Media Credit: Patrick Finney [Click to enlarge]

University student Natalie Alkire swiped her debit card to purchase a Subway sandwich in the EMU on Wednesday morning.

Alkire represents a growing number of customers who prefer to use debit or credit cards over cash - even for food purchases. Cash is disappearing from the marketplace as students trade green paper and coins for plastic. Misusing a credit card, however, can affect purchases and employment after college. Although businesses pay fees for each credit transaction, customers are forcing businesses to adapt.

Vending machines owned by Pepsi Bottling Co. of Eugene, for example, now accept debit and credit cards, and a company spokesman says he expects to see more credit transactions made on the machines in the future.

tdavis@dailyemerald.com

The local Pepsi bottling and distribution company installed six machines on campus in September that accept credit or debit cards, said vending manager Lance Roser.

"It's obvious to us that credit card purchases are becoming more and more common," Roser said, adding people don't always carry cash. "We found that once a vending price goes over a dollar, people struggle to find $2 or with finding a dollar and 25 cents."

The company is trying to offer added convenience, Roser said.

Students have been taking advantage of it.

Since the machines were installed in September, 28 percent of purchases were made with a credit or debit card, and 72 percent were made with cash, Roser said. Students pay with plastic 40 percent of the time when using a machine in the School of Law.

Every transaction is recorded and sent to Pepsi through a wireless signal.

The number of credit or debit transactions is growing, Roser said. The software didn't allow Roser to view specifics, but he said he expects students to make more purchases with plastic in the future.

"I think students didn't know about this, and they're just now realizing they don't have to try to scrounge up change," Roser said. "They'll trust them more and realize it's a good way to go."

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