companies charge merchants between 3 & 5% of the transaction, perhaps as well as monthly fees and/or per transaction fees. The library probably doesn't want to pay that out of the research fees, and doesn't want to raise the price to their cash paying customers by 3 to 5%(or more). Most are hesitant to have two fee schedules, one for cash, another for credit, too many problems-too many credit card rules-too many state laws.
The gift shop, on the other hand, is dealing with merchandise that has a descent mark up, and probably has the merchant fee built into the retail price. Cash purchases are a bonus to them. Whatever the reason, they probably won't change unless a large number of people complain, and if there is a change, you will probably see a price hike to compensate for it. |
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Unregistered(d) |
Re: The DAR Library | ||
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Posts: 0 (07/21/05 14:15:37) |
Could it be that the gift shop is run by a business that is not directly controlled by the DAR? What kind of moron wouldn't carry enough cash to cover the $6 admission fee to the DAR library? Maybe the same moron that thinks that the walk from the DAR Library on D Street to the ATM at the Clara Barton Federal Credit Union on E Street is a "hike".
GenuineBlob, would you like to add anything? |
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GenuineBlob |
Re: wannabe | ||
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Posts: 25 (07/21/05 17:59:19) |
Quote: Only that you will never make it into the GenuineClub .... your response was far too lucid and contained very little irrational babbling for you to think you could ever be a real Blob. |
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Unregistered(d) |
The DAR Library | ||
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Posts: 0 (07/23/05 12:14:55) |
Some people don't like to carry cash, I guess.
I was in the DAR Library once, signing in the guest book up front, when this issue came up with a tourist who wanted to use the library. Her response was that it's unsafe to carry cash because a person might get robbed and Washington is not the safest place in the world, therefore it was wrong for the library not to take plastic. My unspoken response was "Well, the robber could certainly take your ATM and credit cards too along with all your jewelry." Certainly, it's not a good idea to carry wads of cash around, but going cash-less isn't the best idea either. The area around the DAR Library is one of the safest parts of town. The library staff politely directed her to the ATM in the lobby of the Department of the Interior, which is over on C Street. Apparently, that ATM doesn't charge any additional fees when you withdraw cash there. I believe that the library does take checks. But, then again, I guess all those robbers that are lurking around the DAR library could steal a person's check book too. |
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Unregistered(d) |
Genuine Blob | ||
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Posts: 0 (07/27/05 17:02:10) |
How does one become a Blob?
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