1.   The owner of chains of tobacconists, newsagents and convenience stores, its success depends on large numbers of small purchases.

2.   Ciba made a number of small purchases last year.

3.   Comparatively small purchases also have been made by Republicans Alan Keyes and Gary Bauer for the campaign finale.

4.   Consumers generally use the debit cards for small purchases at grocery, liquor and other stores where they used to spend cash or write checks.

5.   For consumers, e-cash means convenience for small purchases and a discreet way to shop by computer.

6.   Generally, however, forgery is too hard to track down, involves too many small purchases and just seems too insignificant for the authorities to take seriously.

7.   GE Capital has been involved in financing some small McCook purchases in the past, but insists it has no part in the current offer.

8.   HOPES AND FEARS SURROUND THE IDEA OF E-CASH THE PROMISE ... Stored value cards give consumers a ready source of exact change for small purchases.

9.   In theory, this would make small purchases faster and easier than with coins and bills.

10.   It also has several pilot projects testing out Visa Cash, which is a disposable card that can be used for making small purchases.