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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cashless everything is annoying and inconvenient

230 replies

JazbayGrapes · 05/07/2023 21:09

Went to London last weekend. A concert in Hyde Park. Nobody in food/drink stalls wanted to take cash. Is this a new normal?

OP posts:
Hollyppp · 05/07/2023 21:20

JazbayGrapes · 05/07/2023 21:18

Why do you struggle - do you not have cards and only have cash (where from? Surely a bank?)

I just prefer cash. I do use card but i leave a limited amount on there in case its stolen and swiped.
I live in Bristol where totally cashless are still unpopular, at least my part of town.

You could always top up your card every day or couple of days if you like leaving a limited amount on there?

i think Bristol will go the same way as London at some point!

Sissynova · 05/07/2023 21:21

JazbayGrapes · 05/07/2023 21:18

Why do you struggle - do you not have cards and only have cash (where from? Surely a bank?)

I just prefer cash. I do use card but i leave a limited amount on there in case its stolen and swiped.
I live in Bristol where totally cashless are still unpopular, at least my part of town.

Why are you more concerned about a card being stolen but not cash?
There is zero way of tracing the cash or getting anything back if it’s stolen which isn’t the same for a card.So

So you keep a limited amount in your account incase it’s stolen and then carry a massive wad of cash around?
Some people prefer cash for various reasons but there is no logic that cards are less convenient. It’s not really subjective that carrying cash, withdrawing from a bank account regularly, dealing with change etc is all more inconvenient than tapping a card. Weird reasons.

LaLoose · 05/07/2023 21:21

JazbayGrapes · 05/07/2023 21:19

Cash is dirty, unhygienic, inconvenient, less secure if you lose it you lose it, harder to track and budget with cash (I don't understand people who say the opposite).

and who is a conspiracy theorist now again?

That’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s an opinion.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 05/07/2023 21:21

To the original question…I prefer being able to choose how I pay. Cash is way easier for things like festivals and events. Cards are easier at restaurants and other things.

I hate having a million small transactions to wade through when I’m glancing through bank transactions. I also would rather tip in cash vs on a card.

the80sweregreat · 05/07/2023 21:22

Maybe they want to get shot of the mint eventually?
Think of the savings

Goldfoot · 05/07/2023 21:22

Yes, it's been normal since Covid really. The last remaining cash only cafes etc round here switched to preferring cards then.

It's not inconvenient though.

AuntieMarys · 05/07/2023 21:23

I haven't used cash for about 3 years.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 05/07/2023 21:24

I don't like it and I find it is much easier to overspend with a debit card than with cash.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 05/07/2023 21:24

Card only is far more convenient than cash only. I ordered a takeaway for collection the other day, when I got there it was cash only. I ended up walking away with nothing. That would have cost the restaurant as I'd made some changes to dishes (no mushrooms, etc).

Ideally most places would be cash or card, but cash only is such a pain in the arse

Goldfoot · 05/07/2023 21:25

HellsTeethandBucketsofBlood · 05/07/2023 21:16

Where has this myth that dealing with cash is expensive come from? Its card transactions that take a percentage of the price. Cash is free? Banks just get richer from every small purchase you make

Cash is much more expensive if businesses pass it through their bank accounts. Often saves them more than the transaction fees if they don't....

YourNameGoesHere · 05/07/2023 21:26

Card is way more convenient in my opinion. I'm really surprised you're not used to using your card for most things especially since COVID. Literally can only think of 2 places near me that don't take card and both are takeaways. Everything else: shops, children's groups or clubs, festivals, feck even most pta events etc now take cards.

Duckypond · 05/07/2023 21:26

I think cashless is where it’s going, I do use contactless most of the time but I find it a bit disconcerting that every tiny transaction I make is recorded.

XenoBitch · 05/07/2023 21:27

I prefer cash. I draw an amount out and it does me for the week. I find it easier to budget that way.

the80sweregreat · 05/07/2023 21:27

My local Chinese take away only takes cash too
I used to be able to write a cheque , but that stopped.
It's always full in there.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 05/07/2023 21:27

HunterHearstHelmsley · 05/07/2023 21:24

Card only is far more convenient than cash only. I ordered a takeaway for collection the other day, when I got there it was cash only. I ended up walking away with nothing. That would have cost the restaurant as I'd made some changes to dishes (no mushrooms, etc).

Ideally most places would be cash or card, but cash only is such a pain in the arse

If I'm at a gig or festival, it's so much easier being card only. Otherwise you end up with ridiculous queues. If I'm somewhere like a restaurant or shop, then having the cash option makes more sense.

SlipperyLizard · 05/07/2023 21:28

I went to the Good Food show a few years ago and some of the vendors only took cash, meaning we couldn’t buy their produce - this was at a time when izettle etc were well established, so no reason for them not to. I wasn’t going to withdraw a load of cash before I went on the off chance I might like to buy from someone who was behind the times.

Then a couple of years ago I went to a festival that was “card only” at the bar until all the systems failed and they had to take cash - leading to massive queues at the cash machines!

I can see the benefits to the customer of businesses taking both, but the idea that cash is “free” to bank is wrong, my DH’s business account charged a fee for cash banked. There’s also the inconvenience/risk of taking cash to the bank (or keeping it on the premises).

EmeraldFox · 05/07/2023 21:29

It was the opposite at a recent food and drink festival near me. Two stalls said they preferred cash and no 'card only' signs or similar. There is very poor mobile reception in town, which affects mobile payment machines.

Herbiebanannas · 05/07/2023 21:30

HellsTeethandBucketsofBlood · 05/07/2023 21:16

Where has this myth that dealing with cash is expensive come from? Its card transactions that take a percentage of the price. Cash is free? Banks just get richer from every small purchase you make

It’s much more expensive to put cash into a business account Han take card payments.

That is before you factor in all the time it takes to count, go to the bank etc.

Of course, if people are running a dodgy business or just using a personal account it might be cheaper to use cash, but not for a legitimate business.

SwedishEdith · 05/07/2023 21:30

I got a cab at Christmas (not Uber) and he didn't have a card machine. Must have had to scrabble for cash in the house from stuff grandparents had given to the kids but it was such a nuisance. I don't even have a purse now. Cash is heavy.

birdsongismyfave · 05/07/2023 21:31

When I get paid in cash I have to take it to the bank which is a security risk for me until it's banked. It takes longer to make a trip to the branch to pay it in (have to drive to town, pay for parking, walk to high street, do the banking) compared to receiving card payments which just transfer automatically.

Tosire · 05/07/2023 21:31

It's not the norm for me. I think cash is important for kids to learn how to save, spend and be sensible with money. I also use it for things like days out, nights out, markets, fairs, shopping trips so I can keep a reasonable track of roughly how much has been spent. Other people may prefer to use cards. That's up to them. I want to continue to use cash.

the80sweregreat · 05/07/2023 21:33

We will miss it when it's gone
Which it may well be in a few years time
Along with the rest of the branches of banks

DappledThings · 05/07/2023 21:33

Cash only is much more inconvenient. I've got the school fair on Saturday. Before then I'll need to make a deliberate trip to somewhere with a cash point, break any notes and ask politely for change in coins with potentially pointless purchases just to have coins I can split between the DC.

If all the stalls got card readers it would be much easier.

TinyPurpleFishes · 05/07/2023 21:34

I go to the same soft play once a week and the once heaving cafe is now very quiet since they changed to card only. Surely all places like this must be losing so many sales? I found a few pound coins at the bottom of my bag the other day and thought I’d treat myself to a fancy brownie on my way home from work but they wouldn’t accept my money, was a very sad day!

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 05/07/2023 21:34

I can't remember last time I paid cash for anything. I think it's much better use card. I can account for of my spending with little effort unlike with cash.