The sad demise of cash.

[Agnes_Cali]

I still carry cash in Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Coins definitely in Switzerland to pay for parking and toilets. I think Covid changed a lot, but there are still places that are cash only. USA certainly changed due to Covid and I didn't use any cash on recent stays, comparing to pre-covid stays.

I did some work in Germany 10 years ago and there used to be issue with foreign credit cards in supermarkets, everyone used local debit cards.

 

[pjm-84]

I haven't used cash for some time but Covid finally killed it off. I think I had £50 in my wallet for a few years with most of it being handed out to people I didn't know. Far easier to swipe or phone touch.

Its all digitial for me but I appreciate that some people prefer cash or use it to budget, which I do think is a great idea.

Both my Mother and Sister would draw out maximum sums of cash, from the cash machine, as part of their daily lives. For my Mother that would be a 20mile round trip.

I was with my cousin at a funeral last year, in a remote part of Wales, and he had £1000 cash wad on him.......just in case. He certainly feels lost if he doesn't have a wad of notes in his pocket, even at a funeral.

 

[66tim99]

Banning cash payments was an excellent move for London buses, which can now be loaded in seconds rather than minutes.
Much less likely now for two to come along at once…

 

[Tarquers]

Rise in cash-only spenders driven by cost of living crisis - BBC News

But young shoppers are far more likely to use their phones to pay for things, despite stretched budgets.

www.bbc.co.uk

this post says more about the demographic of California owners I suspect than the reality for a lot of people.

 

[acer]

From the title I had assumed that this thread was going to focus on car parks.

Paying by credit card would be ok if it was as quick as throwing some coins in the machine, but it rarely is.

Worse, the majority of the modern machines require the use of an app, of which there are many different types. It’s such a fuss. Stories of people having trouble downloading the wrong app or getting ripped off giving card details to the wrong website etc are a further concern.

Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

 

[willwander]

From the title I had assumed that this thread was going to focus on car parks.

Paying by credit card would be ok if it was as quick as throwing some coins in the machine, but it rarely is.

Worse, the majority of the modern machines require the use of an app, of which there are many different types. It’s such a fuss. Stories of people having trouble downloading the wrong app or getting ripped off giving card details to the wrong website etc are a further concern.

Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

All good points.
Except I never have the right change.

 

[Velma's Dad]

...
Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

Try turning that on its head. If cards/phone(/smartwatch) payments had come first then someone said, I know let's create these metal discs that you'll need to carry in your pocket in appropriate quantities and of the right sizes/values, and you'll need to go regularly and find a cash machine somewhere to replenish the paper bulk versions that you can then find a shop that will exchange those for the discs, and we'll employ loads of people to go round and load up the machines you get the paper stuff out of and empty the machines you put the discs into (and you the public will need to pay their wages, evebn though indirectly, rather than spending the same money employing those people as something really socially useful like as care workers or helping to run schools) you'd say they were mad, no?

 

[soulstyledevon]

From the title I had assumed that this thread was going to focus on car parks.

Paying by credit card would be ok if it was as quick as throwing some coins in the machine, but it rarely is.

Worse, the majority of the modern machines require the use of an app, of which there are many different types. It’s such a fuss. Stories of people having trouble downloading the wrong app or getting ripped off giving card details to the wrong website etc are a further concern.

Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

I don’t mind paying via an app.
But there should be one standard national app which all carpark operators must sign too.
It’s ridiculous the shear number of different car parking apps required these days. I currently have 5.

This could be a government controlled system which generates income for the treasury.
The same should be applied for EV charging too.

 

[Quiddle]

The Camping and Caravan Club only take card payments, so I would, as a member, be turned away, as cash payments are not an

Why would you be turned away? Pay by bank transfer.
Cash, like bartering, is history.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Bartering is the way forward

or perhaps when you want your new California, you could like the East Germans 40 years ago put your name on a list and then, perhaps, your grandchildren could get one in thirty years time.....

the problem with all this is it is not cash it is CREDIT!

 

[Jude]

I recently had cause to find a pitch, on spec. at the CMC site in Castleton.

My credit card was refused so I paid cash. Their machine was at fault, because I used the card about an hour later in town.

The Camping and Caravan Club only take card payments, so I would, as a member, be turned away, as cash payments are not an option.

The demise of cash is bad news allround.

Nano sized enterprises often don't want to get embroiled in TPE charges: card machines. Especially where wifi maybe weak. 85 year Mavis and even old grandpa living in countries all over the world are well acquainted with cards. Don't scorn her. Cash is a nuisance all round. Cheques are the worst. However, the cost implication for micro enterprises of updating their washing machines, toilet access and all sorts of hardware, are high. Which leaves them a bit behind the times, it is understandable. Just hang on to a couple of hundred euro or the equivalent for safety.

 

[ejmoore]

I recently had cause to find a pitch, on spec. at the CMC site in Castleton.

My credit card was refused so I paid cash. Their machine was at fault, because I used the card about an hour later in town.

The Camping and Caravan Club only take card payments, so I would, as a member, be turned away, as cash payments are not an option.

The demise of cash is bad news allround.

It's a good idea to have more than one credit card, in case this happens. Easy enough to do.

 

[Agnes_Cali]

From the title I had assumed that this thread was going to focus on car parks.

Paying by credit card would be ok if it was as quick as throwing some coins in the machine, but it rarely is.

Worse, the majority of the modern machines require the use of an app, of which there are many different types. It’s such a fuss. Stories of people having trouble downloading the wrong app or getting ripped off giving card details to the wrong website etc are a further concern.

Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

So far, I was able to avoid using apps for parking. I only have JustPark and used it couple of times in Dorset. But they added 50p to the payment! I refuse to use car parks with app payment only (app I don't have). I would just drive away, if I couldn't pay with cash/card or JustPark.
I understand that Ringo is also quite popular and it was even recommended to me by someone, who said it's great, because you can extended you parking time remote.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Interesting debate.

I have to say that other than local tradesmen who still seem to insist on cash, the plastic society does seem to be upon us, at least in the West. It's just so easy, less risky and FAST!

Even my window cleaner doesn't like his £12 in cash - he asks for BACS transfer now.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

It's a good idea to have more than one credit card, in case this happens. Easy enough to do.

Agree, Or at least a Visa debit card and Mastercard credit card as a minimum.

 

[Perfectos]

Interesting debate.

I have to say that other than local tradesmen who still seem to insist on cash, the plastic society does seem to be upon us, at least in the West. It's just so easy, less risky and FAST!

Even my window cleaner doesn't like his £12 in cash - he asks for BACS transfer now.

Homeless people often find cash easier to accept rather than card payments or bank transfers!

 

[Wannabecamperman]

From the title I had assumed that this thread was going to focus on car parks.

Paying by credit card would be ok if it was as quick as throwing some coins in the machine, but it rarely is.

Worse, the majority of the modern machines require the use of an app, of which there are many different types. It’s such a fuss. Stories of people having trouble downloading the wrong app or getting ripped off giving card details to the wrong website etc are a further concern.

Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

I also loathe having to use an app to park. I do however appreciate a contactless card option at the payment machine.

 

[SteveBristol123]

Haven’t really used cash for years myself and the only issue I have had in the last 3 years was in Paris in July. I stopped smoking 5 years ago but a few drinks and the constant waft of cigarette smoke outside cafes was too tempting. I went to a tobacconist, requested 20 Marlboro Gold and produced my phone to pay. Cash only, he said. I had none, so no cigarettes for me! So, not having cash seems to better for my health at least.

 

[ejmoore]

From the title I had assumed that this thread was going to focus on car parks.

Paying by credit card would be ok if it was as quick as throwing some coins in the machine, but it rarely is.

Worse, the majority of the modern machines require the use of an app, of which there are many different types. It’s such a fuss. Stories of people having trouble downloading the wrong app or getting ripped off giving card details to the wrong website etc are a further concern.

Bring back cash car parking machines. To avoid the argument that they are broken into, pay someone to empty them twice a day and add their wage to the cost of the parking.

The main problem I find with these parking app machines is that they're often the only option in places with a poor internet signal, so you're hanging around for ages trying to get the damn thing to work. I don't mind paying coins if it's £1.50 or similar, but eg £9 day-parking in coins is harder to find.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

We've just come back from Scottish road trip and 2 small sites only took cash!

 

[acer]

Try turning that on its head. If cards/phone(/smartwatch) payments had come first then someone said, I know let's create these metal discs that you'll need to carry in your pocket in appropriate quantities and of the right sizes/values, and you'll need to go regularly and find a cash machine somewhere to replenish the paper bulk versions that you can then find a shop that will exchange those for the discs, and we'll employ loads of people to go round and load up the machines you get the paper stuff out of and empty the machines you put the discs into (and you the public will need to pay their wages, evebn though indirectly, rather than spending the same money employing those people as something really socially useful like as care workers or helping to run schools) you'd say they were mad, no?

I agree that in general electronic payment is faster, cleaner and more efficient. I flash my phone at cashiers as much as the next teen . I love paying electronically.

However, the technology used in car parks is way way behind most other places that take electronic payment - shops, hotels, etc. Can’t wait for it to improve.

By the way, I never have a problem finding the right change. I always have a money bag in the van with about £20 worth in. But then I’m often accused of over planning things.

 

[Kenisted]

I recently had cause to find a pitch, on spec. at the CMC site in Castleton.

My credit card was refused so I paid cash. Their machine was at fault, because I used the card about an hour later in town.

The Camping and Caravan Club only take card payments, so I would, as a member, be turned away, as cash payments are not an option.

The demise of cash is bad news allround.

We’ve just returned from a trip in Germany, at least half the sites will only take cash as they refuse to pay the credit card charges

 

[Crell]

I recently had cause to find a pitch, on spec. at the CMC site in Castleton.

My credit card was refused so I paid cash. Their machine was at fault, because I used the card about an hour later in town.

The Camping and Caravan Club only take card payments, so I would, as a member, be turned away, as cash payments are not an option.

The demise of cash is bad news allround.

Always worth having at least two cards - ideally one MC and one Visa (or whatever you prefer) and ideally from different institutions. I’ve had all sorts of issues with one bank in the past declining transactions that went through fine on a second account. (Their risk management profiling triggering the decline).

I do not miss cash at all.

 

[Musket]

My son lives in a city in China where cash isn't allowed, other than tourists, (have to show passport with visa for a hotel, shop, bar etc to accept it and they have to take a photo of it...) The logic was to reduce crime as stolen goods can't be laundered so not worth mugging people in the street or breaking into their house. (Fifteen years in, it seems to be working. Small crime is far lower than the national average and drug usage is very low. Obviously, not zero but that's because it isn't far to a city where you can use cash. t does make theft inconvenient though.)

For us to go cashless, which is the logical future, we do need to introduce laws to have banks treat card payments the same as cash payments. After all, charging vendors a premium for cards when the cost to the bank is less than handling the cash takings anyway.....

The problem isn't electric payments themselves but the cost to business to accept it. I don't carry cash these days (I try to keep £50 in my wallet but it's been a long time since I actually used any.) I use Apple Pay on my watch for literally everything and with my credit card being very good for abroad, I have had holidays in Australia, Italy and Thailand over the last 18 months and never had to get cash for any of them.

I'm cashless and I rarely see an issue these days.

 

[Mr B]

My son lives in a city in China where cash isn't allowed, other than tourists, (have to show passport with visa for a hotel, shop, bar etc to accept it and they have to take a photo of it...) The logic was to reduce crime as stolen goods can't be laundered so not worth mugging people in the street or breaking into their house. (Fifteen years in, it seems to be working. Small crime is far lower than the national average and drug usage is very low. Obviously, not zero but that's because it isn't far to a city where you can use cash. t does make theft inconvenient though.)

For us to go cashless, which is the logical future, we do need to introduce laws to have banks treat card payments the same as cash payments. After all, charging vendors a premium for cards when the cost to the bank is less than handling the cash takings anyway.....

The problem isn't electric payments themselves but the cost to business to accept it. I don't carry cash these days (I try to keep £50 in my wallet but it's been a long time since I actually used any.) I use Apple Pay on my watch for literally everything and with my credit card being very good for abroad, I have had holidays in Australia, Italy and Thailand over the last 18 months and never had to get cash for any of them.

I'm cashless and I rarely see an issue these days.

Yeah China is a great model to follow.

You people are insane advocating for CDBCs and the removal of cash...

"...a fully implemented CBDC gives the government complete control over the money going into and coming out of every person’s account. This level of government control is incompatible with both economic and political freedom.

A CBDC is the perfect tool for the Chinese communist party, and that’s exactly why all non-autocratic governments should avoid creating one."

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/digita...c-are-instruments-of-control-and-theyre-here/

and don't say it doesn't affect you because you have nothing to hide.

Whistleblower and anti-surveillance advocate Edward Snowden remarked that "Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say."[9] From his perspective, governments are obligated to protect citizens' right to privacy, and people who argue in favor of the nothing to hide argument are too willing to accept government infringement upon those rights.

Nothing to hide argument - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org