To think retailers should think about going card only.

[Ginnyrellas]

How likely is It that the corona virus can be passed on via cash handling?
it is undoubtably the dirtiest thing on planet earth and when you think about how many hands can pass over a simple note on a daily basis would it be unreasonable to think this could lead to the spread of COVID-19?

Ginny I have a few children :) Yes I see your point about takeaways......I can remember the last time I paid cash for a takeaway , it was last week! There's a big sign in ours saying "no cards or cheques, cash only".

I only really use my card online, I take money out each week and pay cash day to day. We order groceries online for delivery, so it’s just bits and bobs otherwise. Funnily enough though, I met a friend for lunch today, tried to pay contactless, and the machine failed.

which app is that?

Willow2017 Your bank’s app.

You can "go on the app" if you have a smart phone....

PopcornZoo Yep. Technology isn’t going away, it’s getting better and faster and everyone needs to learn how to use it while they have the freedom to now before they are forced into doing so when older ways and technologies are defunct.

Would cash be any more germ ridden than, for example touch screen self checkouts or ticket machines? I know the latter can be cleaned but how frequently, how many people touch them before they are cleaned?

One of the shops in my town have said cards only this week. There is a sign outside saying that you have to sanitise your hands on entering the shop (wall pump inside) and all transactions are contactless only.

I hope that this is a small shop where you dont spend more than £30 at each transaction Canyon.
Very few shops would be able to cope with such a request... Including every single supermarket.

Re the santising before going in a shop.... I went to a hospital appointment this week. No one ever asked me to sanitize my hands. There was nothing different, no posters or anything. And this was a department used by people with serious illnesses (who wouod be very affected by the CV).
I am feeling lost as to sanitizing your hands entering a shop is totally over the top or if its the "official' line that is totally out of touch

I would have another huge issue about stopping using cash altogether.
This would be the perfect excuse to tell people no one needs cash anymore. Ever.
And I think that woud be a very bad move.

@NomDeDieu
most supermarkets and retailers have lifted the £30 contactless limit if you wish to pay on your phone or even your watch, I think it’s madness personally but there are ways around the £30 contactless cap if you’re techy and that way inclined that is.

heartsonacake not everyone wants or can afford a smartphone. I think people should have a choice. No, technology isn't "going away" but that doesn't mean we should all have to use it.

@NomDeDieu maybe it is over the top but they are very scared of the impact that the virus could have on their company and so are being extra careful. I can spend up to £100 on my Garmin watch.

That is IF you can pay with your phone @Ginnyrellas. I dont and know many people like me. (becuse for one, I would be very concerned about 'loosing' my phone and someone being able to use it as a payment methid well over £30)....

most supermarkets and retailers have lifted the £30 contactless limit if you wish to pay on your phone or even your watch, I think it’s madness personally but there are ways around the £30 contactless cap if you’re techy and that way inclined that is

Afaik the £30 contacts limit can't be changed by individual retailers, isn't there some kind of legislation that sets it. Apple pay doesn't have the limit but I think the only way round with contacts is to split the total into smaller amounts. Unless I've missed a change in the legislation.

not everyone wants or can afford a smartphone. I think people should have a choice. No, technology isn't "going away" but that doesn't mean we should all have to use it.

PopcornZoo Eventually it won’t matter if you want to or not as it will become a necessity. Smartphones are becoming more affordable every day.

Think of all the elderly people now who never got on board as technology grew and are now struggling. They put themselves in that position by not learning as technology evolved.

Anyone who willingly does that and remains ignorant will have to face the consequences of that.

I would be very concerned about 'loosing' my phone and someone being able to use it as a payment methid well over £30)....

coconuttelegraph That’s not a legitimate concern; they would need your face or your fingerprint to be able to access your cards on your phone.

Those worried about advanced technology and using their cards on their phone etc. are usually concerned because they are ignorant of how it all works. Knowledge is very important and ignorance is not a defence or an excuse.

@heartsonacake I want to use cash. It doesn't get "frittered", I know what I have and where it goes. It works for me.

I’ve just had a prime example of this at work.

Customer comes in.
Can I have X please
Yes that’s £20 please
The customer then proceeded to wipe their nose with their hands. Reach into their wallet and hand the note to me with the same hand he’s just wiped his snoot with.
🤮

A cash ban around here wouldn't work - dodgy signals, and we're in the wilds of Berkshire/ Oxfordshire borders.

Think this can be down to personal choice - if you're worried, just use your card. Costs me 1.85% of the total payment each time someone uses my card machine; a small cost but the impact mounts up

My son works in retail at the tills as well as handing cash for the safe.
I'd like to see companies that have touch screens for customers clean them more obviously too. Eg McDonalds have touch screens for ordering as well as tablets for kids

Those worried about advanced technology and using their cards on their phone etc. are usually concerned because they are ignorant of how it all works. Knowledge is very important and ignorance is not a defence or an excuse.
Or perhaps that's a reason why they are concerned?

I want to use cash. It doesn't get "frittered", I know what I have and where it goes. It works for me.

TheFormidableMrsC That’s okay; you have the ability to use cash for now.

Or perhaps that's a reason why they are concerned?

PopcornZoo If they are concerned because their knowledge is lacking, they need to educate themselves (and would have been better doing so when they were younger and most everyone was learning and navigating at the same time).

As I said, ignorance is not a defence or an excuse.

Did I get it right that people are ignorant if they think using your phone as a payment method can be risky?? And that if they think so it’s because they dont understand anything about ‘how those things work’

heartsonacake no, what I meant to say was that perhaps people are concerned because they DO know how it works.