The costs are often hidden because they are paid by the merchant. -snip-
Dont be naive. The merchants pays for nothing, since all expenses are added to the price of the product the customer pays. Its allways
the customer that
pays the price.
So what you're saying, is that paying with cash is a rip off because because you're paying the markup of credit cards, but don't get the benefits of one.
This is essentially what happens. Cash customers essentially subsidize people that pay via credit card.