Speaking as someone who has been cashless for the past 3 weeks (too lazy to go to the ATM, plenty of cash in my checking account), a plastic life ins't too horrible. My primary complaint is with 2 aspects:
1) Slow bandwidth. Sometimes those who accept credit/debit cards use dial-up modems to authenticate. This causes me a few extra minutes in the checkout line and a few dirty looks from the people in line behind me. I visited a Home Depot today (for phone line punch-down baords, if you must know) and their system was lightening-quick. Every quicker than cash. With $40/mo. DSL lines, makes you wonder why the rest of businesses haven't signed up.
2) Lack of credit/debit card support. I want all my cabs to support this. I want fast-food restaurants to support this. Everytime I buy something, I should be able to swipe. (I understand the cab/wireless dilemma, but why doesn't Wendy's have swipe stalls at the drive-thru?)
We are 90% there in terms of economical technology. But there is still a sort of stigma associated with using a piece of plastic to buy things. Like you can't afford it. Why is this?
For the last few years it has been a rare occurance for me to have any cash in my pockets. It's just too much hassle, and when I have a few dollars in my pocket I fins it ends up going in vending machines or other such places. Working in downtown Houston, TX I found most resturants more than happy to take credit cards. Especiallyt he ones worth eating at. With a little looking around I've found deveral places around my house that accept credit card. For instace, Whataburger (Texas based hamurger place), some of the Burger Kings (desperate place ot eat), Schlotzkys (sp?), and several others accept credit card. And where they accept credit cards, they accept chekcing cards. I just haven;t sene the point of the added liability and inconvienance of carrying around paper money/coins. Especially I enjoy the fact my pants aren't falling down from all the damn change nor do I rattle when I walk.
unnghh (Score:2, Informative)
1) Slow bandwidth. Sometimes those who accept credit/debit cards use dial-up modems to authenticate. This causes me a few extra minutes in the checkout line and a few dirty looks from the people in line behind me. I visited a Home Depot today (for phone line punch-down baords, if you must know) and their system was lightening-quick. Every quicker than cash. With $40/mo. DSL lines, makes you wonder why the rest of businesses haven't signed up.
2) Lack of credit/debit card support. I want all my cabs to support this. I want fast-food restaurants to support this. Everytime I buy something, I should be able to swipe. (I understand the cab/wireless dilemma, but why doesn't Wendy's have swipe stalls at the drive-thru?)
We are 90% there in terms of economical technology. But there is still a sort of stigma associated with using a piece of plastic to buy things. Like you can't afford it. Why is this?
Re:unnghh (Score:1)