Does nobody use cash anymore?

@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
March 18, 2017 9:37am CST
During my regular strolls around the city centre, I usually call into Greggs to buy a cup of coffee. This is a major bakery chain here in England and most customers buy either a coffee or a pasty, which is a very modest cost. Today one the credit card machines was out of order, so the lady at that till was accepting cash only. With amounts between £1 and £2 being the average order, this should have made very little difference. However, despite the place being fairly busy, nobody seemed to be using that till. In fact I was able to walk straight up and buy a coffee. It seemed illogical that so many people were in a large shopping centre yet nobody appeared to have enough cash to buy a coffee or pasty. I can fully understand people using a credit or debit card for the purchase of large items, but to possess no cash whatsoever seems very strange. Do people never carry cash around any longer?
43 people like this
60 responses
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
18 Mar 17
I use cash Barry, for small expenses I do not like to use my debit card and I prefer to pay cash.
7 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
@LadyDuck That restriction is quite rare now because it would deter some customers.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
So do I, but we seem to virtually alone these days as people insist on credit cards for everything.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
18 Mar 17
@Asylum I remember that until a few years ago, the stores refused the credit cards for small amounts, usually the minimum requested was the equivalent of about $15.00.
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
18 Mar 17
Contactless cards have made cash almost obsolete.
5 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I absolutely detest those contactless payment systems. It is safer carrying cash because if you lose the card it has no protection due to not requiring either signature or PIN to use. It would not take long to run up a bill of £500 or so with such a card.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
@boiboing I know the maximum per purchase is £30, but was not aware of a combined limit.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
18 Mar 17
@Asylum I'm told there is a quite low limit to how much you can run up on contactless before they require a PIN code.
4 people like this
• United States
18 Mar 17
I keep small amounts of cash on hand for such purchases. My husband only uses cash to make any purchase.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I would never think about using a credit card to purchase a coffee or a magazine, but people seem to think nothing about it.
4 people like this
• United States
18 Mar 17
@Asylum I have had to make purchases for under $1 for my clients because they don't deal with cash at all.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
@ElusiveButterfly What would happen if there was a computer glitch and their credit card was denied?
2 people like this
@rebelann (112875)
• El Paso, Texas
18 Mar 17
I never carry cash. A friend of mine used to and had his cash stolen, he never got it back whereas I have lost a credit card and simply called the company to alert them about it and I never lost any money at all. Also, I get a % back on the purchases I make with them.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
Too many cards now will allow a purchase up to a certain amount without even using a PIN, so if you drop a card and do not realise it can easy amount to a large amount by the time that you notice.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112875)
• El Paso, Texas
18 Mar 17
I have alerts turned on with mine so that any time I make a purchase I get a text and email alerting me about it @Asylum that way if I should lose my card and someone else uses it I can call to let them know it wasn't me, my cards always refund if I do that.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
@rebelann Now that sounds like a very practical system.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
18 Mar 17
I always carry cash just in case. And I do use my debit card a lot.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
Considering how few people were prepared to use the till that was accepting cash only, it seems that many do not carry cash at all.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340286)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Mar 17
We always have cash. Some shops charge extra if you put small amounts on a card.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
I think that a few around here do, although I am not sure which.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
18 Mar 17
I only have cash when roomie pays me, as he pays that way, other than that..it is all debit or credit card for me.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I would find that very inconvenient.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
@snowy22315 This is obviously due to the different societies that we grew up in.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180934)
• United States
19 Mar 17
@Asylum I find it just the opposite!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136642)
• India
19 Mar 17
Our government is trying to do away with cash payments posing problems for many,. There is penalty if cash is withdrawn from banks beyond four times in a month including cash deposits. This, to control black money.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
It is not a practical move because it can easily result in people spending money that they do not possess.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
@allknowing That is all too often the case.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136642)
• India
19 Mar 17
@Asylum There is a new wave of sorts here but the truth of the matter is not everyone comes under this. Those with vested interests have ways to bypass this restriction.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 17
I always have a few bucks in my wallet in case I see something at a yard sale - I've had the same few bucks in there about three years!
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
@AbbyGreenhill I would feel vulnerable without having enough cash in my pocket.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
There are always likely to be places where cash is required, although they becoming less every day.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 17
@Asylum I do not like to carry cash.
3 people like this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
18 Mar 17
I use cash most of the time.I avoid little using my credit car. Most people do not have cash on hand.They use their card. I even saw a patron at Wal mart putting soda pop on their card.Really.one bottle.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I have seen similar and share your opinion of that. You would lose track of what you were spending if it simply goes onto a card.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
@amadeo If I spent an extra £20 while I was out it would not be a problem, but it does help to be aware of it. Using a card all the time would make it less obvious until the end of the month.
2 people like this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
18 Mar 17
@Asylum I never lose track what I am spending.LOL prefer cash
2 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
19 Mar 17
I have to use cash for bowls - our Bar and club is a CASH only business, so I withdraw a small amount to suffice me the month. When travelling we noticed that there was a required use of cash in ITALY. So many of the small businesses do not have the card facility and eventually after my EURO's were depleted, it was a pain, so we left a lot behind that we might have bought, had they had the card facilities. Apparently is all to do about declaring taxes. For smaller things $1 up to $5, I say cash is fine, but from there on I dont normally use cash PLASTIC ONLY! Its safer in SA and also when travelling
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Mar 17
@Inlemay This is why I never use a card abroad. I carry my card in case of emergency, but always take more money than required as a safety measure.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
I would always use cash when overseas. The bank would charge a conversion fee which would be far higher than the rate for exchanging cash to another currency.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
20 Mar 17
@Asylum not for us in SA - we pay NO conversion fee when using the SWIPE method - our bank carries the cost for Private clients, however when I had to draw cash in Zurich to pay for a train ticket - we paid a service fee of $30 which I thought was such a waste of money CASH FRANKS cost me dollars - ha ha ha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121612)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Mar 17
I haven't carried cash for years. I either use my debit card, credit card, PayPal, or ApplePay on my mobile. I can't even remember the last time I encountered someone that only accepted cash.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
That seems to be the way of the world these days, but certainly does not suit me.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
@moffittjc When I was working my wage was usually paid directly into the bank by the company.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121612)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Mar 17
@Asylum I think it would be different for me if I was handed a paycheck at work that I had to take to the bank to deposit or cash. But since my paycheck is automatically direct-deposited into my bank, I never see it, so unless I make a special trip to the bank, I never have any cash on hand.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
19 Mar 17
Here in Michigan, anyways, some refuse to carry credit and debit cars and only use cash or write a check, but the majority of people only use credit/debit cards. Whether or not they do have cash for smaller purchases or not, I've no clue since I can't see into their wallets or pockets. When some find out after coupons and rewards that they only need less that a certain amount they will dig around for cash. Many are just a bit short and still have to use a card. I think for those in a hurry, they think it takes too long to work with cash and therefore don't even bother even if they have several bills on them.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
I have not seen a cheque for many years now and thought that they were totally obsolete. As for being in a hurry, I cannot see how using cash could take longer.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
@MarshaMusselman I always ensure that I have money ready before I reach the till, so stop blaming us old codgers.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
19 Mar 17
@Asylum Sometimes the cards take even longer especially now that most of us only take the chip cards. Sometimes that causes glitches in the registers for some reason or other. Sometimes cash can be slower especially when the older people are digging, digging for elusive change, but no, overall it's probably quicker than not.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
18 Mar 17
Since I don't use credit cards, I carry some cash with me wherever I go. But I rarely see anyone else with cash. I think that's pretty sad.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
It makes me wonder why they still mint coins.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
@CRK109 The smaller denominations will soon disappear because the value of those constantly diminishes, so soon they will have no use.
1 person likes this
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
19 Mar 17
@Asylum I wonder about that all the time. I've heard that, here in the US, they might stop minting pennies soon. We use quarters in commercial washers and dryers, so I'm sure they won't stop those from being minted. but I have to go to the bank at least once a month to get the quarters!
2 people like this
@pumpkinjam (8768)
• United Kingdom
18 Mar 17
Whether I use cash or card depends on what I'm doing, where I'm going, and how much money I have. Sometimes, I might need something which is only £1 or £2 but only have £3 in the bank, which isn't worth going into the bank to take out (if the bank is open at all) so, in that case, I would use a card for a small purchase. I do tend to carry at least some cash, though, as I'd rather make smaller purchases with cash. I do know some people who never carry cash. My other half rarely pays for anything with cash. I'm not sure why that is. Even if we go to a pub, he'll pay on his card at one of them but take cash out if we go to another.
3 people like this
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 17
@Asylum My other half only uses a debit card. He doesn't have a credit card. I think sometimes it's safer to go out without cash! I'm not sure if he deliberately uses his card or does so because he forgets to get the cash out. It's only in the places he knows well that he'll use a card usually, though. Or if the purchase is more than expected!
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
@pumpkinjam I do not have a credit card either. I stopped using credit cards as soon as debit cards were introduced.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I have never known anyone to pay by credit card in a pub, but these days it does not surprise me. One danger with constantly using credit cards is losing track of how much you have spent.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
18 Mar 17
I'll admit that I use my debit card the most, but I still like having some money on me. I will occasionally use cash.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I makes sense to carry some cash if only for emergencies.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
18 Mar 17
@Asylum I think so. You never know.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218967)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Mar 17
I carry small amounts with me, like $40. Sometimes the machine goes out at my BB place in Berkeley. Cash it is. However, I do use my credit card even for my $2.25 late morning coffee in Berkeley, if the machine is working.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I would find it difficult to keep track of my expenditure if I constantly used a card.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Mar 17
My daughter rarely has cash, pays for everything with her iPhone app or something. Last weekend at the coast, a pizza place took cash only (imagine that). Fortunately she had some that time.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
cash only is becoming quite scarce now because it would seriously affect business.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
23 Mar 17
I usually have cash in my purse, I just never use it.
• Prairieville, Louisiana
19 Mar 17
My friend Amy pays cash at the movies.On rare occassions that I have cash on me I pay in cash.A Mexican restaurant on Jones Creek takes cash only so I hardly ever eat at that restaurant.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Mar 17
There are very few places that are cash only now because it may damage business.
• Camden, Indiana
18 Mar 17
The boyfriend literally never uses his card unless he is using it to take money out. Not sure why he is like that but he is just that way. Doesn't bother me any. I use cash mostly now a days too but that's because I am broke xD
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Mar 17
I use my card to withdraw cash rather than queue at the bank. It makes monitoring my expenditure easier.