re: Does paying with cash vs check or card for big purchases still hold sway?

Car dealerships are probably the only place that don't prefer cash. The finance guy makes money off of the spread between the bank's rate and what he quotes you. Last time I purchased a new vehicle I went in with a pre-approval from my credit union. The finance guy quoted me his best rate from Hancock/Whitney and I told him I had a better rate. He then matched the pre-approval rate. I probably should have haggled him a little and told him for the same rate I'd rather be able to auto-draft from my checking account.

I would bet if you went into someplace like Rooms to Go where they have zero percent financing and offered to pay cash, they would give you a few percentage points discount.