The few times I've been asked for cash because the credit card machine is 'broken', I've offered (a) they can use the swipe machine and run the card later, or (

The few times I've been asked for cash because the credit card machine is 'broken', I've offered (a) they can use the swipe machine and run the card later, or (b) they'll need to come back when it's fixed and I'll gladly pay them at that time. They aren't always happy about it, but somehow they typically fix their machine. Within seconds.