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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that lots of companies won't take cash

334 replies

sicknote26 · 29/12/2022 01:20

Hi,

Been to lots of places that don't take cash, but starting to get really annoyed at not having the option of paying by cash.

Been to a couple of places today, first a well known activity place and a well known restaurant. Both completely cashless.

Aibu or is this a sigh of the times now.

What about the older generation who prefer to pay with cash.

OP posts:
taxguru · 30/12/2022 11:50

palygold · 30/12/2022 11:09

And shops & petrol stations need power to sell stuff!

This always comes up in these threads. Many of us have back up generators, where our businesses are situated, in rural areas and blackouts occur.

That's fine if it happens regularly for short time periods.

Do you have enough petrol/diesel to power your generator for several days?

Would a business in a city centre with no history of power outages really have a generator "just in case" and would they even be allowed to, or have somewhere to put it if they were in a shopping centre/arcade without their own "yard"?

essaytwenty · 30/12/2022 12:07

Do you have enough petrol/diesel to power your generator for several days?

If you are set up correctly, you shouldn’t need to. We are not connected to the mains grid at all. At this time of year we need to run a generator for one to two hours a day to charge the battery.

Even so, I don’t think it would be a practical solution for most businesses.

taxguru · 30/12/2022 12:13

essaytwenty · 30/12/2022 12:07

Do you have enough petrol/diesel to power your generator for several days?

If you are set up correctly, you shouldn’t need to. We are not connected to the mains grid at all. At this time of year we need to run a generator for one to two hours a day to charge the battery.

Even so, I don’t think it would be a practical solution for most businesses.

Yes, it would depend on the type of business.

A food shop needs power 24/7 to power the fridges/freezers at relatively high power outputs.

A petrol station needs a lot of power to power the pumps which take a huge amount of power compared to shop lighting and a till, so needs a bigger generator for longer time periods. Likewise a fast food takeaway etc is energy hungry. It was noticeable that the fast food mobile units provided by the electricity firm during our 3 days of power outage were only here for a few hours per day and were driven away each day (presumably to recharge elsewhere or go to buy petrol/diesel in another town).

But, yes, say, a small shop selling non perishables or a small office, could indeed run for quite some time with minimal fuel requirements as their power use is low.

palygold · 30/12/2022 13:15

essaytwenty · 30/12/2022 12:07

Do you have enough petrol/diesel to power your generator for several days?

If you are set up correctly, you shouldn’t need to. We are not connected to the mains grid at all. At this time of year we need to run a generator for one to two hours a day to charge the battery.

Even so, I don’t think it would be a practical solution for most businesses.

We have a similar set up, though our business is connected to the grid also.

Yes @taxguru Though we haven't gone beyond a couple of days before in blackout situation. It's quite a community thing to keep services going.

I don't know what city centre situation is like, though I live in that sort of location most of the year (residential) and have never experienced power cuts.

BrownEyedGhoul · 30/12/2022 13:17

LlynTegid · 30/12/2022 08:34

It is only a few years ago that the whole of the Belgian banking system was down for half a day, and more recently issues at TSB and one other bank.

Ok but then people can't get cash either, so what's the difference?

BrownEyedGhoul · 30/12/2022 13:23

magicthree · 30/12/2022 09:03

Do you think in a major disaster, people would queue up at the supermarket in an orderly manner to pay for stuff, you know, while the disaster unfolds.

I was responding to a previous poster who said people would require food, petrol, and water, not cash - I agree, but apart from the water those things need to be paid for and in a disaster cash may well be the only option. I suspect I know a little bit more about major disasters than you do, and they don't necessarily mean an entire city is going to be wiped out. Those who are not killed or injured still need to eat ffs.

@Ginmonkeyagain - like I said, it's obvious you have never been in a major disaster. People do still need to eat, ,and they possibly still need petrol, but in a major disaster a massive power or connectivity outage could last for days or weeks - you really have no idea. I also never said I rely soley on cash and you don't need to be so patronising. I am perfectly well aware people get their wages and benefits paid into bank accounts - I have worked for over 40 years - but it is a good idea to have some cash in case it's needed.

You missed the point. Any disaster that would knock out electronic banking would also affect atms, so people couldn't get cash. For people who had cash, they wouldn't be able to shop in supermarkets: without electricity they couldn't open or serve anyone, neither could petrol stations .

Yes of course people still need to eat, but they aren't going to Mcdonalds or Tesco to get the food in this disaster!

taxguru · 30/12/2022 13:36

Our town has just had a couple of days with no water before Xmas due to the frozen pipes etc.

It was impossible to buy water, whether cash or card, because the shops quickly ran out after the initial panic buying.

UU set up 3 locations where they were handing out bottled water free of charge.

That's what happens when infrastructure is disrupted. Whether power or water. Money is useless when you can't buy anything anyway and the "authorities" have to make alternative provisions. In a water shortage, that's free bottled water, in long term power outages, it's free hot food. You don't need money and it's worthless anyway if the shops are shut or have run out!

palygold · 30/12/2022 17:37

It was impossible to buy water, whether cash or card, because the shops quickly ran out after the initial panic buying.

Yes, that's a unique example not having any water. Standing pipes usually set up or other distribution methods.

magicthree · 30/12/2022 19:48

@Ginmonkeyagain - would you please read the posts properly before you respond!!!! Anything in bold is a quote from another poster.

I was the poster who said a three day power outage was NOT a major disaster!!! I fully realise what a major disaster is, having lived through one, so I think I am a little more qualified than you to know what happens. Also, where did I mention a 20 pound note? - I'm not even in the UK.

animalprintfree · 30/12/2022 20:27

I think a cashless society makes things more difficult for children rather than ‘older people’. Until they have a smartphone or debit card they have no independence.

sst1234 · 30/12/2022 21:56

Loving all the anecdotes about how a cash machine in someone’s village was unavailable for a full 47 mins….in 1974. Or how the banking system went down for, wait for it, half a day….in another country….a decade ago.

I get that change is hard, but this change has already happened. The time for passive resistance was about about 50 years ago.

LlynTegid · 31/12/2022 07:52

@BrownEyedGhoul because I had cash on me (not a large amount), I was able still to have a meal for example.

The cash as a competitor and hopefully keeping down bank charges to retailers is my main reason though.

Bunchymcbunchface · 31/12/2022 08:06

Gets right on my wick - we don’t take cash….ok no problem I’ll go somewhere that does.

NoelleSnowman · 31/12/2022 08:48

Bunchymcbunchface · 31/12/2022 08:06

Gets right on my wick - we don’t take cash….ok no problem I’ll go somewhere that does.

And you know they don’t care and that it doesn’t impact them at all if you go elsewhere, right?

RampantIvy · 31/12/2022 08:58

sst1234 · 30/12/2022 21:56

Loving all the anecdotes about how a cash machine in someone’s village was unavailable for a full 47 mins….in 1974. Or how the banking system went down for, wait for it, half a day….in another country….a decade ago.

I get that change is hard, but this change has already happened. The time for passive resistance was about about 50 years ago.

Loving reading posts from posters who simply don't believe that the world is different outside of their own sphere.

That said, I can only remember two occasions when the card machine didn't work. One was a local Indian restaurant who told me when I booked to eat there, so we made sure we took enough cash. Another time was at my hairdresser. As I am a regular she was fine with me to go to the ATM and draw out some cash.

Mybestyear · 31/12/2022 09:01

DairyDiary · 29/12/2022 01:22

YABU. There’s literally no downside and about a million upsides.

@DairyDiary - are you being serious?! There are lots of downsides. I’m no conspiracy theorist but there is a total lack of privacy when we use cards rather than cash. We are also more at risk from being hacked and with greater technological dependence, our lives become more and more controlled by others. And what about people in rural areas with poorer internet connection, and those who find it difficult to keep track of money (eg people with undiagnosed/mild dementia, learning difficulty etc). Also much easier for abusers to deny their victim access to finance - if a friend for example wants to help you out and give you 20 quid, you can’t spend it. Abuser can also see exactly how much you are spending and where.

a cashless society also means you could have access to funds cut off - there’s been threads on here recently discussing people being told they can’t have a bank account and not given a reason - what will they do? The homeless? Buskers?

I do tend to carry cash and card and I have genuine concerns about us going totally cashless. But lots of people are gladly sleep walking into this and won’t have any worries until something happens to them.

Mybestyear · 31/12/2022 09:03

RampantIvy · 31/12/2022 08:58

Loving reading posts from posters who simply don't believe that the world is different outside of their own sphere.

That said, I can only remember two occasions when the card machine didn't work. One was a local Indian restaurant who told me when I booked to eat there, so we made sure we took enough cash. Another time was at my hairdresser. As I am a regular she was fine with me to go to the ATM and draw out some cash.

Show quote history

@RampantIvy - I agree with you but would say - those two times you discuss - these simply won’t be an option anymore if we are completely cashless.

Ginmonkeyagain · 31/12/2022 09:20

How does being able to use cash help if your bank account is closed? Unless you keep your wages under your matress you still have to get cash out from your bank account.

Cash doesn't exist independently of the banking system you know.

Everyone is entitled to a basic bank account unless they have been conviced of money laundering.

I don't think cash will fully disappear but it may get harder to use. I mean no one really uses cash except for small trivial purchases these days.

user1497207191 · 31/12/2022 11:23

Bunchymcbunchface · 31/12/2022 08:06

Gets right on my wick - we don’t take cash….ok no problem I’ll go somewhere that does.

They won't care, they'll be glad of not having the time/expense/risk of handling and banking cash.

user1497207191 · 31/12/2022 11:26

Mybestyear · 31/12/2022 09:01

@DairyDiary - are you being serious?! There are lots of downsides. I’m no conspiracy theorist but there is a total lack of privacy when we use cards rather than cash. We are also more at risk from being hacked and with greater technological dependence, our lives become more and more controlled by others. And what about people in rural areas with poorer internet connection, and those who find it difficult to keep track of money (eg people with undiagnosed/mild dementia, learning difficulty etc). Also much easier for abusers to deny their victim access to finance - if a friend for example wants to help you out and give you 20 quid, you can’t spend it. Abuser can also see exactly how much you are spending and where.

a cashless society also means you could have access to funds cut off - there’s been threads on here recently discussing people being told they can’t have a bank account and not given a reason - what will they do? The homeless? Buskers?

I do tend to carry cash and card and I have genuine concerns about us going totally cashless. But lots of people are gladly sleep walking into this and won’t have any worries until something happens to them.

Show quote history

Having a bit of cash in your pocket and spending a few pounds in cash occasionally really, really, won't "solve" the problems you mention. Even if there's a complete banking system wipe out, a bit of cash in your pocket or a few hundred under the bed won't last long.

user1497207191 · 31/12/2022 11:29

@Ginmonkeyagain

I mean no one really uses cash except for small trivial purchases these days.

Except criminals, such as drug dealers, sellers of duty free beer/fags, tradesmen working cash in hand to evade tax, illegal workers, etc. Sounds a good thing to me to get rid of cash and make criminal behaviour harder and easier for the authorities to tackle.

BootifulLoser · 31/12/2022 11:30

I can remember paying for groceries with a cheque and then having to produce a "cheque guarantee card". 💀

Mybestyear · 31/12/2022 17:42

user1497207191 · 31/12/2022 11:26

Having a bit of cash in your pocket and spending a few pounds in cash occasionally really, really, won't "solve" the problems you mention. Even if there's a complete banking system wipe out, a bit of cash in your pocket or a few hundred under the bed won't last long.

Show quote history

@user1497207191 - I’m not talking about a “complete banking system wipeout”. I’m talking about real, everyday challenges some people face.

taxguru · 02/01/2023 12:44

Cash only places are just as annoying as card only places.

In a perfect world, shops etc would accept both, but also customers would be wise to carry both - that way all bases are covered.

NotTooOldPaul · 02/01/2023 17:15

Another great advantage of paying by card is that I can use my debit card almost anywhere in the world. When I travel I don't need to change my money to the local currency and change any left over when I leave. My card simply works anywhere.