To think that we are being forced into a cashless society?

[rockingthelook]

My parents really don't like to use debit cards, especially the contactless ones, however , due to C19 this seems to be the way forward? They like to take their money from the bank and use the cash rather than cards, really don't want to bank or pay for anything online because they don't trust it, but everything seems to be geared towards contactless. They had a walk today and wanted to buy a cup of tea from a takeaway cafe and couldn't, not only because the place wouldn't take cash, but the cards had to be contactless, and their cards aren't (they asked not to have this feature as frightened of them being stolen and used) It seems to be that the banks etc are using the C19 situation to force things through, my mum was even told by the cashier in the bank the other day to use the cash machine in the bank rather than get the cash over the counter because of the 'risks', fgs it's THEIR money, can't believe Age Concern/UK aren't all over this!

Leave a token under the pillow in place of cash like a small toy and put money in the bank for them.

As tough as it is for them, we can't let fear of the unfamiliar, unwillingness to adapt and the paranoia of the tinfoil hat brigade hinder progress. It's not that at all. As I posted upthread, the Swedes have had a rethink and are now ensuring resilience by having cash
www.cashmatters.org/blog/swedish-government-expected-to-pass-law-requiring-all-banks-to-handle-cash/
cashessentials.org/after-sweden-the-uk-will-protect-the-future-of-cash-by-legislation/

Not everyone can afford, or wants, an Apple watch or a smartphone with which to pay. Cheques are also needed when dealing with the DVLA. When I reimported my car to the UK when moving back from Belgium last year, the only way to pay the car tax and fees was by cheque, unless I sent postal orders!

My bank sent me a non contactless card at my request. I much prefer to use cash for everything where possible, and always keep cash at home in case of emergency.

I don't think banks would advocate anything which purely benefits customers so I wouldn't want a cashless society. It's obviously better for them though.

I support adults with learning disabilities - most of them don’t have cards and use cash only when out and about, especially those who live in residential homes, where they will be given ‘£10 for the day’ on a day out for example.

Much better to go cashless!

I use cash where ever possible I have noticed more and more places are now taking cash when during the beginning of reopening they didn’t.

I have spent £370 in cash in the last week in various places, and have plenty more cash stored at home that I intend to use from now on.

I was in wilko the other day and the queue for paying by cash was all the way round the shop the card tills had a couple of people in each line! Was the same in b & m.

I just don't understand why people would want to give up on one of their options. Freedom shouldn't be traded for convenience.

I had to get some cash out for the first time in months last week, and they’ve already closed and boarded up a few cash points - I guess due to lack of use. Generally I’m for it but then need to think how we help those more vulnerable, so homeless people, some elderly people, I’m sure there is more.

It has been obvious for a while that the powers that be want us all to go cashless, and this pandemic has provided the perfect opportunity for this to happen. I was very anti contactless when it first came out due to concerns about the card getting into the wrong hands, and wasn't there something about people being able to use devices to 'read' the data contained within the card? However, I gradually started using it, and with the pandemic I have hardly used cash at all, but that's not to say I am not still uneasy about it. What happens when the technology fails, as in the example cited by a PP above?

@MrsHuntGeneNotJeremyObviously

I just don't understand why people would want to give up on one of their options. Freedom shouldn't be traded for convenience.

Well said. Use card all the time if you want, but don't take away other people's choices.

What happens when the technology fails, as in the example cited by a PP above?

If the power fails then you can't pay in cash either as the tills won't work. That happened to our city during Storm Desmond. Widespread power cuts for 2-3 days. Shops simply closed. Security systems wouldn't work, fridge/freezer contents were thrown out, no heating nor lighting. The fact that cards couldn't be used was pretty low down the list!

As tough as it is for them, we can't let fear of the unfamiliar, unwillingness to adapt and the paranoia of the tinfoil hat brigade hinder progress.

I am happy with cash, not fearful or unwilling to adapt and I don't think getting rid of cash is progress.

When I re open my business in August, I will not be accepting cash payments. Its dirty, smelly stuff at the best of times never mind during a pandemic.
If customers don't like my policies, they can taken their custom elsewhere. I haven't been shielding for nearly 5 months only to catch a virus from dirty bank notes when I go back to work.

@Kazzyhoward

What happens when the technology fails, as in the example cited by a PP above?

If the power fails then you can't pay in cash either as the tills won't work. That happened to our city during Storm Desmond. Widespread power cuts for 2-3 days. Shops simply closed. Security systems wouldn't work, fridge/freezer contents were thrown out, no heating nor lighting. The fact that cards couldn't be used was pretty low down the list!

It's not just about power going out, though. Sometimes banking systems go down and cards and ATM's don't work, but tills and electricity are fine and shops can still take cash.

I remember when loads of Natwest and RBS customers couldn't use their cards at all. If you had no cash on you, you were fucked.

@Sugarplumfairy65 wear gloves?!

Yep it's happening

I remember when loads of Natwest and RBS customers couldn't use their cards at all. If you had no cash on you, you were fucked.

Or you could use a card from a different bank. I have two credit cards, one Visa, one Mastercard, plus a debit card for my main bank account and a Monza card for small purchases. All different banks/providers, so highly unlikely a failure with one bank/network would affect all four!

@Kazzyhoward

I remember when loads of Natwest and RBS customers couldn't use their cards at all. If you had no cash on you, you were fucked.

Or you could use a card from a different bank. I have two credit cards, one Visa, one Mastercard, plus a debit card for my main bank account and a Monza card for small purchases. All different banks/providers, so highly unlikely a failure with one bank/network would affect all four!

True, but lots of people just aren't that technically competent.

I just don't understand why you'd advocate to take away other people's choices. If people want to pay cash, just let them. It doesn't affect you.

@Kazzyhoward not everyone has cards from different banks or credit cards. I can name at least 10 people I know who don’t have more then 1 card.

Wouldn’t have thought the older generation do, I know my grandparents only use cash.

@Rinoachicken

I support adults with learning disabilities - most of them don’t have cards and use cash only when out and about, especially those who live in residential homes, where they will be given ‘£10 for the day’ on a day out for example.

Yes, but things change with time don't they. Couldn't they be taught to use a pre-paid card with small amounts on it?

Banks want everyone to do online banking and cashless an excuse to close branches. I'm sure that the (even) more limited than usual hours that the banks are open during covid will become the new normal and theyll insist it's because people dont need to use the bank....But every time I go in to the bank I'm always behind someone older (who clearly doesnt do online banking) , or someone who has some complicated and/or long winded problem that they need to speak to an actual person for!
I barely go into my bank for personal banking and quite happy to do online banking, however we tend to use the bank a lot more for business banking. Our preferred method of payment is bank transfer and it is so much easier to track what's going in and out, but some customers pay cheque and some pay cash (which we need to pay into the bank)

I’m laughing at all these people whose answer to banking problems is to have two cards from different banks and various credit cards. You do know some people have difficulty opening one account don’t you?
If the banks are keen for us all to go cashless you can be dam sure it’s not for our benefit.

@Fairyliz 👏👏👏👏👏

@Fairyliz

I’m laughing at all these people whose answer to banking problems is to have two cards from different banks and various credit cards. You do know some people have difficulty opening one account don’t you? If the banks are keen for us all to go cashless you can be dam sure it’s not for our benefit.

Yep.

I don't understand why some people are calling it 'progress'. What's progressive about a cashless society??

Daisychains20

@Sugarplumfairy65 hmm wear gloves?!

I don't want to. I would have to change them after each transaction. If people think that their right to pay cash trumps my right to stay safe then they can shop elsewhere. Same goes for my face mask and 2m distance rule.