Sure, there is no doubt that cost of goods has increased to cover the cc fees. But that added cost (1.5% ) in your example, is charged to everybody including cash payers.
It's clear there ate three types of buyers. What percentage of TBN or the general population they encompass is irrelivant. Everyone knows what they are.
Type 1. The cash buyer
Type 2. The revolver
Type 3. The credit user but non revolver
Let's but a $100 item that cost the store $80
Type 1 cash buyer pays $100, store profits $20
Type 2 revolver. Pays the store $100, pays the cc company $10, and the store pays the cc company $3.
Buyer is out $110
Store only profits $17
Cc company makes $13
Type 3. Non revolver. Pays $100 and gets $2 back from cc company. Store pays cc company $3.
Buyer is out $98
Store only profits $17
Cc company makes a buck.
It's all well and fine to claim we are are paying more as a result, but it ain't gonna change. So me personally, I'll take the option that cost me the least. I don't care about the store or cc company. Just my pocket book. And that option is a Cc.
And as others mentioned the perks that the card offer (aside from cash back), like disputing charges, not having to carry around a pocket full of change, pump gas without going in, etc.
Nothing a consumer is going to do is gonna change the system. The ONLY way IMO is up to the merchants. Start offering a cash discount equal to or better than what the credit card company is offering me to use there card.
It's quite simple IMO, I can go buy $500 worth of groceries. I can carry the case and pay that way. Or I can take the credit card company up on their offer to pay be $10 to charge it and pay it off before it cost me any interest. I opt for the later