Cash or card

[Anonymous Claret]

Do most people on here prefer to use card (including phone app) or cash?

Wherever possible I always try to use cash. There are several reasons for this.

When walking through the town centre my generosity occasionally gets the better of me and I give 1 of the homeless guys some loose change.

Small businesses are often charged for each card transaction. I was in a pub a couple of weeks ago where the manager told me that for all the card charges they incur over a week they could employ an extra staff member for 1 day.

When ordering food online from 1 of the big delivery companies such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats etc, those companies often take 15% plus from the total cost. It is more if they use their own drivers. This is money that ends up going to large corporations rather than small independent businesses. If people actually chose to phone the takeaway outlets to order the food and pay cash on delivery this would mean more money going back into the local economy. If people continue using those apps it will create more of a monopoly for the big corporate food chains who will continue to thrive whilst small independent businesses go bankrupt.

The owner of my local hardware shop sometimes has people wanting to pay on card for screws etc that only amount to a few pence. The owner often chooses to give the customers the product because it actually costs more for the transaction than the item itself.

It’s far easier to pay by cash at markets and car boots etc or you may want to leave your children some cash from the tooth fairy.

You can only spend the money that you have on your person.

You can’t have your data harvested electronically.

Many more businesses are becoming cashless including our own beloved BFC and this is a concern to me. I think that people should always have a choice. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are a real possibility of the not too distant future unless people resist and start using cash more often. I think that there is a strong possibility the more cash becomes less frequently used the more likelihood there is of the banks increasing charges both on businesses and customers alike. The bigger the monopoly that the banks have on currency I feel it will be the customers who suffer the most. It will also be much easier to implement a social credit system similar to China’s the more that cash is erased from society.

Anyway that’s my rant over and it will be interesting to see if anyone holds similar or different views.

[Burnley1989]

Card, never carry cash, hate having any coins on me now

[Anonymous Claret]

Card, never carry cash, hate having any coins on me now

It's not uncommon. A lot of my friends are the same and they only use their phone or card.

[NottsClaret]

Never use cash now, apart from raffle tickets at grassroots football. Just use phone for everything.

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

I run a small business and slowly I'm being driven out with the cashless society.I believe it's a disaster waiting to happen on many levels we really are beginning to be brainwashed and controlled all you who have conformed you will eventually reap what you sow

[Devils_Advocate]

I will only use 10p pieces unless I have to buy something online. Its a bit of a pain having to get my money changed each week but I think it is worth it for the benefits.

Main benefit for me is that it means I pretty much have the exact amount for anything I buy so dont have to get bogged down from getting change all the time. Im pretty generous so will always round up to the nearest 10 pence and let them keep the change.

My main worry at the moment is that Trump looks like he's gonna go after regular currency and move the world towards crypto to benefit his mates and backers so the days of paying by cash could soon be numbered

[jrgbfc]

I'm trying to get back into the habit of using cash more, definetely for smaller businesses who seem to prefer it. Think things have gone too far in the cashless direction.

[Milltown1882]

Apple Pay always apart from when you have to go to a cash point to draw money out to be able to pay 20p to get into the miners on a match day.

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

I will also add to this my local butcher was moaning to me last week it cost him £650 through fees and commission on his cash machine.Now think if that amount was took out of your annual wage you would be in uptoar

[ISpeds00]

Card

[hoosier-daddy]

Card. Businesses might complain, but they earn more accepting card.

[Ptangyangkipperbang]

Card. Businesses might complain, but they earn more accepting card.

Not the smaller ones

[ClaretAndJew]

I’ve not had any physical cash for 3 years.

Used my phone for the majority of transactions.

I have a relatively small business that invoices and gets paid via bank transfer.

I think card machines can have very small fees depending on if you get locked into a contract with one particular company who take larger percentages.

To be fair you could have your smart phone set up to take payments from card.

Your information is harvested when you retrieve cash. Also when you do anything with your phone, your computer or standing in public near smart devices and cameras.

The age of complete privacy is over. Embrace it.

[ElectroClaret]

Only use cash for the odd taxi, the window cleaner and my favourite takeaway
which doesn't accept cards.

Everything else card.

[dvalley69]

Agree with the OP. The more we become digital, the more we will just be controlled and in the hands of the corporates, i.e. less choice, less humane and more expensive living costs.

[beddie]

Card but I became annoyed with myself at last weeks home game ( think it was that one ) as I couldn’t donate anything to the collection outside the ground for the Hospice. I’m going to start carrying some cash in future.

[boatshed bill]

Both, some places ask for cash as a preference some prefer card.
I will never use my mobile phone to make a payment.

[Clovius Boofus]

Card/phone

BTW, if you're worried about companies/governments tracking/snooping on you or whatever, then don't own a smartphone, don't do any social media and go and live in a cave.

[hoosier-daddy]

Not the smaller ones

I prefer crypto, but only for potatoes.

[hoosier-daddy]

Card/phone

BTW, if you're worried about companies/governments tracking/snooping on you or whatever, then don't own a smartphone, don't do any social media and go and live in a cave.

And don't have a Covid jab. As you'll be part of the same group of people

[steve_f]

When i had my business I preferred card payments as, only charged 1% on credit cards and 15p per transaction on debit cards. The big issue seller in wimborne now takes card payments. Probably less risk involved. Personally I very rarely carry cash.

[alboclaret]

Try my best to use cash more and more. I have seem a few more using cash this year more than before. (Through work)

It could be a terrible thing if we loose cash.
With that in mind people need to use it more.
Just with draw a bit every wk. Know it's not as handy but don't be ignorant towards what cash brings us and keeps us away from.

[alboclaret]

If we can't use cash we will be at the mercy of the system.

[JR1882]

Small fees really but they can add up. However, much less risk - businesses holding cash used to get robbed all the time, not so much now. Lower insurance with no cash on site too, no having to go to the bank every day, no cashing up, faster service, there are many advantages to avoiding cash as a business.

Just Eat can take close to 40% you would be amazed, it’s a racket.

Highly Unpopular Opinion (but true) - Lots of small businesses want cash so they don’t have to declare it all, or they will pay any costs they can with said cash prior to it entering the books.

[Damo]

I use my card or Google pay usually because I'm a lazy so and so.
I try and use cash at local businesses when I can

[Damo]

Small fees really but they can add up. However, much less risk - businesses holding cash used to get robbed all the time, not so much now. Lower insurance with no cash on site too, no having to go to the bank every day, no cashing up, faster service, there are many advantages to avoiding cash as a business.

Just Eat can take close to 40% you would be amazed, it’s a racket.

Highly Unpopular Opinion (but true) - Lots of small businesses want cash so they don’t have to declare it all, or they will pay any costs they can with said cash prior to it entering the books.

The likes of just eat are absolute leaches.
Them prospering as a business is the worst indicator of what kind of world we live in

[dsr]

Small fees really but they can add up. However, much less risk - businesses holding cash used to get robbed all the time, not so much now. Lower insurance with no cash on site too, no having to go to the bank every day, no cashing up, faster service, there are many advantages to avoiding cash as a business.

Just Eat can take close to 40% you would be amazed, it’s a racket.

Highly Unpopular Opinion (but true) - Lots of small businesses want cash so they don’t have to declare it all, or they will pay any costs they can with said cash prior to it entering the books.

They might not want to declare it, but they would have no reason to pay costs in cash without entering it in the books. There's no benefit, there's only loss, in underdeclaring income and expenses by the same amount.

The other (and primary) reason for liking cash is (eg. my greengrocer) they can take cash with no bank charges at all, and pay that cash to their wholesaler with no bank charges at all. When cash swills round the system, the banks can only charge it when eventually someone pays it in to the bank. With internet banking, they can charge for every in and out on the way.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I prefer using my card
Don't like carrying cash

[aclaretinstevenage]

There is a need for both. I use my cards more now than in previous years but still have a bit of cash on me.

We mustn't let cash die.

[Boss Hogg]

My local Chinese only accepts cash so I have to have it. Plenty of local businesses prefer it and there are a number of benefits. The powers that be would prefer a cashless society for extra monitoring purposes.

[BigAlClaret]

More cash in the system means a bigger black economy, easier money laundering,helps organised crime,supports the drug trade at all levels,enables tax evasion and lets not forget the small business owners who can (and sometimes do) simply pocket any money from cash sales.

[BurnleyFC]

Apple Pay for practically everything now. It’s set up on my 12 year old’s phone as well.

[wilks_bfc]

Very rarely have cash on me these days.

I do need it on Sundays though so I can pay the ref fee for the kids game - but that’s another issue as I then inevitably need to get a £10 note changed so I have a fiver

[dougcollins]

At work the other day there was a large confused looking group of 20 -30s at the staff restaurant till. It turned out the card machine was out of action.

I breezed past the throng and purchased my flat white using old technology.

[Shaggy]

I prefer using cash, especially Scottish notes in places like Bradford… buy fuel and watch them squirm saying trying not to take it.

What does **** me off though is those sotherners who offer a different rate for Scottish pounds. It’s the same currency…. Robbing two hats.

Cash is better, keeps the banks out the loop which is better. Their tentacles are into everything.

[Tricky Trevor]

Card if I can if only for the receipts so at month end I know what I’ve blown. Cash just disappears so easily.
Totally get the OPs point about the card charges damaging small businesses. Even back in the 80s I had a mate who would threaten to use the card unless they gave him discount. I guess both parties ended up happy or they would have refused.

[ArmchairDetective]

I use card but tend to have a little cash on me as the window cleaner and local Chinese only take cash.

I can understand that some businesses might benefit from using cash rather than card. I also think there's a chance that the cash isn't going where is should (tax avoidance, money laundering etc).

But those on here that claim we are being brainwashed and controlled. Who exactly are we being brainwashed by, and what evidence do you have of this?

[Bosscat]

Cash ...
Card ...
I use both depending on where I am ...

[Burnley1989]

I totally see both sides, I've mates that work in trades and they always want cash as it pays for their holidays without having to pay tax on it, it does make me slightly jealous when I see what I'm taxed after a good month.
I'd do exactly the same as them though, given half a chance.

I certainly wouldn't trust anyone in power enough to go cashless, it's nice to have that control

[ClaretTony]

Card (usually phone) for me. Rarely use cash and only if I have to.

[CaptJohn]

I try to use cash at retailers actually accepting it. Yesterday I went out for a few drinks with friends in Chester and used cash in the bars. For online purchases it's a card of course but I do agree that paying by cash helps small business owners. You only have to look at the cashback cards to realise how much the card companies are charging retailers for their services.

[durhamclaret]

Both, people should always have the choice imo

[Bow]

Card always. If you can’t afford the fees as a small business then your business isn’t fit for purpose.

[Clovius Boofus]

I don't understand how paying cash is somehow socking it to the banks and governments - where do you think cash comes from and the financial system behind its day-to-day value?

[AlargeClaret]

Haven’t used cash for barely anything for seemingly years , even the widow cleaner has a card machine now . I can only think of my barber and cleaner who I pay cash , oh and the Chinese will only accept cash too .

As for people thinking small businesses “ want paying in cash” it’s to keep out of VAT /not declare the sale/launder etc not because of the “ cost of the card transaction “ Cash is just as costly to bank as the % the card companies take , but it can be the difference in turning a reasonable profit .

[Clovius Boofus]

As for people thinking small businesses “ want paying in cash” it’s to keep out of VAT

And trousering the 20% VAT you've paid.

[Row x]

There's a reason some only accept cash

And likewise why some businesses only want card

[Row x]

Both, some places ask for cash as a preference some prefer card.
I will never use my mobile phone to make a payment.

Why?

[Vincent'sCap]

Card and Phone it's 2024 welcome to the real world

[distortiondave]

And trousering the 20% VAT you've paid.

Back in the day the 'deal' was meant to be that neither of you pay the vat on that transaction.

Trying to play the system isn't really viable long term anymore. You need proper proof of earnings for a mortgage, so unless you are earning good money legit and finding a way to skim a mint to boot then you just end up stuck where you are with a lot of loose change.
And obviously the more things that are paid by direct debit, the less need for surplus cash. When I first left home I bet my monthly outgoings numbered about 10 transactions, and these days its more like 30. Netflix and Amazon direct debits have replaced 3 for a fiver at Blockbuster video once a week. Gousto and The Rum Box have replaced £20 a week at Bargain Booze and the Co-op etc. I could have paid by card back then for those things too, of course, but it felt easier to pay for things by cash. Now it feels easier to pay for things by card.

That said, I think it's important to have alternative ways to pay, and a cash system is better than the alternative.