ABC Nightline aired a clip about how some businesses especially near the Mexican border are accepting Pesos for payment of goods and services. Do you think this is a good idea?
There is even a pizza chain that is called Pizza Patron that has a small sign on the counter that states "Pizza Patron now accepts pesos for payment, along with U.S. dollars".
[question posted by GarbagePicker]
responses and comments:
I am sorry but no. I think that we are living in the US and our money form is dollars. I also think that people coming here making money off of us should learn to use our language as well as dollars. This is just another way to say up your to Americans. The illegal immigrants say they come here for freedom but the first thing they do here is break our laws. I think that Americans should stick together and only take american money. [sizzle3000]
I disagree. People can change over their money when entering USA. Except that they will not change over small coins. If people have small pesos then they sure don't have enough to buy pizza with it. That money they pay for pizza can easily be exchanged for USD. [sirensanssmile]
That usually happens at places where it is located very near the border of one country to another. In my country it happens that way too. One small island in my place is very near to malaysia and if you go there you would noticed that most of the goods sold there are malaysian goods and sometimes you would see malaysian ringgit more than philippine peso when transacting business. i think that could not be prevented since it is very near the border of another country and doing business with that other country is more convenient than conducting business with your own country becuase of vicinity. [rsa101]
I have to wonder if the US wasn't having the big illegal immigration debate right now if this would even be reported, or if it would be an issue. Here's why I say that...my hubby and I used to live in Michigan, not far from the Canadian border. It was not unusual to see merchants accepting Canadian currency, or to get Canadian coins back as change. If this were happening in a state like Colorado for instance, where there is no international border nearby, then I'd have a problem with it. But as long as the exchange rate is taken into consideration and it's along the border I don't see a big issue. Every business is trying to survive these days. [soccermom]
The reason I came to my opinion on Canadians not wanting to immigrate here is because I had a policyholder whose job transferred him from his native Vancouver. This poor couple is going through severe culture shock. They say AMericans are more closed minded and rude, and this is not the only Canadians I have heard this from. Not saying Canada is perfect, it just seems that they focus more on their quality of life than we do. [soccermom]
It's a business decision not a political decision. If they can make more money by accepting pesos as well as dollars, then it is a good decision. They are not the reason that Mexicans are coming to the US, I am sure none are saying "hey let's go cross the border to Pizza Patron, they take pesos." There are many other points to consider and legal and political points. Don't worry about a small privately owned pizza shop. [brothertuck]
I agree with this response. It is not about politics in this case....it is about business. I am not a big business fan but it is a business decision based on the bottom line. Did you catch the part where they said they give them change back in U.S. Currency? I couldn't believe that...... Anyway, again, it's not personal, political, cultural, etc. it's business. [inallduetime]
Let me change the tone a little. If the business was ONLY accepting pesos, I'd have a real issue with that. The greenback is the currency of the land, used to settle debts public and private. The peso hasn't any standing in this country, but if someone wants to accept a peso, or mark or yen for something thats fine. Its their decision. If someone demands pesos for payment....foul! I'm surprised that this finally made the news. Its been around for three or four months in the papers. [wolves69]
Businesses that are on the borders of all countries ususally accept foriegn currency.In all the countries that I have been in,that has been the case. Now that I have made you aware of this I am sure you will have a more fulfilling life and sleep better at night. I already feel much better now that I have passed along this most informative piece of information. In fact It has given me the urge to go to the vent fan room. [herrbaggs]
Well "move" it along then... [GarbagePicker]
I don't know. Some businesses overseas that cater to American tourists accept dollars, don't they? If I were a business owner the the border of a country (any country) I think it would be prudent to accept other forms of currency. [sndcain]
Oh look. Now you've upset my poor kitty. [sndcain]
Depends, are pesos worth more or less when you get it changed into American money? I personally think that if they're going to come into the US that they should pay with US money. But, we're just the minority and we're invisible. Now, if it's worth more when you change it, then sure, because we're making something off of them. Although it's probably the government that gives them American money anyways. It's just a vicious cycle. So, I say no, but that doesn't stop it from happening :( [jess19892007]
America is edging toward a 'paperless society'... we see that more evident everyday.. when big named restaurant chains started taking credit cards and debit cards a few years ago, it seemed to have made a hit with customers. it's faster, and makes waiting in line a thing of the past.. and with the introduction of the speedpass cards they have made it even more appealing. so they may enjoy using their pesos now, but soon no one will be using anything but a debit type card to make purchases. [elp388]
I think so! but if not, I know a donkey farm not too far from there! [elp388]
I am going to put a twist on this. If a store owner said they will accept livestock or produce as a form of payment along with US currency would that also be a problem? Personally I don't think a Mexican border state should accept foreign currency only because it will help illegal immigrants invade our country. If there was not a problem with 28 million illegal immigrants I wouldn't see a problem with it. [coolseeds]
Of course they could, aren't they accepting illegals to pay taxes? [queenbtch]
Ehh...Who cares? Why shouldn't they accept pesos. At the Canadian border with the u.s. both countries accept both the USD and the CAD. Whats the big deal?? [Ethanuel]
I know a lot of businesses in the Northern part of the US will accept Canadian money, but isn't the peso to dollar conversion a little tricky? I remember hearing that it took like 5000 pesos to equal a US dollar. That seems like kind of a hassle for the cashier! [fantasmfeline]