I love using cash, especially at small businesses to save them merchant service fees. But recently I noticed a trend, even with small businesses, to prefer customers use a card. It must have to do with the added cost/burden of reconciling cash and taking it to the bank. I figure the added burden for a small business is greater than the fee, and for a larger business it is probably a wash. With that in mind, if a merchant prefers cash, I go that route.