Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Some places nowadays only accept card. But this runs the risk of excluding people who want to/can only pay in cash (for whatever reason).
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
Scroll to see replies
I think shops should be forced to accept cash.
They should accept both.
Yes, card is more convenient. But a lot of people prefer to use cash (or some can only use cash).
For example older people, people on low incomes, people who just prefer to use cash as thats how they budget (its easier to overspend on a card).
I may be wrong, but i am sure that the banks charge the place (shop, restaurant etc) for processing card payments anyway. Theres none of that with cash.
They should accept both.
Yes, card is more convenient. But a lot of people prefer to use cash (or some can only use cash).
For example older people, people on low incomes, people who just prefer to use cash as thats how they budget (its easier to overspend on a card).
I may be wrong, but i am sure that the banks charge the place (shop, restaurant etc) for processing card payments anyway. Theres none of that with cash.
Reply 2
No imo, push comes to shove it's literally their business and forcing them to complete a transaction against their wishes goes against their right to refuse service. I think taking cash should be encouraged but I don't think telling owners what they have to accept is fair or realistic (bearing in mind any retailer can simply say 'I think that's fake' to any money and you can't do anything about it or complain to anyone)
Only exceptions I think should be shops that offer other, arguably more essential services, post office counters, pay point machines etc, anything unmanned like parking meters/turnstiles too, daft having them depend on an internet connection.
Only exceptions I think should be shops that offer other, arguably more essential services, post office counters, pay point machines etc, anything unmanned like parking meters/turnstiles too, daft having them depend on an internet connection.
Reply 3
Original post
by Emma:-)I think shops should be forced to accept cash.
They should accept both.
Yes, card is more convenient. But a lot of people prefer to use cash (or some can only use cash).
For example older people, people on low incomes, people who just prefer to use cash as thats how they budget (its easier to overspend on a card).
I may be wrong, but i am sure that the banks charge the place (shop, restaurant etc) for processing card payments anyway. Theres none of that with cash.
They should accept both.
Yes, card is more convenient. But a lot of people prefer to use cash (or some can only use cash).
For example older people, people on low incomes, people who just prefer to use cash as thats how they budget (its easier to overspend on a card).
I may be wrong, but i am sure that the banks charge the place (shop, restaurant etc) for processing card payments anyway. Theres none of that with cash.
Most merchants will be paying some sort of variable % on card sales but they often get charged for depositing cash too, it's often only free to personal customers. The banks aren't too keen on loads of it either, needs sorted, transported, guarded etc.
Reply 4
20
Original post
by Emma:-)Some places nowadays only accept card. But this runs the risk of excluding people who want to/can only pay in cash (for whatever reason).
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
Yes, Amazon and eBay should be forced to accept cash.
Reply 5
20
Original post
by Emma:-)I think shops should be forced to accept cash.
They should accept both.
Yes, card is more convenient. But a lot of people prefer to use cash (or some can only use cash).
For example older people, people on low incomes, people who just prefer to use cash as thats how they budget (its easier to overspend on a card).
I may be wrong, but i am sure that the banks charge the place (shop, restaurant etc) for processing card payments anyway. Theres none of that with cash.
They should accept both.
Yes, card is more convenient. But a lot of people prefer to use cash (or some can only use cash).
For example older people, people on low incomes, people who just prefer to use cash as thats how they budget (its easier to overspend on a card).
I may be wrong, but i am sure that the banks charge the place (shop, restaurant etc) for processing card payments anyway. Theres none of that with cash.
You're seriously suggesting cash transactions are cheaper to process than card...?
Why'd you think businesses are stopping taking cash??? 😀
Original post
by QuadyYes, Amazon and eBay should be forced to accept cash.
Obviously online retailers are different. There is no choice but to pay by card.
I was on about actual physical shops, restaurants etc.
Original post
by QuadyYou're seriously suggesting cash transactions are cheaper to process than card...?
Why'd you think businesses are stopping taking cash??? 😀
Why'd you think businesses are stopping taking cash??? 😀
I did not say that processing cash transactions are cheaper than card. I just said that processing card transactions is not free.
But only accepting card excludes certain people from shopping/eating there. Surely people wouldnt want to limit/exclude possible customers?
Reply 8
Original post
by Emma:-)Obviously online retailers are different. There is no choice but to pay by card.
I was on about actual physical shops, restaurants etc.
I was on about actual physical shops, restaurants etc.
But if we're talking about legislation forcing retailers, the distinctions between physical shop and online shop start getting a bit funny. After all online retailers could accept cash, there's nothing stopping them beyond just not wanting to (many mail order places worked this way for decades)
Reply 9
20
Original post
by Emma:-)Obviously online retailers are different. There is no choice but to pay by card.
I was on about actual physical shops, restaurants etc.
I was on about actual physical shops, restaurants etc.
Eh?
Why is there no choice?
Original post
by QuadyEh?
Why is there no choice?
Why is there no choice?
If you are buying something from an online only retailer- e.g. ebay, amazon etc, how do you expect to pay by cash?
Reply 11
Original post
by Emma:-)I did not say that processing cash transactions are cheaper than card. I just said that processing card transactions is not free.
But only accepting card excludes certain people from shopping/eating there. Surely people wouldnt want to limit/exclude possible customers?
But only accepting card excludes certain people from shopping/eating there. Surely people wouldnt want to limit/exclude possible customers?
"But only accepting card excludes certain people from shopping/eating there. Surely people wouldn't want to limit/exclude possible customers?"
Yes, they might and as said, I believe that is for a business to decide and not to dictated to. If they decide that keeping cash, a float, a safe, insurance for the cash, making bank runs and a business bank account where they pay extra for cash deposits is just a pain in the bum they might be willing to risk a small drop off of business if it saves that hassle. If anything merchant/card accounts have got waaaay more convenient and lowered rates/security deposits in recent years, so I can see why some retailers are going that way.
I think overall moving away from 'the seller of the service or item decides what they accept in return' is a very steep slope to muck about on.
Reply 12
Original post
by Emma:-)If you are buying something from an online only retailer- e.g. ebay, amazon etc, how do you expect to pay by cash?
Post. This was common previously, either cash, cheque or a postal order. I can see why they don't want you to do it now, but there is nothing specifically stopping them accepting it like any other trader.
(edited 10 months ago)
Reply 13
20
Original post
by Emma:-)If you are buying something from an online only retailer- e.g. ebay, amazon etc, how do you expect to pay by cash?
By it being legally mandated?
Reply 14
I refuse to shop at places that wont take cash out of principal. We have to keep cash alive. If we don't then one day hackers or govt or paid hackers will wipe out your accounts and you will be homeless. We as the people have to maintain some physical control of money.
Reply 15
21
I’ve used Google Pay so often since 2019 that I have a cash pile of 960 sat in a drawer because it just builds up when people pay me back.
If a business thinks they can manage without cash then that should be their own choice, if not they will go bust.
If a business thinks they can manage without cash then that should be their own choice, if not they will go bust.
Reply 16
Original post
by Emma:-)Some places nowadays only accept card. But this runs the risk of excluding people who want to/can only pay in cash (for whatever reason).
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
Mainly the places that only accept cash are a bit dodgy- money laundering chicken or sweet shops, even some barbers so that they don't have to keep proper books and can flush money through them.
I don't really see the point in cash anymore- as a civilisation we have moved past it and it is only modern-day luddites who won't join us.
Reply 17
Original post
by mike44I refuse to shop at places that wont take cash out of principal. We have to keep cash alive. If we don't then one day hackers or govt or paid hackers will wipe out your accounts and you will be homeless. We as the people have to maintain some physical control of money.
That ship has already sailed. Less than 10% of the world’s money supply is cash.
The day when our bank accounts get wiped en masse will also be the day paper money becomes worthless.
Original post
by stilllearning123Mainly the places that only accept cash are a bit dodgy- money laundering chicken or sweet shops, even some barbers so that they don't have to keep proper books and can flush money through them.
I don't really see the point in cash anymore- as a civilisation we have moved past it and it is only modern-day luddites who won't join us.
I don't really see the point in cash anymore- as a civilisation we have moved past it and it is only modern-day luddites who won't join us.
I am not saying for places to only accept cash. But places should accept both cash and card (i.e. not be card only).
Quite a few people still use cash for various reasons.
Reply 19
Original post
by Emma:-)Some places nowadays only accept card. But this runs the risk of excluding people who want to/can only pay in cash (for whatever reason).
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
You still get the odd places who prefer/will only take cash.
Should shops be forced to accept cash?
Shops could be forced to accept cash in future, MPs warn - BBC News
Hello @Emma:-)
I really like this question and it is certainly the type of questions which need addressing in this increasingly digitalised world. My opinion is that any business should accept both cash and cards in order to accommodate for as many people as possible. As my university is cashless, I never carry cash, meaning if shops don't accept card, I am unable to shop their. On the other hand, others don't want to use credit or debit cards too much and these people should definitely not be forgotten. Arguably, the elderly have already been forgotten in some respects, for instance,e how the government now require forms like censuses to be completed online rather than by people, something which some people are not able to access.
Charlie
Law LLB Student
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