Buffet trolleys - time they started taking cash again.

[LordCreed]

And everyone allowing this two tier society is guilty of allowing governments and big businesses to control them

Rather that I'm guilty of making my life as easy as possible. Going to a cash point to take out a note to then go to a shop to break down the note into coins so that I can use a 20p toilet is not convenient or easy. It's the exact same reason that I rarely use the local bus company, as they're cash only, and I can't be bothered to deal with change vouchers when they inevitably don't have the right change.

Certainly in my case I used contactless a long time before it was required to pay for certain things. I remember phoning up HSBC to get them to reissue my card so that it was contactless. Now I use my phone instead, even more convenient as I don't have to worry about carrying my wallet everywhere.

 

[Sheridan]

And everyone allowing this two tier society is guilty of allowing governments and big businesses to control them

Is cash somehow free of the influence of government and business?

 

[LordCreed]

So if someone wants to pay for their KitKat by cheque, should the buffet trolley have to accept that as well?

Don't forget the good old postal order...

 

[Bletchleyite]

And everyone allowing this two tier society is guilty of allowing governments and big businesses to control them

You what? It's a partnership between me and my bank (which isn't a big business, it's Monzo which is quite a small business) which allows me convenient access to my money without carrying awkward random pieces of metal?

Is cash somehow free of the influence of government and business?

It allows tax evasion, which is why trades often favour it. I pay my taxes and I would rather others did too.

 

[DarloRich]

Nonsense. We have s currency for a purpose. It should be available for use.

I just want to give my pound something and get a coke.

it is and you can - via your contactless card. It isn't 1953 anymore. I really don't understand why you are making such a song and dance over this. It does not reflect well.

 

[Sheridan]

Load of crap. Like I'm made out to be the loony for wanting to use cash to buy a kitkat. It's this century that's gone bonkers.

If the cap fits…

 

[43066]

I fail to see how not having the choice between electronic and cash payment, is a better customer experience than having that choice.

It’s likely going to be cheaper if they don’t have to handle cash (albeit whether or not that saving is passed on to the customer is another matter).

Personally I can’t understand why anyone would want to use cash: it’s inconvenient, dirty, and as above presents a security risk to (for example) guards on late night trains.

Ultimately that’s the way the world is going, so you’ll find that insisting on using cash only makes you own life become more and more awkward as time passes. Why not just embrace that reality!?

 

[Techniquest]

What on Earth is all this nonsense? I am very happy that cash is dying, the only place I use cash these days is the chippy, as they are cash only. The other one takes cards, but their prices are astronomical and service not as good as the Chinese couple-operated one. I have to confess to not going over to paying via NFC on my phone for stuff yet, that will no doubt change but I still like the use of the physical card. Don't ask me why, I don't know myself.

I am however very happy to hear that Gloucester Transport Hub takes contactless payments for the facilities, that knowledge will come in handy next time I visit Gloucester!

As for the trolley thing, I'm sorry yorksrob, but you will find yourself in a minority both on here and in the wider world these days. Refusing to pay by card for things is not going to get you terribly far. Once upon a time, years and years ago, I preferred cash for small transactions and that was the accepted way by many places. Nowadays, I'm much happier paying contactless and getting on my way!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yep, the chippy is also the only place I still spend cash. Maybe I shouldn't withdraw any more, it'd help my diet!

 

[yorksrob]

it is and you can - via your contactless card. It isn't 1953 anymore. I really don't understand why you are making such a song and dance over this. It does not reflect well.

I couldn't care less what it reflects as.

People have a couple of quid in their pocket. They like to spend it on a can of coke or a piece of cake. Those who are against this are the loonies.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I couldn't care less what it reflects as.

People have a couple of quid in their pocket. They like to spend it on a can of coke or a piece of cake. Those who are against this are the loonies.

I have a phone in my pocket. I can use it to spend a couple of quid on a can of Coke or a piece of cake. Easier than taking my wallet out, even! Bonus: unless I've totally run out for that month, I'm not reliant on the specific amount of pocket change I have.

I've never done pocket change, I've always kept it in my wallet.

 

[yorksrob]

If the cap fits…

That doesn't even work.

 

[Starmill]

I don't care about UK societies issues. I care about my issues.

Hm.

 

[Techniquest]

Yep, the chippy is also the only place I still spend cash. Maybe I shouldn't withdraw any more, it'd help my diet!

Yes, same here! It's something I try to reserve exclusively for a quick feed after a long cycle ride, when I can't be bothered to cook (and who wants to do that, after a 64 mile ride?) quite honestly. Sometimes it slips in on other occasions, but I need to stop doing that. My diet suffers badly enough!

 

[Starmill]

Didn’t realise there was a problem dealing with cash now the pandemic has passed. Saying that it does seem odd not using contactless these days which is so convenient.

I don't think that it has anything to do with the pandemic, as you say. I think it's just that many retailers prefer not to take cash.

 

[LordCreed]

I am however very happy to hear that Gloucester Transport Hub takes contactless payments for the facilities, that knowledge will come in handy next time I visit Gloucester!

Time your visit well, as the toilets are closed more than they are open due to "staffing issues"

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't think that it has anything to do with the pandemic, as you say. I think it's just that many retailers prefer not to take cash.

And increasingly customers don't want to pay with it either. Occasionally, the elusive "win-win situation" does exist in business.

 

[Techniquest]

Time your visit well, as the toilets are closed more than they are open due to "staffing issues"

Ah yes you are right, whenever I really want to use them before the 1750 on Route 33 they are often out of use. I usually go to Eastgate and use the facilities in there, unless I'm near the Quays and dive into there nice and quickly. It's quite the trek to Hereford on the bus when you have an angry bladder after all!

 

[Starmill]

And increasingly customers don't want to pay with it either. Occasionally, the elusive "win-win situation" does exist in business.

Indeed. And in the case of a casual pub meal or an on train cup of coffee, most consumers will want to just order that from their phone anyway, so it makes sense to roll payment and ordering together via Google Pay / Apple Pay. This is what I did the last time I bought a snack on a train.

Interestingly a local shop I unfortunately have to get something from sometimes still says no to card payments under £5. That's a key reason I'd prefer to walk a little bit further to the Coop or a large supermarket.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Indeed. And in the case of a casual pub meal or an on train cup of coffee, most consumers will want to just order that from their phone anyway, so it makes sense to roll payment and ordering together via Google Pay / Apple Pay. This is what I did the last time I bought a snack on a train.

Though there are some awful implementations of that sort of thing around. Odeon cinemas are about the worst I've seen.

 

[Spamcan81]

Pre pandemic about 10% of the turnover in my shop was by card/contactless. Went to 90% at the height of the pandemic but now has dropped to around 60% so a significant number of customers have reverted to cash payments and I'm happy to give them the choice.

 

[43066]

Pre pandemic about 10% of the turnover in my shop was by card/contactless. Went to 90% at the height of the pandemic but now has dropped to around 60% so a significant number of customers have reverted to cash payments and I'm happy to give them the choice.

Do you suffer a cost from your bank for cash handling? I understand most retail businesses do these days.

 

[DarloRich]

People have a couple of quid in their pocket. They like to spend it on a can of coke or a piece of cake. Those who are against this are the loonies.

You can. Via your contactless card. It is the same money spent in the same way. Like I said it isn't 1953 anymore, no matter how much you wish it was. The world has changed and you are being left behind. That said as I think you are getting tired and emotional and it is time for bed.

 

[Starmill]

Pre pandemic about 10% of the turnover in my shop was by card/contactless. Went to 90% at the height of the pandemic but now has dropped to around 60% so a significant number of customers have reverted to cash payments and I'm happy to give them the choice.

That is interesting. Is it the typical "corner shop" grocery and newspaper type of place or something a bit more specialised? There's definitely a lot of people who still use cash for their corner shop, even if cards are now accepted without the addition of fees. Whereas a lot of places like home electronics stores stopped taking cash years ago, because who turns up with rolls of £20 notes these days.

 

[Spamcan81]

Do you suffer a cost from your bank for cash handling? I understand most retail businesses do these days.

Banks charge for handling cash, card merchants charge for facilitating payments so it costs me either way. Charges are similar so no real financial advantage one way or the other.

That is interesting. Is it the typical "corner shop" grocery and newspaper type of place or something a bit more specialised? There's definitely a lot of people who still use cash for their corner shop, even if cards are now accepted without the addition of fees. Whereas a lot of places like home electronics stores stopped taking cash years ago, because who turns up with rolls of £20 notes these days.

Takeaway.

 

[DarloRich]

That is interesting. Is it the typical "corner shop" grocery and newspaper type of place or something a bit more specialised? There's definitely a lot of people who still use cash for their corner shop, even if cards are now accepted without the addition of fees.

I pay by card in my corner shop now. I tend to use it for bread, milk, eggs, butter type shops. It was always cash before the pandemic. He hated cards! The pandemic drove different behaviours which haven't gone back and I suspect drove "adapt or die" type responses from small business. Pretty quickly he had signs up in the window welcoming cards and he changed his stock lines to carry more rice and pasta and staples, even fresh veg. From chatting I know his cash sales have not gone back to pre pandemic levels although his overall sales are still vastly up. He loves cards now!

Takeaway.

Do things like just eat drive different behaviours? I cant recall the last time I went IN a takeaway!

 

[johntea]

For people worried about being locked out by their bank...just open another account with a seperate banking company!

In fact I've got to the stage where I have quite a number of current accounts because there are quite good incentives on offer now and again for switching them to other banks, I'll happily take an incentive of a hundred quid or so for 5 minutes work...

 

[LordCreed]

Takeaway.

Is part of this the assumption that takeaways only take cash? Part of the reason I stick to online ordering.

 

[Spamcan81]

Is part of this the assumption that takeaways only take cash? Part of the reason I stick to online ordering.

Given that 90% of turnover during the height of the pandemic was card, if there was that assumption previously, it's not widespread now. It's just that a significant number of my customers have chosen to revert to cash.

 

[Dave W]

My non league club was the last in the league to still impose a ”minimum charge” to use card in the bar (I‘ve visited all of the other 21) and it was roundly, and rightly, condemned as daft. This was the last place I regularly withdrew cash for.

I don’t carry cash unless I absolutely have to and pay any that I receive in to my bank as soon as practicable, so I heavily begrudge places and services that don’t take card.

(in practice, I just don’t really care, but defending cash as some virtuous example of why it was all better in the old days does rather turn me off it further...)

(EDITED to remove a reference to mod-edited posts upthread.)