so I asked her if it would be a problem next time she came to our store (she was a customer) that we would "charge $2 for running the cash register, because it was part of the cost of doing business."

Hilarious. Years ago (90's) I stopped using banks and would have to cash my work checks. I was astonished they began charging me to cash my paycheck. I was like, "But my work banks here. This is their check drawn on your bank." Was told the same as you, cost of doing business if I wanted to exchange the check for money. Since then I hear they now demand your fingerprint on the check if you won't open an account.

I left it out of my post here, but was reading of people complaining about the banks asking why you want your money if you try to withdraw a couple grand, one person saying the bank refused to give it to her because they didn't like her answer. People better wake up, now they hardly pretend its our money.