Sometimes cash has more power. Lately I've been asking if contractors or restaurants would waive ridiculous fees if I pay cash and more times than not they agree to at least reduce it by how much the tax is. I live in a state where sales tax is over 10%

I've even found credit card fees being anywhere from 3 to 10%. Even more wild in places like coffee shops or convenience stores where it's a flat $4 fee. So I paid $8 for a flavored drink and they add $4 on top of that. But no fee if using cash.