If they don’t let you reserve with cash, show them that you have it and be prepared to walk out on them.
In our case we were forced to. And we found someone that would take the debit card. I don’t like carrying much cash when I travel. Certainly not enough to impress someone loaning me a $25k car.
Neither do I. I was talking with a friend and came to a realization just how far out I am from ‘mainstream’, in dealing with my finances. I’ve been so used to dealing with just me that it feels normal now - but, she would ask why I was paying for groceries with cash. As in a month’s worth.
Anyways, Dave has been helpful for me, and I will be going back on his plan after 2 weeks off of it. I figured out I’m happier just sticking to that plan, and now I’m working on my little ‘emergency fund’, and continuing to build it up.