Opinions are varied about the availability of EFTPOS in the Eurobodalla and the fees associated with it.
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A lively debate was sparked by a letter to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner on October 31 from Lyn Coddington of Boorowa, criticising businesses in Tuross Head and Mogo for either charging fees to use EFTPOS or not having it available.
“I live in Tuross Head, and basically it has always been a bit removed,” Moruya Chamber of Commerce president Lilian Brindley said.
The letter suggested that rather than tacking on a fee to pay via EFTPOS, businesses should work this expense into their prices, but Ms Brindley rejects this.
“You can’t absorb the cost into the product because people paying cash would be penalised,” she said.
Ms Brindley said that such facilities should not be taken for granted by customers, whether they are tourists or residents.
“It is entirely up to the small business owner whether they have EFTPOS or not,” she said.
“This is not a cheap thing for a business to have, and small places do not have the turnover to absorb all the costs.”
However, Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce president Natasha Driscoll sees it differently, both from the customer and business owner point of view.
“I personally feel EFTPOS is something that all retail business should have. We are moving towards a cashless society and EFTPOS is the norm. I myself don’t carry a lot of cash, if any, and find it frustrating when I cannot use my card to make a purchase.
“What annoys me more is when I get charged to use my card or have to make a minimum spend for the privilege of using my card.
“I have been caught out before when I am unable to use my card but the end result is me usually walking away from the transaction.
“For a business, having EFTPOS facilities means increased sales, a reduced need to go to the bank because the money is deposited direct into your account, and improved security as there is less cash on the premises. Most importantly, it means happy customers.”
Batemans Bay fashion boutique proprietor Ruth White agrees.
“If you don’t have EFTPOS now you are cutting your own throat,” she said.
“Ninety per cent of our transactions are made with EFTPOS or credit cards.”