Showerthought: a customer at my Jefferson Ave shop paid me in quarters today and I almost said no
I run a small print/repair gig off Jefferson Ave in Detroit and for years I only took cash or card, no exceptions, because counting change ate up my lunch. Last Tuesday a regular walked in with $47 in quarters and dimes for a $45 job and I just laughed and took it. Six months ago I would've turned him away. Thing is, he's been coming in since 2019 and never once bounced a check, so I sat there stacking coins while he told me about his mom's shop on Mack that closed in '08. Now I'm wondering how many other folks I've brushed off over policy. Any other Detroit owners out there loosening up on payment stuff, or am I just getting soft?
There was a piece in Crain's last month about cash-only spots in Detroit losing regulars who went digital during covid. One guy in Southwest said he lost like 30% of his customers. That stuck with me. Plus a buddy who runs a barber shop on Michigan Ave said he started taking Venmo and his tips went up $200 a week. People tip more when they aren't digging for bills. Your quarter guy sounds solid though. Ten years of no bounced checks is worth way more than a lunch break.