5 ms·

> when you can always pay cash in person One might wish that were true, but I am seeing a disturbing proliferation of "no cash accepted" signs here in Seattle.

naasking 3y ago
> I am seeing a disturbing proliferation of "no cash accepted" signs here in Seattle. Is that even legal? I thought retailers must accept all legal forms of tender.
- devilbunny 3y ago
  They cannot refuse cash for a debt that is owed, but they can refuse to conduct a transaction with it beforehand.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
  - naasking 3y ago
    What qualifies as a debt? If I walk into a cashless convenience store and eat a chocolate bar before paying, can I force them to accept cash?
    - tredre3 3y ago
      In your scenario you're not accruing a legitimate debt, you stole something (admittedly with the intention of paying for it later).
      - naasking 3y ago
        My question is, what formally distinguishes "outstanding payment" from "legitimate debt"?
        devilbunny 3y ago
        The judge. Can you leave the item behind? Were the terms explicitly stated?
- astura 3y ago
  Of course it's legal. Its also common (try paying for anything on an airplane in cash, for one example). This is such a misconception that the federal reserve has a page on it. https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12772.htm https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12772.htm >There is no federal statute mandating that a private business, a person, or an organization must accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law that says otherwise.
  - ipqk 3y ago
    What do you mean "of course". It's not legal in unincorporated Kings County outside Seattle. It's also not legal in NYC. I wouldn't be surprised in Seattle bans card-only retail in the near future.
    - astura 3y ago
      I said "of course" because it's very common for businesses to not accept cash when it's inconvenient to. Airplanes are just one example I gave. The federal reserve addresses state/local laws: >Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law that says otherwise. These laws are new and only exist in a few locales.
      - deleted 3y ago
        [deleted]
      - marssaxman 3y ago
        I can't agree that the exotic case of wanting to buy something while flying on an airplane counts as "very common"! The laws are new because the practice they react against is, generally speaking, a recent problem.
- lapetitejort 3y ago
  Not in New York: https://www.cashmatters.org/blog/why-new-york-is-defending-cash https://www.cashmatters.org/blog/why-new-york-is-defending-c... I'm seeing more cashless stores in my area and it disturbs me. Hopefully my state can adopt a similar law. I am also increasingly seeing cash prices versus card prices. I'm more inclined to pay cash for smaller shops where 3% matters to their bottom line. Plus it's always good to have a dollar on hand for buskers.
- vel0city 3y ago
  I've even seen more and more vending machines that are cash-free, only credit card transactions.
  - sofixa 3y ago
    This is a no brainer. Who the hell carries around coins and bills in small denominations for vending machines that will refuse bills that are too wrinkled or might be falling apart? A simple tap is so much more practical. Not to mention the reduced risk of miscounting/counterfeit currency, or robbery.
aurareturn 3y ago
Likely due to crimes against businesses that hold cash at the retail location? And that if you pay cash, it’s harder to ask for tips. Plus, cash is just slower to transact and you have to spend resources to count and manage. The only advantage is if you want to scam the irs.

naasking 3y ago

> I am seeing a disturbing proliferation of "no cash accepted" signs here in Seattle. Is that even legal? I thought retailers must accept all legal forms of tender.

devilbunny 3y ago
They cannot refuse cash for a debt that is owed, but they can refuse to conduct a transaction with it beforehand.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- naasking 3y ago
  What qualifies as a debt? If I walk into a cashless convenience store and eat a chocolate bar before paying, can I force them to accept cash?
  - tredre3 3y ago
    In your scenario you're not accruing a legitimate debt, you stole something (admittedly with the intention of paying for it later).
    - naasking 3y ago
      My question is, what formally distinguishes "outstanding payment" from "legitimate debt"?
      - devilbunny 3y ago
        The judge. Can you leave the item behind? Were the terms explicitly stated?
astura 3y ago
Of course it's legal. Its also common (try paying for anything on an airplane in cash, for one example). This is such a misconception that the federal reserve has a page on it. https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12772.htm https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12772.htm >There is no federal statute mandating that a private business, a person, or an organization must accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law that says otherwise.
- ipqk 3y ago
  What do you mean "of course". It's not legal in unincorporated Kings County outside Seattle. It's also not legal in NYC. I wouldn't be surprised in Seattle bans card-only retail in the near future.
  - astura 3y ago
    I said "of course" because it's very common for businesses to not accept cash when it's inconvenient to. Airplanes are just one example I gave. The federal reserve addresses state/local laws: >Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether to accept cash unless there is a state law that says otherwise. These laws are new and only exist in a few locales.
    - deleted 3y ago
      [deleted]
    - marssaxman 3y ago
      I can't agree that the exotic case of wanting to buy something while flying on an airplane counts as "very common"! The laws are new because the practice they react against is, generally speaking, a recent problem.
lapetitejort 3y ago
Not in New York: https://www.cashmatters.org/blog/why-new-york-is-defending-cash https://www.cashmatters.org/blog/why-new-york-is-defending-c... I'm seeing more cashless stores in my area and it disturbs me. Hopefully my state can adopt a similar law. I am also increasingly seeing cash prices versus card prices. I'm more inclined to pay cash for smaller shops where 3% matters to their bottom line. Plus it's always good to have a dollar on hand for buskers.
vel0city 3y ago
I've even seen more and more vending machines that are cash-free, only credit card transactions.
- sofixa 3y ago
  This is a no brainer. Who the hell carries around coins and bills in small denominations for vending machines that will refuse bills that are too wrinkled or might be falling apart? A simple tap is so much more practical. Not to mention the reduced risk of miscounting/counterfeit currency, or robbery.

aurareturn 3y ago

Likely due to crimes against businesses that hold cash at the retail location? And that if you pay cash, it’s harder to ask for tips. Plus, cash is just slower to transact and you have to spend resources to count and manage. The only advantage is if you want to scam the irs.