Do You Carry Cash?

jpv on 24/03/2017 - 14:56
Last edited 24/03/2017 - 18:32 by 1 other user

A few weeks ago, I went to a RSL while I was waiting for a mate. I ordered a beer for $4 and went to pay by card. The bartender looked at me weird and said "You're not paying by card". I asked if there was a minimum and he said "For something this small, you're not paying card". The RSL accepted EFTPOS, Mastercard and VISA since their were signs and stickers on the registers. Luckily, I had a few churchies in my pocket to pay for it.

I've rarely carried cash since I mainly pay for everything by card. I understand if a small mum and dad shop or small restaurant doesn't accept card but for an RSL, I'd except that they'd be happy to take card for any purchase.

So the question is for the ozbargainers: Do you carry cash?

Poll Options

  • 366
    Always. e.g. Cash 24x7
  • 139
    Sometimes. e.g. Take cash out occasionally
  • 360
    Rarely. e.g. Someone gave you cash for a meal because you were paying by card
  • 141
    Never. e.g. Always pay by card
Financial

Comments

    • dufflover on 26/03/2017 - 22:31

      No you're just really impatient if you can't wait 5 seconds for someone to type in a PIN.
      These days no matter how you actually present the card I find it's automatic in whether it asks you for a PIN or not like on the value. Actually I think that's an AMEX thing.

      • callum9999 on 27/03/2017 - 10:26

        Well yes, by definition it's being impatient but that doesn't mean it's not justifiable. Just like people would rightfully get annoyed if I wanted to do a little dance before every transaction ("it's only 10 seconds, don't be impatient!")

        What you mean "these days"? It's always been automatic based on the value and its not just an AMEX thing. PayPass etc have never been PIN-free for an unlimited amount.

      • Schezwon on 30/03/2017 - 16:40

        5 seconds. . Lol that's how long it takes for tap and go. . You must be a wizard.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2017 - 23:41

      I have to because tap n go doesnt work. Ive been issued cards many times where it didnt work, so I gave up. Dont have time to update credit card details with companies that auto deduct. Many dont allow you to change online so i would have to wait on the phone for 45 mins for each one.

  • freakatronic on 25/03/2017 - 20:59
    +2

    Paying for anything is so 2010. I usually just stab whomever is attempting to serve me and take whatever I want, knowing full well that the justice system will only reward me for my misdeeds.

  • Shame on 25/03/2017 - 21:06
    -2

    I'm running for Parliament in 15 years so I'm all cash except for bills. The plan is:
    1) Run as a candidate for one of the major parties in 2032
    2) Pay a hacker to get my opponite's electronic banking records
    3) Leak said records to the media highlighting their disgraceful transactions buying alcohol, p*rn, bibles, etc. (Whatever is considered bad in 2032)
    4) They pull out of the race and i win in a landslide
    5) Retire on a sweet life long Parlimentary pension.

  • mataeka on 25/03/2017 - 22:04
    +2

    Live in Brisbane - never have cash on me (except when I sell something on gumtree - it then gets deposited to the bank within a week)

    I occasionally get cash out now when I visit rellies in Gympie - because they don't always except card - have had no problems in Brisbane though - plus this way my purchases earn me flybuys points for no effort and I get an extra month to pay it off ;)

  • DryScissors on 25/03/2017 - 22:09
    +1

    I don't even carry a wallet anymore since switching to Apple Pay. I have no idea where my wallet is either.

  • Inzo on 25/03/2017 - 22:16
    +1

    I was waiting for a mate

    James, is that you?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71DIT6hYXYo

    • realfancyman on 25/03/2017 - 22:16

      haha love that clip

      • Inzo on 25/03/2017 - 22:20
        +1

        right?

        Definitive? Can You define that?

  • noise36 on 25/03/2017 - 22:38

    A bar that doesnt have paypass/paywave I wouldnt be going back to unless it was otherwise really good.

  • Kranbone on 25/03/2017 - 22:43

    I find tap and go convenient. Also means less chance of someone handling money and then food.

  • 50cent on 25/03/2017 - 23:58

    I once used my card for 3cents…legit !!

    • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2017 - 10:15

      me too my giftcard at woolworths was 3 cents short of the total lol

  • kingzservingJesus on 26/03/2017 - 03:30

    It was always natural to put some cash in my underwear or sock/s when ever I had no pockets? Yep the cool old days.

    • Stphen on 26/03/2017 - 13:23

      Coins in a sock make a decent weapon, credit cards in a sock not so good.

  • noz on 26/03/2017 - 06:50
    +4

    I find it a bit odd that Aldi charge a 0.5% surcharge for paying by credit. I realise it is to cover their extra cost for that payment method, but I would have thought it would be better for them to encourage people to pay by card as it is faster, especially when using paywave/paypass. I've seen people paying by cash and scrounging through their purse looking for those 10c and 5c pieces, and it can really slow the queue down.

  • cybapete on 26/03/2017 - 07:33

    i don't carry much cash on me because if i have a full wallet i end up spending it
    just $40 in case i go somewhere that doesn't take cards and eftpos for everything else

  • djmm on 26/03/2017 - 07:37
    +3

    How can you buy vietnamese bread roll if you got no cash?

    • humdingaling on 28/03/2017 - 14:45

      any vietnamese food really

      all the food stores must have really sh!tty vendors as the eftpos is always down!

      • djmm on 28/03/2017 - 17:28

        Yeah and even though u see long queue everyday for some reason they dont make money come tax return time.

  • Elnato on 26/03/2017 - 09:31
    -1

    It's not the fact its just cash, it's the small amount, they get charged fees per transaction and on something under $10 isn't worth it, that's usually the case with small retailers pubs clubs etc, markets are another occasion you'd want cash, also if your haggling cash works a lot better

  • BradH13 on 26/03/2017 - 09:51

    Only time I physically hold cash is when someone pays me with it, but even then - only if they insist. I prefer an EFT or PayPal.

    If a business doesn't take electronic payments, well then that's too bad for them.

  • ankor on 26/03/2017 - 10:17

    Since I've stopped carrying cash, I've spent less on random stuff. So I try not to carry cash, and only really take it out for the fruit/veggie markets on the weekend.

  • zine21 on 26/03/2017 - 10:43
    +1

    I wouldn't feel comfortable placing all my eggs in the ATM/eftpos basket so having cash for me is pretty important. I mean who bothers paying with a card for something that's $2-5. Besides what's the back up plan when Atm can't be used for what ever reason ? (some places don't accept it)

    • callum9999 on 27/03/2017 - 10:32

      Perhaps I'm not as exciting as the typical Ozbargainer, but I'm not constantly going to new obscure shops that don't take cards. No wonder so many of you can't control your spending unless you limit yourself with cash!

      • zine21 on 27/03/2017 - 20:02

        Its not exactly "new and obscure". Its more like old fashioned, local shops/grocers/fish markets/ weekend markets etc.

        I'm pretty disciplined so it has nothing to do with using cash as a limitation.

  • Djtommyca on 26/03/2017 - 10:54
    +2

    To avoid tracking from Banks, Goverment agency,Stores I Always paid in cash

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2017 - 11:57
    +1

    Have to carry cash if you want to be able to pay for your meal in a restaurant that is trying to dodge tax on their income. That is why some places have unreasonably high minimums to use EFTPOS despite most banks either forbidding it or requiring the merchant get permission first.

    Set minimum amounts for eftpos/credit card to force customers to use cash which you can leave out of your tax reporting, get workers on 457 visas you can exploit, rake in the profit.

  • Shwayne on 26/03/2017 - 13:09

    I carry about $70 but I avoid using cash wherever possible.

    I don't want to use cash unless in an emergency.

    I often will Splitwise to get over limits to avoid cash transactions.

  • Stphen on 26/03/2017 - 13:20

    I always have cash it is quicker in a lot of situations.

    When I go to the local supermarket there seems to be always someone at the front of the line having a problem with their card and lately I have noticed people are having problems paying with their phone. Last week, one young girl in the express line seemed to take forever to pay for a carton of milk, first her phone would not work, then looking for a credit card that worked.

  • bargdebarg on 26/03/2017 - 13:21

    It's only a matter of time until we're a cashless society

  • OfTheOverflow on 26/03/2017 - 13:27

    Sometimes. I pay for everything with paypass/paywave, if there's a minimum I usually have a 20 squirreled between my phone case and my phone haha. I do dread having to shop down at my local Asian grocer where their minimum is $10 and I just want milk and/or bread, to the point where I sometimes just walk a bit longer to the servo instead.

  • cloudy on 26/03/2017 - 13:47

    anyone who doesn't carry cash obviously doesn't get cheap fresh fruits and meats from markets, coz most of them only accept cash as there isn't the infrastructure to economically accept card.

    personally, cash places are cheaper than card places is my experience. One theory is, they save on merchant fees for the terminal. Probably costs ~$100 per month for the usual small business to take card instead of cash.

    • plmko on 26/03/2017 - 14:26
      +1

      most of them only accept cash as there isn't the infrastructure to economically accept card.

      I can tell you, it's so they can cheat tax at the end of the year. Cash only means no way the transaction shows up anywhere.

      • cloudy on 26/03/2017 - 20:00
        -2

        Thanks for the insight. Where do u work, tax office? Lol

      • callum9999 on 27/03/2017 - 10:38

        No… Sometimes it's to avoid tax. Sometimes it's to save on fees/hassle. Sometimes it's because they are luddites and their customers aren't turned away by that.

    • callum9999 on 27/03/2017 - 10:36

      You're correct, I don't as no such market exists anywhere near me.

      Though why I would need to carry cash all the time for that scenario is beyond me. I thought those markets were generally in the same place at the same time - do they pop up at random times and locations near you, far away from any ATMs, requiring you to be prepared 24/7?

  • Freshie on 26/03/2017 - 13:58

    I try to carry around 20$ whenever I go out for situations like this. 50 or so if i go to an event like a concert just in case any stalls are cash only or some emergency that may arise

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2017 - 14:21

    I carry cash but not heaps unless it's a holiday or something.
    Go to USA each year to see wife's family and seem to carry around more cash then. Force of habit?
    Hate coins but do usually keep about 50-100$ on me I guess.

  • BertieBrown on 26/03/2017 - 17:12
    +4

    Is it just me or does the guy described at the RSL sound like a bit of a toss?

    • callum9999 on 27/03/2017 - 10:40
      +1

      If that's a direct quote I'd go as far as to say disciplinary action should be taken against him! If I was spoken to like that there's no way I'd hand over cash, maybe the OP was paraphrasing.

  • sagitox on 26/03/2017 - 18:22

    Always have some cash in my purse. Some places you need it and I don't mind having it.

  • anthony1106 on 26/03/2017 - 19:57
    +1

    http://imgur.com/a/MtsIb
    This is a merchant quote from one of big 4 banks
    this might help to understand why.

  • ExtraSalt on 26/03/2017 - 21:34

    i pay by CC about 90% of the time, about 70% of those via AMEX and 20% MSCD. I have cash sometimes but even then, i do cardless cash transactions.

  • Arrrthy on 26/03/2017 - 21:39

    I've a company visa, two bank issued credit cards and two debit cards and on the one night i didn't have any cash, I had to sit through to two different drive thrus and leave empty handed because eftpos was out in the area. True story

  • imurgod on 26/03/2017 - 22:07
    -1

    People still carry cash today? What a novel idea!

  • OzJD on 26/03/2017 - 23:00

    I usually carry a small amount of cash. Sometimes I carry just my phone and licence.

    I've had to avoid making purchases at stores due to their lack of card acceptance or minimum amounts. I've started to notice that some places are advertising 'no minimum' on their POS terminals.

    With that said, NSW has started issuing licences on their phone apps (not incl. Drivers Licence yet) and it won't be long until I don't carry any wallet - it's just not needed anymore.

    • Tealblue on 27/03/2017 - 01:37

      Until all you need is your phone… Your expensive, battery-powered smartphone tracking your location, purchases, contacts, calls, texts, and internet history. 24/7. Locking you into being a consumer requiring you to lock into one operating system type requiring a usually ongoing plan with one of the main telcos or their competitors using their infrastructure for your now daily habits and needs in order to properly function like the majority do in this society.

      I'm all good with convenience usually. But we should still have a choice. And privacy. Or more control over it.

      • callum9999 on 27/03/2017 - 10:45
        1. My phone isn't expensive.
        2. I don't care about being tracked.
        3. I'm already locked into being a consumer, I quite like being a consumer in fact.
        4. You're not locked into one operating system.
        5. You're not locked into plans.
      • OzJD on 27/03/2017 - 15:26

        Yes, a choice. You have your choice and I have mine. I have already chosen to be a consumer, to have a smartphone, to be tracked, etc. - so having cards on my phone is a convenience.

        Callum's post is perfect, except my phone is expensive (Pixel XL)

  • TheBird on 26/03/2017 - 23:44
    +2

    For times like this, I try to keep a $100 bill in my wallet.

    You can only imagine, "You're not paying with a $100 note"

  • vietken89 on 27/03/2017 - 06:04

    Always carry minimum $200 because I live near so many asian suburbs and we all know how they do business sighsss

  • TrailerTrash on 27/03/2017 - 07:00

    Auckland are miles ahead of us when it comes to EFTPOS, few years back living there I never carried ANY cash as even the small Asian Grocer would accept cards and NO minimum!

    I remember Mrs TT bought one cheese roll for the kid at Bakers Delight and tapped for something like $0.80 and I was speechless!

    Since coming back to Oz, I've had to make sure there's some cash on hand when scenarios like OP's occur.

    • OzJD on 27/03/2017 - 15:27

      BUT almost nowhere has paywave / PayPass compared to Australia.

  • jjjaar on 27/03/2017 - 08:13

    Always have cash on my but sometimes I go a month with the same $20 bill in my wallet

  • VehemenceThePhoenix on 27/03/2017 - 10:07

    I answered always, because it's useful to always try keeping some as it is occasionally necessary. Even if I have cash, though, I use my credit card wherever I can, even for a few dollars for a drink.

  • jellykingdom on 27/03/2017 - 10:22

    I was listening to the ABC radio this morning and they were talking about cashless economy and people carrying cash "for emergencies". But what they really need to be doing is making it illegal for shops to NOT have credit card facilities. I was just in NZ and you can buy just about ANYTHING with credit card (I literally bought a $2 iceblock from a stall with CC), and you can also split the bill at every restaurant I visited. But over here, good luck finding a Chinese takeaway that will accept a card. Hell, even in country town I bought a hotdog from a guy who had a Square reader. I truly believe that every single new business that opens in Australia should be required by law to have card facilities. I don't object to having a $10 minimum (one takeaway had a $30 minimum!!!!), but the better option is to have a 50c surcharge on <$10 transaction

    I carry a single $20 most of the time in case I need something desperately and the shop is a prick and won't take my card, or have a minimum limit

    • tomsco on 27/03/2017 - 10:58

      But the thing that frustrates me with minimums is that for users of the Big 4 banks, credit card transactions are generally a percentage of the transaction (I understand smaller providers such as square may be different and charge a per transaction fee). I only really know of EFTPOS being a strict per transaction fee.

      And therefore, the way I see it is what's wrong accepting 10 $1 transactions at 1% vs 1 $10 transaction at 1%. At the end of the day, you've spent the same percentage on fees, but you have more happy customers that may come back.

  • CVonC on 27/03/2017 - 11:44

    As if the bar tender had the right to force you to pay by cash if there's no minimum. Why didn't you stand your ground if that's how you wanted to pay? Bar tender sounds like a wan|<er tbh.

    • BertieBrown on 27/03/2017 - 17:57
      +1

      This, but then again the BT, potentially being a tool, might have also had an argument about payment method if OP had objected. Prob easier to either pay cash or just walk away. What's that saying about arguing with morons? No really I forgot, there's this saying that's sort of like if you argue with an idiot then everyone is..? It's more or less crap, but you get the idea. I think you get the idea. I'm not really sure what I'm talking about anymore. :/

      • tomsco on 28/03/2017 - 09:20
        +2

        You can't win an argument with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

  • sendoor on 27/03/2017 - 12:44

    The coffee shop next to me sell $1 coffee. He prefer tap and go

  • jerjergege on 27/03/2017 - 12:51

    Never, but I do leave coins in the car for old meter parking, however there are new ones that take card.

  • i0k-0RU2zd10c on 27/03/2017 - 15:41

    I carry lots of dollar coins, because if I walk down Melbourne CBD, I'd get harassed by homeless people, so I just give them $1 to STFU.

  • Cluster on 27/03/2017 - 16:52

    I always carry cash (about $80) due to two main reasons:

    • A couple of sports clubs I frequent only take cash payments. Another charges an extortionate EFTPOS fee of $2 on any transaction, so paying $17to use the facilities attracts an 11% fee.

    • Electronic transactions don't always work. The EFTPOS terminal may be broken on the day, or my personal experience was buying petrol during September 2016's state wide blackout in South Australia. Power was restored to the service station but the banking infrastructure had not been reset yet, so all transactions were cash only.

    • BertieBrown on 27/03/2017 - 17:53

      Had no idea about servo's doing this in SA; went to Bunnies when they'd lost their network and they still took savings EFT but wanted a signature for the payment. I guess it's a different kettle if you've got no power though bc Bunnings still had power to run the trans through their hardware.

      • Cluster on 27/03/2017 - 18:01

        The service station I visited had power, and all their terminals worked but they had no connectivity to the outside world so couldn't run any electronic payments. Maybe an exchange was down between them and the CBD, or whichever bank they were connected to was down. For people who didn't have cash their license and rego details were taken for payment at a later time, but you were out of luck if you just wanted to buy some snacks.

        I think it's important to always have some cash on hand as you never know when you'll find yourself in a situation where everything is not working perfectly. Banks have down times too (CBA, NAB and Westpac a few times last year).

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2017 - 19:06

    I had 120 dollars in my wallet for god knows how long. I always pay by card and like the op senario i have had a few free drinks… sometimes they chase me down and happy to pay card but yeah.

  • Strahany on 28/03/2017 - 01:10
    +1

    Recently I started exclusively using cash for just about all my spending, barring direct debit for bills. I find that withdrawing a set amount of cash per week is an idiot proof way of keeping within a budget. If I run out of cash, then that's it. If I have extra, I put it aside at home and I dip into that, rather than my savings account, if I run out, or want to purchase something for fun. All my other income is saved in the long term. I just can't be bothered micromanaging information in apps or similar.

    Of course, I still carry my debit card just in case, but I found that the descriptions for eftpos transactions on my bank statement are often confusing and I would find myself searching odd company names to decipher what store this name represented.

    Prior to this, though, I was always using eftpos for convenience but still carried some cash just in case. The reason why is simple:
    How many places do you see that are cash only?
    How many places do you see that are card only?
    How many times have you seen an error meaning card can't be taken?
    How many times have you seen an error meaning cash can't be taken?

    It's fairly simply logic; cash is objectively more versatile, and I don't mind carrying a wallet. For those that say card is superior; if you require a law change, such as mandatory acceptance of card, in order for your position of "card master race" to become tenable, then your assertion is not overly convincing.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/03/2017 - 08:18

    KEEP CASH GOING, ALWAYS !!!
    The GOVT and the BANKS can't spy on your cash purchases.
    But they know every single cent spent with cards.
    Besides, the cheaper hookers don't take cards…….

    • mranderson978 on 28/03/2017 - 14:15

      That's because they don't carry portable EFTPOS terminals for VISA etc. They do carry all sorts of STDs though.

  • malouphix on 28/03/2017 - 09:42

    I shop in SunnyBank, QLD - cash 24/7/365
    Apparently, the area is known for faulty EFTPOS terminals.

  • j05h on 28/03/2017 - 11:06

    I dont even have a wallet that holds cash, only cards. Gets me stuck every so often though.

  • RocketSwitch on 28/03/2017 - 11:55

    Rarely.

  • mranderson978 on 28/03/2017 - 14:13
    +1

    I carry cash. You never know when you might need it.

  • John Kimble on 28/03/2017 - 17:00

    Yes I always carry a little bit of cash as a backup (e.g. $50 to $100), but will use card as 1st preference.

  • altomic on 03/04/2017 - 22:24

    I only use cash. I don't want the gummint to know what I spend my money on.

  • MiniatureDino on 05/04/2017 - 19:13

    I mostly pay by card but I keep some cash with me for instance if I need it.

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