pay cash and be looked down upon?

two nights ago - i work in a convenience store near quebec city - a customer who came down from virginia (he's originally from vermont), was almost smiling when I accepted his cash payment. He told me that in Virginia, people NOT paying with a credit card (can't remember if it included debit) and looked at with funny eyes. He said that cash payment is usually reserved to "poorer" people.

Is this a widespreaded attitude?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I find this stupid, why would anyone see a person as poor for using chas over a credit card.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

That's one of the strangest things I've ever heard. If anything, I associate big wads of cash with rich people, not credit cards.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Honestly I'd rather pay for things with actual money.

People with credit cards take forever as they fumble around in their wallets looking for the right card, then you have to stand there like an idiot behind them while the transaction is approved, and then when they have to sign.

Handing over notes and coins is just heaps easier and faster.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I prefer using my debit card even for small purchases. Cash just makes it easier to get robbed. I usually only carry cash when I need it for things such as haircuts where no one really pays by credit.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I just always associate credit cards with irresponsibility. I worked at a grocery store for 2 years, and I always remembered people going through 3 cards to find one that would work. I frowned on those people.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

What the hell? Paying cash or paying with plastic would still work out pretty much the same for both parties, it just depends how your cash flow is like. Canadian consumer spending during last years Christmas holidays showed a significant increase of people using cash or debit card instead of credit cards to keep a lid on things. Those are smart and wise people. As a matter of fact, isn't there a nomimal charge by the bank or credit card company to the merchant for every transaction? Like a 3 cent charge? Most privately owned small scale shops would love to get their sales in cold hard cash, you don't have to reconcile with the bank statements nor have to bicker with them for any bad transactions.

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I haven't seen it happen anywhere in Milwaukee, WI, and as far as I know, cash is still happily accepted everywhere, and in some cases, it's still the only form of payment (such as a parking meter lol). I myself prefer to use my debit card, cause oftentimes it's really fast, and I dont' have to worry about carrying a lot of cash on me. Plus, if my card is lost or stolen, I can report it and hopefully won't lose that money, whereas with cash, if I lost that $100 bill, I'm out $100 (I did once lose $200 cause my wallet fell out of my pocket. What really sucked was I had just gone to the ATM to pull money out). I still keep a little bit of cash on me though, for those times I want to pay with cash, or want to get a soda from the vending machine (which still only takes money).

I suppose in the future we will probably just use cards and electronic cash (credits similiar to sci-fi stories/movies), but until then, I can't see paper money and coins going away anytime soon. People still largely have the idea that paper money and coins are worth something, and that you can use them to pay for services and items (beats carrying around large stuff to barter with like in the old days). But I'm sure a time will come when people will just use little cards to do all their financial transactions, and anything else won't be accepted. I hope they're already thinking about this stuff, how to use it, and what hackers and other crooks might try to do to illegaly obtain money.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I'd figure stores prefer cash since they pay for being able to accept credit cards, etc. on those transactions. I keep cash on me for situations where I can't use a credit card. Otherwise, I always try to use a credit card on my purchases. And then I always pay it back in full when I get my monthly bill... builds my credit rating like no other.

Actually, when I was in Best Buy today, the checkout line was unusually long. A register opened up but was only accepting debit/credit cards. I was able to skip pass the 4 people in front of me and pay for my stuff (Trauma Center: Under the Knife and a GC Memory Card FYI). So I just felt like a winner at that moment.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I use cash or debit. I don't even have a credit card...

I haven't ever really wanted one because it seems like just asking for insta-debt! I'd rather not take the risk, ya know? If you have the money, you have the money. If you don't... DON'T BUY IT.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I like using a credit card. As soon as I was legally to apply for one, I did. I remember it quite clearly, it was for some eBay rewards credit card, but I didn't qualify, seeing as I was just barely out of high school without any credit history. Anyway, I was able to apply for a credit card through my bank that I still have to this day. I don't use it anymore since I have a new card from the same bank that has a rewards program, but I still have it.

If at all possible I try to always use my credit card. My first thinking about my first card was that, well, I guess it would help make my credit rating better if I used my card as often as possible. I only use it when I know I have enough to pay it off right away, and usually the day I charge something to my card I also go online and pay it off right away, so I don't have to worry about getting into debt or having late payments, although sometimes I haven't paid it off right away, but at least in time before it was considered late, or so I think, I haven't ever been sent a late notice or anything, so I think it's all cool.

Now I try to use my credit card as much as possible because I get 5% cash back rewards on most purchases I make. I haven't really checked my points and all that, but I think you only get to use them after a year of making purchases, I'm not sure yet, I'll have to look into it. Hopefully I'll remember to look into it and get some money back, so it should be a win-win situation using the credit card here. I always try to have my credit card, debit card, and cash if I have some, at least $20 in my wallet at all times.

But some places don't accept my Visa, don't use debit, and just take only cash, so that's why I've always gotta have some cash on me. And if worse comes to worse I'll have to go to my bank or find one of their ATMs to get some money using my debit card. I guess the mentality is that only rich people, or at least those that are better off financially use credit cards. You've seen those commercials where those big wig executives go out to eat at a fancy restaurant and their credit card gets declined. Here's a funny movie clip from a recently favorite comedian of mine that is kind of a parody to those situations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr9PIOu3Hds.

It is a lot more convenient to have my credit card with me though, even though some places only take cash or have special express lanes for cash customers, because let's say you have to make a big purchase, maybe something costs $1000, like a Plasma TV. Would you want to be walking about with a big fat wad of $20s in your pocket to pay for the TV, or would you rather walk around with a little piece of plastic? I think it's more safe walking about with the plastic, it's easier to conceal, much more safer. If you were walking around with such a fat stack it's like a big sign on your back saying "Rob me!"

But you've also got to be careful not to lose it or have it stolen, etc. I was a mini victim of identity theft earlier this year, someone apparently charged my card for an order of flowers about $55 worth on the other side of the country! I still have my card, so I have no idea how whoever charged it got ahold of my numbers and was able to use it, but so far no other charges have come up on the card, so I should be safe. My brother was a victim of identity theft and had thousands of dollars loaded onto his name and account and it took him a long time and a bunch of bullshit to get it all cleared up. Fucking scumbags out there I tell you.

Also, some places only take credit cards, like online merchants, so that was another reason I got my credit card, to buy stuff online. So, I'd say it's best to have a variety of ways to pay, because you never know if you're American Express is going to be accepted at that particular store or if that mom and pop shop even have a debit card terminal set up for you to use. I think that's about it.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Phoque le PQ

two nights ago - i work in a convenience store near quebec city - a customer who came down from virginia...

I think you mean "came up." Otherwise, education has been lying to me all this time.

Although I'd much rather pay with a debit card than cash, I see no problem with either. No, I've never heard of people being considered poor simply because they pay with cash. Maybe there's some kind of logic that if they pay with cash, they can't afford a credit card. But that's just silly. I can't afford one myself, but I wouldn't want one. Cash and debit are more efficient ways for paying for things.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Phoque le PQ

He told me that in Virginia, people NOT paying with a credit card (can't remember if it included debit) and looked at with funny eyes.

So where in Virginia is he from?

'Cause, I live in Virginia and I have never seen that happen - ever. I would think that any form of payment would bring a smile upon the faces of those receiving it.


Anyways, I tend to do a mix of the two, though it depends on the amount of cash in my wallet. When I do have cash then I use cash, if I don't have enough cash then I'll use my credit card.

Simple.

I was speaking idiomatically.

It's not just paying cash, it's how they pay. If a person pulls out their wallet and hands me $5, I don't think anything of it. On the other hand, if person pulls out a thick wad of cash and peels off a $20 (especially if they've pulled that cash from out of their bra), then I tend to look down on them.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

About a year ago my husband and I cut up all of our credit cards and began the looooonnnng process of paying them off, and paying for EVERYTHING with either cash or a check. On principle, we even stopped using our debit cards.

I have definitely noticed a different attitude since I've started paying with cash. People look at you like you're just a little bit less classy when you pay with cash. And it's not just like that from the salesperson's point of view, either. I remember when we first started doing this cash thing, I told my husband one night that it just felt so tacky to pay with cash...almost dirty. Especially when you walk into a store to buy a bigger ticket item. For example, we bought one of those cool new washer and dryer sets a while back (Maytag Neptune series) that has the glass front doors where you can see your laundry tumbling around. I remember having a conversation on the way home about how we felt like a couple of drug dealers or mobsters or something walking in that store and paying for them with cash.

I don't understand it either.

How ya doing, buddy?

I'd have been more surprised to see someone pay by credit/debit card to be honest, I suppose thats since I worked in a bookshop at the time though.

There are a few shops where that would tend to happen though, mainly stocking luxury items being sold at stupid prices, i've been given the "is this dirty money?" stare in those ones as a result of whipping out 500euro in notes to pay.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Acro-nym

I think you mean "came up." Otherwise, education has been lying to me all this time.

actually, it's my lack of education. i'm still not fully bilingual :P

Quote:

That's one of the strangest things I've ever heard. If anything, I associate big wads of cash with rich people, not credit cards

I was only saying what he told me. I find it strange too, believe me.
However, I have to say I prefer to see people using cards (whatver the kind) over people paying a pack of gum with a 20$ bill

Jam it back in, in the dark.

In my area, paying cash is still the more common thing to see. Of course, when you live in Northwestern Ontario, everything is a litle slower than everyone else in the country.

I personally would rather pay in cash, but the majority of the time, I end up paying debit. Mostly because when I have cash, I spend it more quickly.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Most people I've observed tend to pay by credit/debit. I was a cashier for a few months last summer as well, and I would get about thirty or so customers daily who paid using a card. Writing a check also seems to be more uncommon than paying by cash. I rarely see anyone writing checks, and I personally only use mine when making university payments.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Ryuu

So where in Virginia is he from?

'Cause, I live in Virginia and I have never seen that happen - ever. I would think that any form of payment would bring a smile upon the faces of those receiving it.

This is like deja vu b/c I had a dream about this. Were you living on the east side or west side of VA? I stayed there for a while when I was younger, but it was the western part where people acted preppy but had a very thick hillbilly accent. I never seen anyone have any problems with cash.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

About a year ago my husband and I cut up all of our credit cards and began the looooonnnng process of paying them off, and paying for EVERYTHING with either cash or a check. On principle, we even stopped using our debit cards.

I have definitely noticed a different attitude since I've started paying with cash. People look at you like you're just a little bit less classy when you pay with cash. And it's not just like that from the salesperson's point of view, either. I remember when we first started doing this cash thing, I told my husband one night that it just felt so tacky to pay with cash...almost dirty. Especially when you walk into a store to buy a bigger ticket item. For example, we bought one of those cool new washer and dryer sets a while back (Maytag Neptune series) that has the glass front doors where you can see your laundry tumbling around. I remember having a conversation on the way home about how we felt like a couple of drug dealers or mobsters or something walking in that store and paying for them with cash.

I don't understand it either.

My parents are doing the same thing. They have been using cash and credit for years until all the "fixed rate" credit cards decided, "Hey, instead of having 12% interest let's make it...16%...then 19%...then 24%!" They were never late on any of their bill payments.

I never, ever want to get a credit card. I'm very frugal with money even though I only made $3.45 an hour at both of my jobs last semester. I like paying with cash b/c I don't see why I should pay some unknown company $500 when I only paid $100 for an item. Yes, my math is way off, but I'm not good with doing long-term interest in my head.

I have a debit card since the on-line sites won't allow people to pay with cash or check. I don't feel secure with credit or debit since it's easy to get the numbers and rack up some major bills. Also, I have the feeling that the credit card companies would try to force me to pay for $10,000 worth of beastiality porn if my credit card was stolen regardless of the policy (I don't have a lot of trust for credit sharks).

I think I'll stick with cash. If people stare I'll at least know that I won't have to pay more than I have to for an item. I like saving money and not worrying about companies and such jacking up the bills and having no way to defend myself without spending a lot of money on a lawyer on a case that I probably won't win.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Phoque le PQ

two nights ago - i work in a convenience store near quebec city - a customer who came down from virginia (he's originally from vermont), was almost smiling when I accepted his cash payment. He told me that in Virginia, people NOT paying with a credit card (can't remember if it included debit) and looked at with funny eyes. He said that cash payment is usually reserved to "poorer" people.

Is this a widespreaded attitude?

Not here in Georgia. I can't believe he'd even fix his mouth to say that.

And just because someone pays with credit or debit does not mean they have loads of money. It's all about preferences. I don't have a lot of money in the bank but I don't like carrying cash on me, I pay 95% of everything with debit.

Quote:

Writing a check also seems to be more uncommon than paying by cash. I rarely see anyone writing checks, and I personally only use mine when making university payments.

Takes too long, plus stores, other places have 'regulations' on how much the check can be written for.

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That's pretty strange, maybe it's a social thing in his particular community.

I can see that being maybe being frowned on for purchases over a couple hundred or so, but not for small things. I think cash is much more convenient for normal items since it sort of looks weird itself (well at least to me) if you used a debit/credit card for a purchase under, say, $5. Plus, debit cards waste time with pins and waiting for approval, and credit with signing receipts. I would much rather be paid in cash as well if I were a cashier.

Now writing checks is the most uncommon thing, and as rude as I may be, I'd probably coneceal a strange look if I saw someone doing that at a supermarket or something.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It's a stupid way to look at things. Hell, food stamps and payments to Katrina Evacuees were done with debit cards. My older brother prefers to pay with cash (he's a security freak), and he sure as shit isn't some poor hobo. It's just a stupid way this fellow interpretted things.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

About a year ago my husband and I cut up all of our credit cards and began the looooonnnng process of paying them off, and paying for EVERYTHING with either cash or a check. On principle, we even stopped using our debit cards.

See, I never considered someone that would conciously refuse to use plastic. If I see someone pay cash on a big ticket item, I always assume they're either one of those paranoid people who don't trust banks, or they're not fiscally responsible enough to have a credit card (i.e., banks won't extend them credit). Even if you don't use a credit card, which I don't either all that much, why can't you use debit? There's no extra fee involved, and if someone steals your wallet/purse, they're not getting a huge chunk of cash.

How ya doing, buddy?

Cash is generally seen as a positive thing in my area. I bought my textbooks in cash a few days ago, and impressed someone. Afterward, I explained to them I only use cash.

I like to be able to 'feel' how much money I'm spending. Checking and credit cards aren't for me. Plus, paying credit card bills? No thank you.

Jam it back in, in the dark.