This is another reason why you should always Carry Cash

birdy said:
There seem to be more cases where a business will add a surcharge for using a credit card. This irks me so I tend to carry cash for those instances. I use my credit card when I can, just to get the cash back.
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There's a small grocery store within walking distance of our timeshare that charges a fee for using credit, so I always pay cash there. I don't spend enough to worry about losing out on cashback rewards. I've also patronized a couple of other small businesses that do the same. I can understand it because it costs merchants to accept credit.
 
I live in a practically cash-free world. I don't know anyone who uses cash for anything any more. On the rare occasions where someone just needs a very small amount, such as a dollar bill, they'll take it out, looking amused, and usually say, "I can't remember the last time I used cash!"

People hardly shop in stores any more, for that matter, other than food shopping. Nearly everything is bought online. Good or bad, that's the reality of the way we live now.

I have to say, I like it. I enjoy the convenience of using the card for everything (I pay it off every month, so it costs me nothing). It's a lot easier than running to the ATM all the time to get cash.
 

hollydolly said:
Given that the governments are doing their level best to stop people using cash, and creating a dystopian society where everyone uses card, and ultimately the control of every citizens finances.. this is another major reason whey people should always carry cash...
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Yeah, this is one of the conspiracies that does the rounds. Of course, no government has tried to stop us using cash. Let's compare cash with electronic....

You know who wants to switch to cards and other ways of paying? Customers. Normal every day people.

The convenience, and relative safety, of card transactions and other methods of paying (such as Paypal) is far beyond what cash offers. Better yet, I can track every single penny, at any time of the day or night, in something approaching real time. I never have to go into a bank, and I don't need to use ATM's. I have more control over Direct Debits than ever before, and I can do international money transfers as easily as buying a soda from the corner store.

It's not dystopian, it's simply convenient, easy, and keeps you informed at all times. What's dehumanizing about using the simplest method to pay for something? In fact, what is humanizing about carrying a bunch of metal and paper in your purse?

Not to mention, it's estimated that 80% of bank notes in the UK have traces of drugs on them. Cocaine is on 11% of them. Yuck.

Cash is always an option, but increasingly people are choosing other methods of payment due to convenience and safety concerns. Not a conspiracy by the government, just a natural urge to be in control of your own finances. We live in the Digital/information Age, and that's simply progress, imo.
 
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Speculating aloud here, but wondering if U.S. embracing card purchases over cash isn't a result of currency inflation over the decades? Current U.S. bill denominations fall far short of meeting even casual purchases at local brick and mortar stores. And coins? They've fallen even further out of favor.

Thinking for cash to ever make a comeback is to re-value/de-value the dollar? Which in the real world will never happen. So, in the end, guess the move to cashless is becoming the inevitable alternative.
 
I am quite amazed how many people here underestimate the dangers of a cashless society. You should know the Chinese social credit system. From the German Wikipedia:
"The Social Credit System is an online rating or "social scoring" system in the People's Republic of China. It represents an attempt at total control of the population by awarding "points" for desirable behavior (from the point of view of the ruling Chinese Communist Party) and withdrawing them for negative behavior. The system goes hand in hand with quasi-ubiquitous surveillance, the data from which feeds a large part of the points awarded. To this end, the social and political behaviour of private individuals, companies and other organizations (such as non-governmental organizations) is analysed to determine their "social reputation." Anyone who achieves a score level that is too low must expect restrictions in everyday life, such as access to social services or the search for a job or training."
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Only a cashless system enables the government to cut every citizen from the goods he needs for life. Without money you're a 'Mister Nothing'. In Germany the bank accounts of critics of the government have been closed, and this even several times. For example of Boris Reitschuster, a well renowned journalist who even left Germany and lives in Montenegro for some time now.
Startseite - reitschuster.de

A 15-minute city at first sounds positive, if you read that all activities and services (supermarket, bank, doctors, cafés and restaurants, leisure areas and so on) are within a range of a 15 minute walk. BUT: Do you remember the curfews during the Corona plandemic? With the concept of a 15 minute city it would be possible to prohibit leaving this radius. It would be possible to ban cars at all. Why own a car if you can reach all facilites within a 15 minute walk?

In fact 15-minute cities means battery caging for people.

And a word regarding the complete surveillance. In Germany we have the concept of "smart cities". Some years ago the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection published the "Smart City Charta"
There you read:
"Post-voting society
Since we know exactly what people do and want there is less need for elections, majority decisions or votes. Behavioral data can replace democracy as society's feedback system" (p. 43).

But after the publication was popular outrage especially on this and other proposals of the concept. Some time later the "Smart City Charta" was shortened and remarks as this one were cancelled.

smart city charta.jpg
 
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hollydolly said:
Information, independent thought, and freedom will eventually be restricted..(information is already severely restricted in many places in the west and especially so in the East ) and sadly the majority don't realise it..... . A figurehead or concept will eventually worshipped by the citizens of the society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. ( and there is nowhere more watched than China and the UK ) and eventually Citizens will have a fear of the outside world.
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Wise words. So it is.
 
I cashed £100 for my purse today in case. I only keep around £100 available in the house generally. I hope we don't have problems at the weekend.
What basically is causing it or are we not being told? I thought it was only delivered shopping affected.
 
Rose65 said:
I cashed £100 for my purse today in case. I only keep around £100 available in the house generally. I hope we don't have problems at the weekend.
What basically is causing it or are we not being told? I thought it was only delivered shopping affected.
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No it eas all the checkouts, as well as delivered shopping orders.. even the instore handsets. The only tills that weren't affected were those taking Cash.

Supposed to be all fixed now, but IMO this is just the start of things to come... that was Sainsbury, Tesco AND McDonalds all in one week... never ever been known to happen before..

I'm like you Rose, I always keep around £100 in cash in the house for emergencies.. crazy not to.. what for example that it was all the Petrol Pumps that went down which take card?.. no-one would get to work or appointments without having cash..
 
A Mail I got from one of the supermarkets with regard the Card payment downtime

Dear xxxx
I’m writing to update you on the technical issue that has affected our Groceries Online deliveries and some services in our stores this weekend.

Firstly, I want to apologise to you and every customer that has been affected by the issue and to thank you for your patience and for bearing with us. I really understand how important it is for everyone to be able to shop with us conveniently and easily, whenever and however you want to, and I am sorry if you have not received your usual service from Sainsbury’s this weekend.

I am pleased to confirm that all the affected systems are now back online. Our stores continue to be open as usual and in-store payment services, including contactless, are fully operational.

Our online ordering system is still working as normal and any customers whose Groceries Online order was not delivered can place a new order now for a delivery any time from tomorrow. We will automatically add a voucher to your online wallet in the next few days to apologise for the inconvenience.

Our contact centre teams are working very hard to do everything they can to help customers who have been affected by the issue and need further assistance. Thank you for bearing with us while we work to answer any specific questions you may have as soon as possible.

I would also like to thank all our colleagues who have worked so hard to resolve this issue and support our customers. I’m proud of the way all our team have stepped up to manage the unexpected challenges that we know so many of our customers have experienced this weekend.

On behalf of everyone here at Sainsbury’s, thank you for your patience and understanding and, as always, thank you for choosing to shop with us.


Simon Roberts
CEO, Sainsbury's
 
George1959 said:
I am quite amazed how many people here underestimate the dangers of a cashless society. You should know the Chinese social credit system. From the German Wikipedia:
"The Social Credit System is an online rating or "social scoring" system in the People's Republic of China. It represents an attempt at total control of the population by awarding "points" for desirable behavior (from the point of view of the ruling Chinese Communist Party) and withdrawing them for negative behavior. The system goes hand in hand with quasi-ubiquitous surveillance, the data from which feeds a large part of the points awarded. To this end, the social and political behaviour of private individuals, companies and other organizations (such as non-governmental organizations) is analysed to determine their "social reputation." Anyone who achieves a score level that is too low must expect restrictions in everyday life, such as access to social services or the search for a job or training."
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Only a cashless system enables the government to cut every citizen from the goods he needs for life. Without money you're a 'Mister Nothing'. In Germany the bank accounts of critics of the government have been closed, and this even several times. For example of Boris Reitschuster, a well renowned journalist who even left Germany and lives in Montenegro for some time now.
Startseite - reitschuster.de

A 15-minute city at first sounds positive, if you read that all activities and services (supermarket, bank, doctors, cafés and restaurants, leisure areas and so on) are within a range of a 15 minute walk. BUT: Do you remember the curfews during the Corona plandemic? With the concept of a 15 minute city it would be possible to prohibit leaving this radius. It would be possible to ban cars at all. Why own a car if you can reach all facilites within a 15 minute walk?

In fact 15-minute cities means battery caging for people.

And a word regarding the complete surveillance. In Germany we have the concept of "smart cities". Some years ago the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection published the "Smart City Charta"
There you read:
"Post-voting society
Since we know exactly what people do and want there is less need for elections, majority decisions or votes. Behavioral data can replace democracy as society's feedback system" (p. 43).

But after the publication was popular outrage especially on this and other proposals of the concept. Some time later the "Smart City Charta" was shortened and remarks as this one were cancelled.
Click to expand...

I think it's well known that the Chinese government is heavy of surveillance. I don't think that's the model for the rest of the world. Although I'd remind you, you are held to your credit rating in the US and UK. There are rating companies that are looking at everything you do and working out your worthiness for future credit. Not to mention, what China is doing isn't totally dependent on so called "digital currency".

Less cash is an inevitability. I'm not surprised a good number on an oldies forum hold on to cash, but I'll suggest that if this was a forum of teens, they'd likely not bother. We all grew up in a world where cash was king, but there's no way that's the future.
 
January said:
I'm amazed at how many people read dangers that are not there.

If you want to use cash do so , I do myself more than most people I know.

But only because it suits me,not because of some great world conspiracy
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Exactly. Cash has almost no benefits against managing everything online at this point. Bank branches are closing. ATM's are becoming fewer, and are susceptible to fraud. Online banking offers feature/services we could only have dreamed about 20 years ago. I'm not sure there's any gain to holding cash at this point.

What would I do if the only way was to pay cash? I'd either go without, or I'd get the service/product somewhere else.
 
ATM'S are easy to find here - that isnt a problem.

Cash has benifits to me - easier to manage day to day finances for me. And some places avoiding card surcharge.
I understand why places do that, they need to cover their own costs, but I then pay cash.

But I am not suggesting everyone do this,( other than the suggestion of having small amount of cash as backup) or thinking I am heroically saving the world from government domination - just saying it works for me.
 
As someone often out on the road multi-days, I have always had several hundred bucks in my wallet. People, especially in rural areas are always more willing to accept cash payments for obvious reasons. Never worry about strong arm robbery types even though I sometimes roam at night about sketchy urban streets, because even though I am a small older man now, with earlobe long hair thin and fit, and a walk style like rock musicians, for example Ronny James Dio, few would ever choose to even approach me.
 

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