Some friends of mine have just come back from a holiday in Taunton ,
Somerset . While they were there
they picked up what they thought were some dropped banknotes, but it turned out
they weren't. They were agitation flyers designed specifically to be mistaken
for banknotes so that people will be drawn to them. They photographed them; the
illustrations above. Here is the webpage they are advertising: https://www.cashisfreedom.uk. This is
a very clever promotional method. It reminds me of the "9/11 deception
dollars" that emerged after the September the 11th attacks.
"Deception pounds" were also designed to mimic British currency;
other countries had their own versions. I've also been sent a very interesting
discussion between Richard Vobes and David Murphy, aka "Allegedly
Dave". They explain that retailers cannot refuse cash because it's legal
tender. If necessary, just leave some on the counter and walk away with
whatever you've bought. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3pARiE4V4o.
Basically what I am saying is: If you want freedom, use cash!
Ben, it's not that easy to go to a shop or other business and just plonk your notes on the counter and take your goods if they refuse cash. They will likely get very angry about it and probably call the police, saying to them that it's legal tender won't make one difference. I visited a pub I'd never been to before with my friend and was surprised when he was about to pay for his drink the young bloke serving said card only (first time I've seen this in a pub in my town centre). I got a little miffed at this and started waffling on about a cashless society, much to the bewilderment (and probably worry) of the barman who probably thought I had mental issues. Later I heard him say to my friend something to do with not having cash on site due to security and not enough cash in the till. He seemed to think cash will be gone eventually.
ReplyDeleteCash isn't going anywhere, it may have been in decline for decades and be the least used form of payment but the Bank of England doesn't produce new notes and coinage for no reason.
ReplyDelete"In 2021, there was a reduction in the rate of decline in cash use, with cash accounting for 15% of all payments in the UK. Moreover, an estimated 73% of consumers said they used cash in January 2022, a notable increase from only around half of consumers in mid-2020"
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/quarterly-bulletin/2022/2022-q3/knocked-down-during-lockdown-the-return-of-cash#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20there%20was%20a,of%20consumers%20in%20mid%2D2020.
Why don't folks every actually look at the current data before jumping on every conspiracy bandwagon. A cashless society would happen as quickly as old banknotes are withdrawn if 'they' wanted it regardless of whether it's being used or not.
You're completely wrong, and I'm familiar with the citation because it is forming the basis for a future article, because I think things are looking up regarding cashlessness. As for the pub, what the barman is complaining about is something I've raised before: "...It reminds me of what the barman in The Port Mahon said to me: 'It's such a fuss to get float from the bank and keep it clogging up the till!' But retailers have been doing that since money was invented back in prehistoric times! Why is something that has always been a simple and routine practice suddenly become so burdensome? (A bit like the Northern Ireland protocol..." Source: https://hpanwo-voice.blogspot.com/2023/02/greene-king-goes-cashless.html
ReplyDeleteHi Ben,
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you on the dangers of a cashless society and try more than ever now to use cash as much as I can.
The cash conundrum faced by bars (and indeed any retailer) is not that it has suddenly become a burden to accept cash, moreover they have seen how easy is it for them NOT to accept cash:
No float needed, don't have to trust staff handling cash, no possibility of being passed forged notes, no security implication of holding large sums of cash on premise, no need for a trip to the bank to pay it in.....
So you can see why they would prefer card payments.
With regards to your point of just leaving the cash on the bar/counter, this is a common misconception as they do not have to accept your payment. It's known as "an invatation to treat" which must be accepted by both parties. The Blackbelt Barrister recetly did an article on it.
Gavin.
Hi Gavin.
ReplyDeleteSure, I'll watch BBB's video on this and also rewatch Dave's interview.
The common catchphrase of cashlessness for both the retailer and customer is "It's ever so convenient!" And I suppose it is, but handling cash and dealing with its burdens is something shops and shoppers have been doing since money was invented in prehistoric times. Why has it suddenly become such an insurmountable obstacle? This is why I draw parallels with the Brexit Northern Ireland "conundrum".
Thanks for the comment.
Ben