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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cash - am I out of touch?

291 replies

Anewuser · 20/04/2024 08:49

AIBU thinking I should still be able to use cash?

I accept that most places, and people, find it easier using cards but shouldn’t you still be able to use cash occasionally?

Went out for lunch the other day. The bill came to over £100 but as it was something planned, I had cash. The pub said whilst they can take cash, they don’t give change. Since when was this a thing.

At work, when people get married/have babies/leave etc, we do a collection. You always used to stick your contribution in a pot or envelope but now you have to do it online. Not everyone gives now because it’s obvious how much they’ve contributed.

AINBU, that I should still occasionally be able to use cash or AIBU cash has had its day.

OP posts:
NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 19:12

@tuvamoodyson why the nastiness? It is just unnecessary.

tuvamoodyson · 20/04/2024 19:09

ToffeePennie · 20/04/2024 10:03

Like I said I’m very horrible, but if they don’t want my hard earned cash, that’s ok, I vote with my feet and use other places.

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They’ll be delighted!

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 19:04

@BeretRaspberry I think cash or cards suit different people and different kind of businesses. The larger the business, the easier cards become.

shellyleppard · 20/04/2024 19:03

A few places are cash only in our town..... hairdressers/cafe and the butchers. The butchers especially appreciate people paying by cash as their bank charges them every time people pay by card!!!

BeretRaspberry · 20/04/2024 19:03

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 19:01

@BeretRaspberry Someone upthread says they have no issue with this. I ran a business before covid and also had no issue dealing with cash. It depends on the amounts of cash and the location of your business.

And others say the opposite. I suppose that boils down to preference. It would seem neither option is better than the other.

yetanothernayme · 20/04/2024 19:03

We cannot accept cash at work. I mean, literally have no system in place to take it. I feel for people that would prefer to use cash, but as a frontline customer facing staff member I have no say in the issue.

Please do not get stroppy with the person taking the payment, it is usually not their decision and there is nothing they can do about it. My DM behaves like this, seems proud of herself, yet she has a card and is quite capable of using it.

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 19:01

@BeretRaspberry Someone upthread says they have no issue with this. I ran a business before covid and also had no issue dealing with cash. It depends on the amounts of cash and the location of your business.

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 19:00

@greengreyblue No one is saying you have to carry cash.

BeretRaspberry · 20/04/2024 18:57

exomoon · 20/04/2024 18:10

Extortionate card handler fees by the likes of Visa, etc.

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What about the fees and time spent for paying into a business bank account. Assuming you can find a branch open.

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:53

I don’t want to carry £100 cash in my bag or pocket. I can cancel a stolen card.

SkyBloo · 20/04/2024 18:48

I find no cash much easier.

I never have any cash!

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:46

I rarely use cash as I said upthread. But, I think while it’s legal tender, ALL establishments should accept it in the same way that ALL establishments should accept cards/ contactless.

HumanRightsAreHumanRights · 20/04/2024 18:44

I don't use shops or small businesses that won't take cash and it has worked out really well for me.

I hate the tap to pay cards and completely stopped paying by card in town when my bank forced me to have a card with that on.
Have never ever used it since except to withdraw money at the cashpoint and just use cash, which has saved me a fortune as I rarely impulse buy anything now.

I have a card I use online, but offline it's cash or no sale for me.

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 18:40

Mumsnet is not representative of the population as a whole. Do you know why we still have cheques? It is because charities lobbied the government not to abolish them. They are still a key source of income for some charities.
I do not use cheques, but so what? I do not care that some people still want to use them.

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 18:37

@greengreyblue because it is prime territory for the middle classes. Cafe near me that is cash only is thriving. Whose anecdote trumps?
Businesses will do what is best for them depending on location, type of business and customers.

SocksAndTheCity · 20/04/2024 18:26

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:08

I’ve had the same £10 note in my purse for months. I use a £1 coin for the supermarket trolley but hardly ever need cash. Our work collections used to be cash but they’re now a bank transfer too. I use cards or ApplePay. It’s fabulous. Most people I know that use cash are self employed…..

Yes, I'm self employed and some of my clients prefer to pay with cash; I find it useful for budgeting when it comes to things like grocery shopping, so I keep out what I need and bank the rest. It's no hassle at all.

Have we had the ever-predictable posts about how all business that accept cash are tax dodging scum yet? I haven't had chance to read the whole thread.

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:16

I frequent a beach in Devon. There are two cafes. One only takes cash. Guess which one isn’t thriving?

Juniperberries200 · 20/04/2024 18:15

I always try to use cash. Use it or lose it!

BobnLen · 20/04/2024 18:15

We had to use cash the other day in a cafe, there was a note on the door saying cash only

ilovesooty · 20/04/2024 18:15

ToffeePennie · 20/04/2024 10:03

Like I said I’m very horrible, but if they don’t want my hard earned cash, that’s ok, I vote with my feet and use other places.

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Voting with your feet is one thing. Dumping your shopping is another.

exomoon · 20/04/2024 18:10

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:09

@Seeline theres a reason for that.

Extortionate card handler fees by the likes of Visa, etc.

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:09

@Seeline theres a reason for that.

NoisySnail · 20/04/2024 18:08

Seeline · 20/04/2024 18:03

And yet both my local chippie and local Chinese only take cash. They don't seem to find it a hassle.

There are always people keen to claim that no business wants to take cash as it is a massive hassle, in spite of the existence of businesses that encourage and welcome cash. I mean the evidence that what they are saying is wrong is right in front of their faces.

greengreyblue · 20/04/2024 18:08

I’ve had the same £10 note in my purse for months. I use a £1 coin for the supermarket trolley but hardly ever need cash. Our work collections used to be cash but they’re now a bank transfer too. I use cards or ApplePay. It’s fabulous. Most people I know that use cash are self employed…..

exomoon · 20/04/2024 18:05

Peonies12 · 20/04/2024 18:02

Cash is a massive hassle for most businesses, especially small ones, and it’s a tiny minority using it. I can’t even remember when I last had any cash.

I don't think it is for small businesses. Recently a small restaurant charged me too much via card and refunded me the excess as cash. They were very upset at having to give up their cash.