3 ms·

If Massachusetts says you owe money, they must accept cash. That's the point of cash being "legal tender", you cannot refuse it if someone is trying to settle a

If Massachusetts says you owe money, they must accept cash. That's the point of cash being "legal tender", you cannot refuse it if someone is trying to settle a debt. That said, it might be really hard to figure out how to pay in cash.

ska 5y ago
That's potentially interesting: legal tender means it must be accepted to settle certain debts and contractual obligations, but it doesn't mean you must accept it for transactions. Something like EZ pass seems potentially gray area; can they just say "well don't use these roads if you don't like the payment terms" ? I suspect you are right that with a state agency they probably have to provide some way for you to settle a debt (plus possible penalties) in cash, but they don't have to make it convenient.
- henryfjordan 5y ago
  If there was a gate at the entrance to the road and they verified you had an EZ Pass before letting you drive onto their road, sure. It's the same as a coffee shop not giving you any coffee until you've paid using a credit card. If they put up a sign that said "don't use these roads if you don't like the payment terms" and then you drove on the road anyway, that would technically form a contract between EZ Pass and the driver. However, contracts are made to be broken and any damages would be payable in cash so we're back to the start. The legal tender thing has nothing to do with the agency being part of the state. Private debtors must also accept cash.
  - ska 5y ago
    > Private debtors must also accept cash. Right, debtors do but merchants don't. And merchants can put terms on it, which was the point I wanted to make. If the sign says, "you can use this toll road if you either use EZ pass or accept our pay-by-mail system", then there seems to be no reason you have to include "cash" as one of the options. Of course if you fail to pay, then you do owe them a debt (fee + penalties + whatever) and I think you are right they have to somehow accept cash, but that doesn't have to be made easy for you. Agree its not a state vs. private issue, I should have been clearer.
giobox 5y ago
EZ Pass website says debts can be settled in cash at their service centers. So yes you can settle in cash, but it is likely a massive pain to do as you suggest. Their site also says you can prepay your tolls in cash, to have account in credit, using the same service centers. I suspect almost no one does. "Cash or Credit/Debit cards are accepted at any of our Customer Service Centers." > https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassma https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassma > https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassservicecenters https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassservicecenters
- deathanatos 5y ago
  … so at the time of the example, I would have needed to travel ~3,000 mi, then. And… you have to sign up, get a transponder, keep said transponder in your car and allow them to track your movements with it. (Which, admittedly, they can probably already do by reading license plates. Might as well just broadcast it on radio?)
  - shagie 5y ago
    > Might as well just broadcast it on radio? You likely do. If you are worried about people tracking your movements, don't carry a phone or have a hands free link in the car. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jat/2020/9541234/ https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jat/2020/9541234/ https://tti.tamu.edu/researcher/now-taking-it-to-the-streets-collecting-travel-time-data-speed-with-bluetooth-technology/ https://tti.tamu.edu/researcher/now-taking-it-to-the-streets...

ska 5y ago

That's potentially interesting: legal tender means it must be accepted to settle certain debts and contractual obligations, but it doesn't mean you must accept it for transactions. Something like EZ pass seems potentially gray area; can they just say "well don't use these roads if you don't like the payment terms" ? I suspect you are right that with a state agency they probably have to provide some way for you to settle a debt (plus possible penalties) in cash, but they don't have to make it convenient.

henryfjordan 5y ago
If there was a gate at the entrance to the road and they verified you had an EZ Pass before letting you drive onto their road, sure. It's the same as a coffee shop not giving you any coffee until you've paid using a credit card. If they put up a sign that said "don't use these roads if you don't like the payment terms" and then you drove on the road anyway, that would technically form a contract between EZ Pass and the driver. However, contracts are made to be broken and any damages would be payable in cash so we're back to the start. The legal tender thing has nothing to do with the agency being part of the state. Private debtors must also accept cash.
- ska 5y ago
  > Private debtors must also accept cash. Right, debtors do but merchants don't. And merchants can put terms on it, which was the point I wanted to make. If the sign says, "you can use this toll road if you either use EZ pass or accept our pay-by-mail system", then there seems to be no reason you have to include "cash" as one of the options. Of course if you fail to pay, then you do owe them a debt (fee + penalties + whatever) and I think you are right they have to somehow accept cash, but that doesn't have to be made easy for you. Agree its not a state vs. private issue, I should have been clearer.

giobox 5y ago

EZ Pass website says debts can be settled in cash at their service centers. So yes you can settle in cash, but it is likely a massive pain to do as you suggest. Their site also says you can prepay your tolls in cash, to have account in credit, using the same service centers. I suspect almost no one does. "Cash or Credit/Debit cards are accepted at any of our Customer Service Centers." > https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassma https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassma > https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassservicecenters https://www.ezdrivema.com/ezpassservicecenters

deathanatos 5y ago
… so at the time of the example, I would have needed to travel ~3,000 mi, then. And… you have to sign up, get a transponder, keep said transponder in your car and allow them to track your movements with it. (Which, admittedly, they can probably already do by reading license plates. Might as well just broadcast it on radio?)
- shagie 5y ago
  > Might as well just broadcast it on radio? You likely do. If you are worried about people tracking your movements, don't carry a phone or have a hands free link in the car. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jat/2020/9541234/ https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jat/2020/9541234/ https://tti.tamu.edu/researcher/now-taking-it-to-the-streets-collecting-travel-time-data-speed-with-bluetooth-technology/ https://tti.tamu.edu/researcher/now-taking-it-to-the-streets...