Stovebolt.com Forums The Back Office The Greasy Spoon Cash vs Plastic

I am a cash kind of guy. The plastic is there in case of emergency or I order something online. I don't like getting bills monthly telling me how much I spent. That is me and I realize I am in the minority.
But recently it got to the point where I may have to reconsider. People today don't understand cash. If I go for a cup of coffee the server thrusts a card terminal my way. I say I'll pay cash and they get nervous. Two recent examples. I bought a salad at a fast food place. The cost was $8.40. I put down $10.40 and the cashier pushed the 40 cents back towards me and then gave me $1.60 change. Same thing here. Some pastries came to $15.35 and I gave $20.35. You can imagine the results. Better still another bill was $21.45 so I gave one dollar forty five in coins and $25 in bills. I could see the wheels spinning and admittedly it took a while but I got the right change.
I am not talking only about young people but many older ones are also confused.

I don't like cards but the reality of it is I don't like to carry a lot of cash. Also, my ability to deal with cash seems to be diminishing. It is taking longer to figure out the concept that you use. What you have to go through to pay cash at a gas station is stupid. I understand their side but back in the day when gas was cheaper I would fill up but I do not carry enough for a full tank. The other day I wanted to get a measured amount and at this particular station, their pumps have difficulty excepting my debit card. I told the attendant and he said to pay cash but I told him I did not know what it would cost. So said to give him my ID or cash and I refused so he finally said, do promise to come back I said ok. I have bought gas there since 1973, but you know how the turnover of help is in those places. A new face every week.

Everyone I know who still uses cash has similar stories.

I miss the old days of when you'd buy gas and they would have cash only registers to keep things moving in the store. That went the way of the dinosaur so I use a debit/credit card for gas mostly.

I guess they don't teach anyone how to count money anymore in school.

-Woog

Do you remember the belt changers?? I remember 17 cents a gallon, around 1956 or 1957.

Anything over $10 I use my credit card almost exclusively. I carry enough cash for odds & ends. I get points to redeem for toys and purchase protection. Using the debit card requires keeping careful track of spending to keep from having to pay overdraw charges or having the purchase refused so I don't use it.

I don't use my debit card except at my bank's atm.

I use my credit card for everything. I get back at least 2% on all my purchases. It's paid off every month and we use the 2% to help pay the bill.

Money talks- - - -especially at a flea market or a swap meet. I just don't keep much cash in my billfold- - - -but there's usually a stash of several C-notes somewhere in my truck. I've made some killer deals on tools, engines, machinery, guns, etc. by having green stuff instead of plastic available.
Jerry

I agree with Jerry, having the cash readily available can enhance one's chances of scoring some great deals. However, for everyday purchases I charge most everything to my Discover Credit card (except for fast food drive thru's).

I do not use my debit card anywhere besides my bank as I don't want anyone withdrawing money from my accounts besides me.

FWIW: When using a credit card, you have the credit card company for assistance when a purchase goes wrong.

John

That 3-digit "verification code" on the back of a card unlocks all the money in your account to anyone who gets hold of it. I always scrape that off the card and store a copy of it somewhere else in my billfold, or memorize it. The server who accepts your card when you pay for a meal and writes down the card number and the code can go on a shopping spree before you get home. A motel desk clerk in Illinois got a very expensive pair of shoes on my dime that way, even before I checked out the next morning. The card company refunded the charge, but it was still a hassle!
Jerry

I carry 3k to 4k on me at all times. Never know when you are driving by something that needs to go home with me.

While on my recent mc trip icecream girls tried robbing me. I gave them a 100 and they purposefully shorted me 30 bucks. As I count it and say ummmm you didn't give me the right change they say oh yea give me the 10 and I here take these two 20s........

That immediately prompts me to have a frank conversation with the manager. She knew exactly what she was doing because she knew immediately what to do to make it right. One was fired right on the spot, and told to leave. The other manager said thank you for info.