How much of a discount can you get for paying cash?
Emma Miller
Updated on February 19, 2026
Saving as much as $3 per week adds up to $150 or more per year. An informal survey of restaurants around the country found 10 percent is the norm for cash discounts, but a few eateries took as much as 15 percent off the bill.
Why do some stores give you a discount for paying in cash?
Why Might a Seller Give a Cash Discount? A seller might offer a buyer a cash discount to 1) use the cash earlier, if the seller is experiencing a cash flow shortfall; 2) avoid the cost and effort of billing the customer; or 3) reinvest the cash into the business to help it grow faster.
Do companies offer a cash discount?
One of the best ways to get your customers to pay their bills early is to offer them a cash discount. A cash discount is usually around 1 or 2% of the invoice total, although some businesses may offer up to a 5% discount.
Should you tell a dealer you are paying cash?
Dealers prefer buyers who finance because they can make a profit on the loan – therefore, you should never tell them you’re paying cash. You should aim to get pricing from at least 10 dealerships. Since each dealer is selling a commodity, you want to get them in a bidding war.
Is it legal to offer a cash discount?
Cash Discount programs are legal in all 50 states per the Durbin Amendment (part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Law), which states that businesses are permitted to offer a discount to customers as an incentive for paying with cash.
What do you mean by cash discount program?
A Cash Discount program is a method of implementing a service fee to all customers who pay with a card, while providing a discount to those who pay with cash.
Is it legal for gas stations to offer cash discounts?
Cash Discount programs are legal in all 50 states per the Durbin Amendment (part of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Law), which states that businesses are permitted to offer a discount to customers as an incentive for paying with cash. While this type of program has been used by gas stations…
How to implement a legal and compliant cash discount program?
The card associations have strict guidelines on how a Cash Discount program must be implemented. The essential steps being 1) Correct signage must be posted at the door and check out 2) The amount of the added service fee must be clearly displayed on the receipt and 3) Offering your customers a cash discount verbally.