Cash or card

[jsclaret]

Card usually but cash for purchases at a small business. Banks cream a percentage off so the businesses don't get the full amount. Some small businesses don't take cards, understandable really.

[boatshed bill]

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

"The Real World"?
I use a phone to communicate with people,
A camera to take decent photos
A bank card or cash to buy stuff.

Weird?

[Vincent'sCap]

"The Real World"?
I use a phone to communicate with people,
A camera to take decent photos
A bank card or cash to buy stuff.

Weird?

Well done I'm over the moon you told me that
Weirdo?

[boatshed bill]

Well done I'm over the moon you told me that
Weirdo?

When you make facile comments that's what you get.

[Buxtonclaret]

It was always cash for me, until lockdown.
Then it became cards.
Until early summer this year when, I've made a big, conscious effort to use cash again, for various reasons already mentioned above.

[Billyblah]

Depends on what I'm buying and the amount involved but I do always use cards in pubs as I'm sick of receiving all types of small foreign coinage in my change.
Seemed to be a frequent occurance in certain Burnley town centre pubs pre match.

[Andy_G]

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.

Ever since lockdown I've taken to using my card for everything but when I see my bank/card statements I grow increasingly concerned about my "digital footprint" what it tells people about me and how my behaviour could be monitored.

Think I may start using cash again just to throw the buggers of my scent!

[NottsClaret]

I get using cash if you want to help (very) small businesses, but seriously, do you really think the ‘deep state’ is monitoring what Gary in Padiham is spending on his NatWest debit card on a Tuesday morning.

[boatshed bill]

I pay by the means i'm asked to pay by. If people want cash that's fine with me. Even cheques sometimes.
Never been asked to pay by phone

[TheFamilyCat]

I get using cash if you want to help (very) small businesses, but seriously, do you really think the ‘deep state’ is monitoring what Gary in Padiham is spending on his NatWest debit card on a Tuesday morning.

"He's in Greggs again. I repeat HE'S IN GREGGS AGAIN"

[Hipper]

Depends on the amount and circumstances.

I tend not to carry more then £20 with me so anything over that I use a Debit Card (I have no Credit Card).

I've got no principles regarding small traders etc. and the rebellious stuff people claim for not using cards.

Frankly if small traders use Uber Eats etc. then they must judge the benefits as a business. That's their responsibility.

Cards, even Debit cards, do give some comeback for the purchaser if things go wrong. I've only had to deal with that online but it could happen in a shop.

[Clovius Boofus]

I get using cash if you want to help (very) small businesses, but seriously, do you really think the ‘deep state’ is monitoring what Gary in Padiham is spending on his NatWest debit card on a Tuesday morning.

The funny thing is that people who worry about the 'deep state' tend not to be quite so arsed when it comes to downloading apps, and their requisite permissions, like tracking everywhere you go and everything you do on your mobile.

[groove]

I try to use cash when I can, especially with small businesses. I do use card a lot though, mainly buying things online. I certainly don't want to lose the option. Any CBDC would be programmable. So for example your spending could be limited on certain products in the interest of climate change, or it could be used as a penalty for any perceived wrongdoing. It would remove personal financial autonomy and propel us towards a digital prison.

[Clovius Boofus]

Depends on what I'm buying and the amount involved but I do always use cards in pubs as I'm sick of receiving all types of small foreign coinage in my change.
Seemed to be a frequent occurance in certain Burnley town centre pubs pre match.

Also, with a card, you can't get shortchanged. Sure, an unscrupulous bar worker can add a beer or a couple of quid to your bill if you're buying a big round, but that only benefits the bar owner and most owners don't want to rob their own customers.

[Clovius Boofus]

It would remove personal financial autonomy and propel us towards a digital prison.

Lucky then that it's not going to happen. Cash will still be around after everyone here is long gone.

[Sheedyclaret]

Card

[Claret Toni]

It was usually card for everything, but then I noticed there were just too many "Bargain Booze" entries on my statement and I realised it had to stop.

So now I use cash more.

[ChrisG]

Here in Germany, many places are cash only, and if they do take cards, it's only German EC cards.

I've taken more cash out of the bank in the last 18 months than I did in probably 18 years in the UK

[Swizzlestick]

Here in Germany, many places are cash only, and if they do take cards, it's only German EC cards.

I've taken more cash out of the bank in the last 18 months than I did in probably 18 years in the UK

It’s really striking how cash heavy Germany still is, even in big tourist areas like Berlin and Hamburg. Totally caught me off guard the first time.

[GetIntoEm]

Prefer card, businesses want cash so they can pocket it. Paying in cash to a business account is more costly than card transactions these days.

[Walton]

Can't be arsed at all with cash.

Small businesses only want it so they can dodge the tax system, and any excuse about card fees completely forgets that banks have always charged businesses for depositing cash. Can see straight through them.

[dsr]

Also, with a card, you can't get shortchanged. Sure, an unscrupulous bar worker can add a beer or a couple of quid to your bill if you're buying a big round, but that only benefits the bar owner and most owners don't want to rob their own customers.

Shortchanging is only a problem for people who can't do simple sums. It virtually never happens anyway, at least not to me. The couple of quid short changed or the couple of quid added to the bill are not big enough issues to make a difference.

[dsr]

Can't be arsed at all with cash.

Small businesses only want it so they can dodge the tax system, and any excuse about card fees completely forgets that banks have always charged businesses for depositing cash. Can see straight through them.

If you're suggesting that a business with cash in its hand can only pay it into a bank, then you're not correct. They can spend it. If a business receives cash from its customers and pays cash to its wholesalers, they don't have to pay bank charges. If they pay it into the bank and then pay it out again, they might be paying 2-3% combined charges, and that's 2-3% of gross income including VAT - might be 10-20% of the bottom line.

[distortiondave]

Can't be arsed at all with cash.

Small businesses only want it so they can dodge the tax system, and any excuse about card fees completely forgets that banks have always charged businesses for depositing cash. Can see straight through them.

I'm a small business. I accept cash. I don't dodge the tax system.

What a dickish thing to say, especially from someone who spent a large part of their teens and twenties earning off the books cash doing gigs. Unless, of course, Reth declared all their earnings, in which case I would love to see those books and will not only apologise but show my arse in Burton's window.

[IanMcL]

Contactless on phone.

Except when I come to Burnley football! On walk back to car, I buy sausage and chips in Frydays. £4. He only takes card £5 +.
Irritating as I have to draw out of machine on way.

Bonus was that I recently had change for a poppy.

[groove]

Can't be arsed at all with cash.

Small businesses only want it so they can dodge the tax system, and any excuse about card fees completely forgets that banks have always charged businesses for depositing cash. Can see straight through them.

That's the kind of reasoning that will take away our freedom. It's not dissimilar to the CCTV argument, if you're not doing anything wrong you've nothing to worry about. It's not about dodging the taxman. It's about having complete control and freedom over what you can spend your, yes your, money on. If you lose that autonomy, you're giving someone else the power to decide for you. Do you remember as a child asking your parents for spending money? Well, its the same but you'll be asking the government/bank/corporation. They could then decide you've already used too much fuel, red meat etc. It will be done under the guise of reducing your 'carbon footprint ' or other such nonsense.

[ArmchairDetective]

That's the kind of reasoning that will take away our freedom. It's not dissimilar to the CCTV argument, if you're not doing anything wrong you've nothing to worry about. It's not about dodging the taxman. It's about having complete control and freedom over what you can spend your, yes your, money on. If you lose that autonomy, you're giving someone else the power to decide for you. Do you remember as a child asking your parents for spending money? Well, its the same but you'll be asking the government/bank/corporation. They could then decide you've already used too much fuel, red meat etc. It will be done under the guise of reducing your 'carbon footprint ' or other such nonsense.

Can a government/bank see what individual items you've bought from tesco? Surely a bank can only see the amount you have spent. Not sure how the government would have access to such specific data either. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Quicknick]

Cash foir me, but I'm in Thailand or Portugal. Cards slow things down, and I don't like being tracked.

[Quicknick]

That's the kind of reasoning that will take away our freedom. It's not dissimilar to the CCTV argument, if you're not doing anything wrong you've nothing to worry about. It's not about dodging the taxman. It's about having complete control and freedom over what you can spend your, yes your, money on. If you lose that autonomy, you're giving someone else the power to decide for you. Do you remember as a child asking your parents for spending money? Well, its the same but you'll be asking the government/bank/corporation. They could then decide you've already used too much fuel, red meat etc. It will be done under the guise of reducing your 'carbon footprint ' or other such nonsense.

I agree with every word, groove.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Many businesses around here only accept cash. The digital backlash is coming!

[Quicknick]

Many businesses around here only accept cash. The digital backlash is coming!

That is good news. The people hitting back.

[NottsClaret]

That's the kind of reasoning that will take away our freedom. It's not dissimilar to the CCTV argument, if you're not doing anything wrong you've nothing to worry about. It's not about dodging the taxman. It's about having complete control and freedom over what you can spend your, yes your, money on. If you lose that autonomy, you're giving someone else the power to decide for you. Do you remember as a child asking your parents for spending money? Well, its the same but you'll be asking the government/bank/corporation. They could then decide you've already used too much fuel, red meat etc. It will be done under the guise of reducing your 'carbon footprint ' or other such nonsense.

We struggle to build a piece of rail track from London to Birmingham, it’s a bit of a stretch to imagine we can put the infrastructure and staffing in place to monitor the multiple daily purchases of 60 million people, let alone have the will or capacity to do anything about it.

The faith conspiracy theorists have in their government’s ability and competence is quite touching if wholly misplaced. Just use your card, it’s quick and easy, and honestly.. nobody gives a toss what you’re buying at the big Tesco in Accy.

Or use cash if you like the nostalgia, but it makes absolutely no difference either way.

[Clovius Boofus]

Shortchanging is only a problem for people who can't do simple sums.

That's not strictly true. It became a bit of a problem for me last year. I bought a pint with a twenty quid note and only received change for a tenner. I got it sorted in the end, but only after a bit of hassle - no apology offered either. It was like I was being a pain for asking for my own money.

[Bow]

That's the kind of reasoning that will take away our freedom. It's not dissimilar to the CCTV argument, if you're not doing anything wrong you've nothing to worry about. It's not about dodging the taxman. It's about having complete control and freedom over what you can spend your, yes your, money on. If you lose that autonomy, you're giving someone else the power to decide for you. Do you remember as a child asking your parents for spending money? Well, its the same but you'll be asking the government/bank/corporation. They could then decide you've already used too much fuel, red meat etc. It will be done under the guise of reducing your 'carbon footprint ' or other such nonsense.

“Here’s some complete guff I’ve made up and am angry about”

[Clovius Boofus]

That's the kind of reasoning that will take away our freedom. It's not dissimilar to the CCTV argument, if you're not doing anything wrong you've nothing to worry about. It's not about dodging the taxman. It's about having complete control and freedom over what you can spend your, yes your, money on. If you lose that autonomy, you're giving someone else the power to decide for you. Do you remember as a child asking your parents for spending money? Well, its the same but you'll be asking the government/bank/corporation. They could then decide you've already used too much fuel, red meat etc. It will be done under the guise of reducing your 'carbon footprint ' or other such nonsense.

I'll file this one under Poe's Law.

[groove]

“Here’s some complete guff I’ve made up and am angry about”

Thanks for your reasoned, intelligent input.

[groove]

Can a government/bank see what individual items you've bought from tesco? Surely a bank can only see the amount you have spent. Not sure how the government would have access to such specific data either. Correct me if I'm wrong.

You do know that Tesco's major shareholders are also the major shareholders in banks, media, pharma, the military industrial complex, uber etc etc don't you? They've got a monopoly on the whole world. It makes perfect sense for them all to work with each other. They won't stop until they control every single part of our lives. This isn't tinfoil hat stuff. This is easily researched.

[Clovius Boofus]

I don't go out anymore, just in case, you know. I also don't have the internet, a mobile phone or even a landline phone. You can write me a letter if you like, but only in code using Advanced Encryption Standard and I'll do the same with my response. Don't lick the stamp, though - incase the govt gets hold of the DNA and does THINGS.

[Burnley1989]

This isn't tinfoil hat stuff

It's certainly borderline

[Burnley1989]

They know where you live, know what you earn and where you work (most cases) know what car you drive, know where you go on holiday and how many children you have etc etc etc... what's the huge paranoia about the government knowing stuff?
I did some work for the MOD around 12 months ago and was interviewed to basically test my honesty, believe me, they already know far more than you realise, including ALL searches online

[groove]

We struggle to build a piece of rail track from London to Birmingham, it’s a bit of a stretch to imagine we can put the infrastructure and staffing in place to monitor the multiple daily purchases of 60 million people, let alone have the will or capacity to do anything about it.

The faith conspiracy theorists have in their government’s ability and competence is quite touching if wholly misplaced. Just use your card, it’s quick and easy, and honestly.. nobody gives a toss what you’re buying at the big Tesco in Accy.

Or use cash if you like the nostalgia, but it makes absolutely no difference either way.

It would take considerably less staff than building the HS2. Its just a computer programme. Much like how Uber have monopolised the taxi/food delivery market without owning a single car. They just have the software.

[Clovius Boofus]

I'm so important - even the government wants to know which brand of beans I buy.

[ArmchairDetective]

You do know that Tesco's major shareholders are also the major shareholders in banks, media, pharma, the military industrial complex, uber etc etc don't you? They've got a monopoly on the whole world. It makes perfect sense for them all to work with each other. They won't stop until they control every single part of our lives. This isn't tinfoil hat stuff. This is easily researched.

Yes I understand how stocks and shares work. I've also seen the videos about China's social credit system. Your post seems to have an undercurrent of assuming that people who don't take the same stance as you are oblivious/naive. I just think you can come to various other conclusions about people/groups investing in various revenue streams than 'they're trying to control us'. I'm also not convinced we're anywhere near that kind of system in the west. That system is only possible in a near communist / totalitarian state and if everything was to be tracked online. Again, from what I can tell, we're nowhere near the stage of me getting a bad social credit rating after buying a meat pie on card from Haffners.

[ArmchairDetective]

Apologies groove I think my last post came across a bit sarcastic after re-reading it back. Didn't intend to be. I would be opposed to the a china style social credit system. I just think in this country we can't even build HS2 or get my tax code right never mind anything more complex.

[groove]

Apologies groove I think my last post came across a bit sarcastic after re-reading it back. Didn't intend to be. I would be opposed to the a china style social credit system. I just think in this country we can't even build HS2 or get my tax code right never mind anything more complex.

No problem at all, I was just about to apologise for appearing condescending. It was never my intention. Thanks for your reply

[dsr]

Can a government/bank see what individual items you've bought from tesco? Surely a bank can only see the amount you have spent. Not sure how the government would have access to such specific data either. Correct me if I'm wrong.

At present, no. But if cash is ever abolished, as has been seriously proposed, then the government would have to create a new card system that would be available to everyone (we couldn't possibly give the banks power of life and death over those they disapprove of). And with that new government card, they would have the power - if they wished - to tap into the detail of what you are buying.

[ArmchairDetective]

At present, no. But if cash is ever abolished, as has been seriously proposed, then the government would have to create a new card system that would be available to everyone (we couldn't possibly give the banks power of life and death over those they disapprove of). And with that new government card, they would have the power - if they wished - to tap into the detail of what you are buying.

I understand the anxiety and caution around such a system being implemented. But even with that system being brought in there is an assumption that the government could and would overcome the legal, moral and practical barriers to tracking such micro data. Even practically it would rely on literally everywhere you could possible spend money having a POS system that is advanced enough to collect and share information about specific purchases. Who's paying for that? There's then the training required for front of house staff to ensure there are no mistakes because the legal issues that would ensue for penalising people for inaccurate data collection would be a huge. That's even before the various acts and laws that would need to be changed, broken or amended, and all in a country which would class itself as part of the free world.

I would be seriously concerned if it was to happen but even with a national bank card cashless system I still can't see the data collection / information sharing happening. I really hope I'm right anyway.

[nil_desperandum]

I tend to prefer cash if it's below £50
Here's one reason to add to others already mentioned:
Most weeks 6 of us go out for lunch. 2 couples and 2 individuals. This particular establishment will take card, but requests cash if possible, and I understand why.
When the bill comes we all owe various amounts but it's on one bill (We don't split it evenly because some of us always spend considerably less than others.)
We all calculate what we owe, add a bit on for a tip and simply put the cash on the table. One of us then checks to ensure that the bill is covered with a bit over for a tip.
The alternative is that we have to divide the bill up and make 4 separate credit card transactions which apart from anything else costs the business x 4 in charges.
I've also been to places (in a larger group) where they won't take cash, and have therefore had to pass the card machine round the table, with each of us calculating how much to enter, which isn't ideal (IMO).

[jsclaret]

I am surprised RFK Jr hasn't said that Covid was designed by the big banks to get us all to use cards

[Walton]

I'm a small business. I accept cash. I don't dodge the tax system.

What a dickish thing to say, especially from someone who spent a large part of their teens and twenties earning off the books cash doing gigs. Unless, of course, Reth declared all their earnings, in which case I would love to see those books and will not only apologise but show my arse in Burton's window.

If you think a bunch of mates getting literally just their petrol costs covered playing in front of 100 people once every couple of months is in any way comparable to, say, a car wash getting through 50 cars an hour at £7 a pop cash only, then fair play