What Are The Best Ways To Make Payments To Vendors In India?

India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Needless to say, you have various digital as well as manual options to make payments to vendors all over India. The best ways to make payments in India are: 

• Cash: This is, undoubtedly, the most widely accepted and convenient payment method in India. When you are buying from roadside vendors, especially, this is probably the only option you will have. 

• Credit or Debit Card: Most MasterCard and Visa debit and credit cards are accepted across stores in India. Sometimes, the Indian vendors may add an extra 2% to 3% of the transaction amount to the total if you opt to pay using a credit card. This is essentially the fee that the Indian vendor would have to pay to the merchant gateway for accepting credit card payments. You can certainly opt for withdrawing cash using your ATM debit card so that you can make the payment. However, it is important to note here that an international transaction fee may be applicable when you use a credit card in India. Usually between 1 and 3% is charged on credit card transactions. ATM fees depend upon the bank, primarily if you are using an out-of-network ATM. 

• Mobile Wallets: These are the most popular digital payment options available in India. Wallets are accessible to even the smallest vendors these days, given that almost everyone has access to a smartphone. You have payment applications like PayTm, Mobikwik, and FreeCharge that you can use while you are in India. 

However, currency exchange rules do not allow wallet transfers using foreign credit/debit cards. Therefore, to use these you will require an Indian mobile phone number. Once that is active connect it with the wallet. You can then ask an Indian relative, acquaintance, or colleague to transfer some money to your wallet and pay them in cash in return. It is best to exhaust all leftover wallet cash before your trip ends and top-up only as and when required to avoid leaving the balance amount in the wallet.