Don’t Kill Cash Petition

For many reasons, it's essential that we keep cash as a viable payment option. I believe that Which? are also running a campaign.

I've signed the petition.

Primrose
If you are selling possessions obviously you need to consider capital gains tax. You can’t simply say it’s never necessary to declare such transactions. I do make capital gains from time to time so please don’t suggest I don’t know what I’m talking about. Regardless of tax implications, I still say that insisting on paying £1500 in cash for a mattress is not the norm. Whatever you may think, most people would consider having big bundles of notes odd, even suspicious. People who deal in cash frequently do so because it’s not easy to trace.

dogsmother

I’m with GSM here primrose. I don’t think she’s being patronising at all but seems to me she knows exactly what she’s talking about. You can’t move with large wads of cash ( I mean travel ) without authorities wanting to know the ins and outs ….
It’s just a fact these days.

No she doesn’t know what she’s talking about in this instance. If you sell your own car or anything else of your own for that matter you do not have to report it to HMRC. Ridiculous suggestion.

There was a company up here recently asking for gold, broken watches, old banknotes, medals etc. I took some stuff I didn’t want any more and got £150. It’s my stuff and nothing to do with the tax man.

Im involved in the antiques trade where cash is still widely accepted at antiques fairs and markets, although most of us are also set up for card or other cashless payments. Try paying by card at a car boot sale! hahaha

I agree with GSM that the petition is poorly worded but I would not like to see cash disappear and doubt if it will in my lifetime. As for small businesses most post offices allow you to pay in cash for a main bank account so I dont see a problem there. I would prefer to see a petition which makes it compulsary to accept cash as a payment method.

It must be very difficult to manage without cash if you are homeless or have very little money. Cash can still be widely used in the supermarket, on public transport, and for paying other people who do jobs for you.

I'm not resistant to change - so, like others, rarely carry cash or have a need for it. I keep a coin box in the house for tips or ice creams - and that's it. I can't think of any reason to carry it with me as I take my credit and debit cards about. Maybe some people just need to get with the times?

*VBOOO *Some toilets we went in it was 40p I only had two 20pences (I always try to have a couple) so my husband said you go anyway turns out you could use your card lol how times have changed using your bank card to have a wee 😊

Nicenanny3

Both signed here although I'm guilty of nearly always using my card but people should have a choice.

Same here - we went to a large 3 day festival in a field last year, and the internet connection was poor. Everyone had been told it was to be a cashless event - luckily we had some cash on us, enough to buy food & drink, and weren't camping there!

I’m with GSM here primrose. I don’t think she’s being patronising at all but seems to me she knows exactly what she’s talking about. You can’t move with large wads of cash ( I mean travel ) without authorities wanting to know the ins and outs ….
It’s just a fact these days.

I sympathise with businesses refusing cash, particularly small businesses. As banks are closing, it is becoming more and more difficult to pay cash in. There are longer journeys carrying the cash and that becomes a safety problem, as does storing large sums of money until able to get it to the bank.

Having said that, I also feel for those who, for whatever reason, cannot or would rather not use cards. Cheques are rarely an option now either.

The only time I use cash is when I do my supermarket shop. I get change and then I can put that in my various tins for saving 20p and 50p
I really don’t want to go cashless, but it’s down the line and it’s heading to us…🤷‍♀️

I am mindful that not everyone is comfortable with a cashless society.

What about the joy of young children saving up their money in a piggy bank and then going to the toy shop to spend it?

Young children popping to the sweet shop with their pocket money from parents or grandparents?

I am aware that there are now cards targeted at children which can be loaded with money, but these cards have hefty charges which add up if there is more than one child in the and money is tight for families now…

Both signed here although I'm guilty of nearly always using my card but people should have a choice.

Cold
That works well when you have good internet connection. I m going to a concert at Sandringham next month. They have sent print at home tickets because the signal there is not reliable.
Not sure how that works for the traders.
If the King can’t guarantee connectivity then is there any hope for the rest of us?

Germanshepherdsmum

How else would you have expected to be alerted?

The message was on my answerphone at home.

karmalady

NotAGran55

I would always be suspicious of anyone who wanted to pay or be paid in large amounts of cash.

some groups like to pay in cash for weddings, funerals, horses, cars and so on

Luckily we don’t trade in any of those areas! 😅

Primrose53

NotAGran55

Primrose in our business I would consider £750 + dubious if one of the trades wanted to pay their bill to us in cash. We do reluctantly accept it but it is a pain in the neck.

Really? Wouldn’t bother us at all. At least it’s a bill paid. We would rather that than a non payer.

Yes, really. We run a legitimate business and don’t want to be associated with other’s dodgy dealings.
There is no reason why a tradesman would need to withdraw cash from a business account to pay a supplier. Their accountant would not condone it.

NotAGran55

I would always be suspicious of anyone who wanted to pay or be paid in large amounts of cash.

some groups like to pay in cash for weddings, funerals, horses, cars and so on

Really?

Germanshepherdsmum

I think you need some advice from an accountant Primrose. You have a very casual attitude to the way you make money, and the provenance of the cash you’re paid with.

And you have a very patronising attitude! I don’t need an accountant because I am not “making money” by selling my own unwanted belongings.

vintage1950

What about craft markets, small stallholders, local societies? Most of them at least prefer cash, because signals are often hard to establish and they have to pay for the device, much more of a fiddle than simply taking cash.

All of the above where I live (Sweden) take card or Swish(a cash transfer app on mobile phones) and have done for years. I've bought everything from cheese to Santas made from pine branches using card ... come to think of it - it was cashless at the pensioners' association plant sale and the year 6 bake sale as well.

My daughters' look at me as though I'm a sad person when I ask if we should take out cash although I do keep a tin of money for emergencies

I think you need some advice from an accountant Primrose. You have a very casual attitude to the way you make money, and the provenance of the cash you’re paid with.

Selling cars, motorcycles and boats aren’t what I would call small transactions. Primrose mentioned people having thousands. I don’t doubt that’s right. It’s not exactly car boot sales.

NotAGran55

Primrose in our business I would consider £750 + dubious if one of the trades wanted to pay their bill to us in cash. We do reluctantly accept it but it is a pain in the neck.

Really? Wouldn’t bother us at all. At least it’s a bill paid. We would rather that than a non payer.

Germanshepherdsmum

What you’re describing are the sort of activities which aren’t reported to HMRC, are they?

You seem a bit obsessed with this! If I sell my car or a bike I don’t need to tell HMRC.

If I clear out my spare room and sell the contents that’s nothing to do with HMRC.

We sold our horse box recently as we no longer use it and got a couple of thousand for that, that’s not HMRCs business either.
Next week we will be selling the ancient 4 x 4 we towed it with and that’s another couple of thousand hopefully. Guess what? That’s nothing to do with HMRC either.

Germanshepherdsmum

No Calli, I was talking about the sort of transactions Primrose mentioned.

But what happens t all these small, informal transactions if cash ceases to be an option?

I mentioned on another thread that some banks are refusing to take money collected in charity fundraising boxes eg for the Poppy Appeal.
They used to take the money, sorted into bags by volunteers, and weigh it.